November in the Florida Vegetable Garden

November is the month to see changes for the good in a Florida vegetable garden. It is still hot in central Florida. Our air-conditioner is still running day and night, but the extreme heat is gone. The vegetable seedlings are showing signs of happiness.

Planting Schedule

This is only my second year of vegetable gardening here in zone 9B. I have a lot to learn still, but have also learned a lot already.

September is a hot month. But I planted some carrots and radishes and they grew. Also, I planted beets in September.

This year I discovered that I can plant Daikon radish early. I put the seeds in the ground on September 1st, and they grew. I’ve never eaten one. A second batch was planted in October.

As a plus, I pulled up the old watermelon vine and found another planting space! I put golden beet seeds here on November 11th.

Also, an early crop of carrot seeds has done well. Those seeds were planted in mid-September into a fabric bag. I have since been planting carrots every few weeks wherever I find space.

Plagued by two hurricanes back to back this Fall – Hurricane Milton was the biggest problem. We had Category 1 winds with gusts to over 100mph. The cherry tomato looked completely dead. I’m glad I did not give up on it, because it looks wonderful now! The type is Apricot Cherry tomatoes – seeds purchased from Annies Heirloom Seeds. This is where I also bought my golden beet seeds.

I did try to grow some cruciferous veggies early, but that didn’t work. Also early cucumbers got bugs and died. I re-planted broccoli and it is finally beginning to take off. Broccoli seeds are not worth planting early.

Today, November 12th, the broccoli is finally doing well. Also, I have a few cucumber plants that do not yet have bugs. Could it be that I get to eat a cuke one day?

Luffa squash did not grow for me over summer. Now the vine is growing and has beautiful yellow flowers each day. The honey bees come to it each morning. Even if I never get a luffa, the plant is good for beneficial bees.

Egyptian spinach was something new to try. I dislike it, but it keeps growing. If you want something easy to grow – get this stuff. It has seed pods and spreads. I have cut it back and it re-grows. The flowers are very tiny and yellow and I have seen some bees go to them. All in all, I won’t plant more. Right now it is taking up garden space and I will eventually rip it out.

Planting Seeds in Pots

I mixed up some soil and planted some long, purple eggplant seeds. After telling myself to NEVER GROW PEPPERS AGAIN, I ordered pepper seeds (oh boy) and will put some into pots. I’m a little mad at myself. I love peppers and add them to all my food. It would be perfect to get them fresh from the yard. I’m prepared to be disappointed, but am a little hopeful yet.

I’ll grow the seeds on this table outside, but can bring the pots in if we get really cold weather. I’ll put the plants into the ground in early spring.

Eggplants grow for a few years in this climate before they begin to look bad and have to be cut down. The ones in my yard are mostly older so I want a few new ones to replace them. I don’t love eating eggplant, but I will use it when it grows. The plants themselves are excellent for attracting lady bugs, are carefree to grow, and have very few pest problems that really bother the plant. Raccoons leave them alone too!! I also like the looks of the plant with its big fuzzy leaves and purple flowers. It’s like having cute little trees in the garden.

In my experience, the long thin purple eggplant grew the best. Other larger purple eggplants were also good, but not as prolific. The Rosita type had a lot of bug problems and I got only one to eat! Not worth the trouble.

The long purple eggplants are my favorite. They don’t have to be salted to remove the bitterness, and can be chopped and sautéed with other veggies. They grow to about the size of a long hotdog and then can be picked. I will be planting this type from now on.

Photos from a previously grown, long purple eggplant.

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