Your Questions About Gardening

GardenersCardiff answers:

There’s a lot to know about coffee, and if you’re at square zero, you might want to consider a franchise to start with (Starbucks, Beaners, ect). They’ll give you the training and information you would need to get on your feet, and after it starts turing a profit, you would just sell your shares, take your knowledge and open your own store.

The wikipedia article listed here gives a good rundown of the basics of coffee, the history, where it’s grown and some other essentials. Should provide a good starting point if nothing else.

Good luck to you. Nothing like a good cup of coffee.

GardenersCardiff answers:

Blueberries- Grows well if you amend the soil to be acidic. You can do this by adding pine straw or coffee grounds or other acidic organics.

Apple- Some varieties will do well, others require too many chilling hours.

Cherries- Same as apples; Hansens bush is a good variety but the cherries are small.

Avocado- Maybe. Probably not because they are not very cold tolerant and Jacksonville does get frost.

Green onion (scallion)- They grow well, especially in the fall and early winter and again during early spring.

Ginger- Does well; I have three varieties growing in NW Florida.

Lime- Yes, but you may need some protection during some winters; most will be fine without protection.

Cauliflower- Grows well as a fall or winter crop and decent as an early spring crop. Do not attempt as a summer crop as it not do well during the summer heat.

Tomato- Absolutely. Almost any variety does well from spring to fall. Relatively easy to grow and most varieties produce abundantly under less-than-ideal conditions.

Other crops for the area:
Peppers, sweet and hot varieties.

Corn-Many varieties of open pollinated and hybrids

potatoes- early spring plantings work best; if planted too late they will not produce a large crop

sweet potatoes- orange, yellow, purple varieties all do well but require a long growing season. Start as early as possible but remember; they are not cold tolerant so be sure there is no frost expected. If an unexpected frost does develop cover with plastic or pine straw until the frost melts.

Squash- summer and winter varieties, plant in spring. (winter squash are so called because they keep well into the winter, not because of the season they are grown)

okra- if you like okra it is one of the best producers in most gardens. Pickled okra is an excellent snack for you and your kids, if you have any.

Field peas (black-eye, cream zippers, pink eye purple hulls, etc) plant between the stalks of corn when the corn is about 1 foot tall; the corn provides a natural climbing area for the vines.

Sweet peas- plant in fall and again in early spring; they like the cool weather. Plant in a wide row (2 feet or more) several feet long and they will intertwine without support

beets, turnips, rutabagas, collards, kale, mustard greens, oriental cabbage, cabbage- plant these in the fall and you can have fresh greens and roots the entire winter.

I’m sure there are others; these are the ones I have had excellent results from in my own garden.

Good luck and enjoy!

GardenersCardiff answers:

I hope you have a single room, or if not it’ s a project your roomie is a part of.

I grew once in my dorm room during college. You will need the following:
*a grow lamp minimum 400 watt metal halide or hps.
*a fan for ventilation
*pots-remember a plant can only get as big as the roots allow
*potting soil
*fertilizer-something for tomatos will be fine, unless you really want to get fancy
*electric timer (like for lights when you are on vacation)
*thermometer
*seeds-the plant’s potentcy is genetically determined, so get the best quality seeds you can

you’d really better get a book or look online for the method, as it’s far too much for me to type here. I’ll give you the basics.

Germinate the seeds directly in soil you’ve added to a dixie cup. Many sources will tell you other methods, but this way will put the least stress on your baby plants, and thus raise the chances for female plants. Put the seeds a little under the soil, add water, and cover with plastic wrap. Keep in a warm dark place. When you see something sprouting, uncover the top and bring to sunlight.

Next, when the plants have grown a few inches gently transplant the seedlings to the larger pots and give light from the grow lamp 16 hrs/day. Early on, make sure the lamp isn’t too close to the plants as they are young and fragile. You don’t want to burn them with this powerful lamp. Also, always make sure the plants are well ventilated by the fan. Keep the tempurature in the growroom at around 65 degrees.

When they’ve grown a bit, bring the lamp a little closer and continue the 16hr/day lights. Add fertilizer once a week or 10 days. Continue this way for 4-6 weeks. Of course water the plants when the soil gets dry to the touch. Stick your finger in the dirt an inch or two down to determine when they need water. You’ll get a feel for it after a week or so.

After, you’re ready for flowering. Reduce light to 12 hours light 12 hours darkness. Complete darkness is essential.

Ok, my fingers are tired and i need to drink my coffee. Do some research and you’ll be all good. An important part of growing is telling NOBODY until harvest day. Be smart, you don’t wanna get ripped off or busted. Good luck