Vegetables and Herbs:

If you are a Vegetable gardener, you can still plant beets, broccoli, cabbage, collards, cauliflower, carrots, celery & lettuce. These plants will tolerate temperatures slightly below freezing but protect below 28 degrees. Cold hardy herbs can be planted as well- such as dill, parsley, rosemary, sage and thyme. By the end of February, you can start your vegetable container gardens- tomatoes and peppers will start appearing toward the end of February or early March.

If you want a great reusable container for herbs and vegetables- consider investing in an EarthBox. They work wonderfully for any type of vegetable or herb. Replant kits can be purchased for those customers who already have EarthBoxes.

If you are not ready to plant your vegetable garden yet, continue to get it ready.  Raised beds are a great option for Florida vegetables or use containers for a smaller quantity of plants.  Clean up stakes and tomato cages by removing all the dirt and use a bleach solution to kill any disease that may be lingering on them.

Design and Re-Design:

If you want to create and plant your own landscape VerdeGo makes it easy!  Our custom plant signage gives a wealth of information on plant size, lighting requirements and salt and deer tolerances.  Our Garden Center staff can show you a variety of selections that will work in your area.   Things to keep in mind for the do-it-yourselfer is to choose plants that will stay the appropriate size for your area,  know the lighting for the area to be planted (sun, shade, morning sun, afternoon sun) and whether you have deer or salt issues to factor in.   Bringing in some pictures and measurements with you is extremely helpful to our staff to assist you.

Deer Lists

There are any number of lists available from many sources that provide plants that are supposed to be deer resistant.  Unfortunately, none of these lists are a guarantee. With the rough winter we have had, many native plants have frozen down and that leaves your lovely garden even more attractive.  What may not have been on the menu last year will be on it this year. If you are starting a garden, check around your neighborhood and talk to neighbors to find out plants that work for them. Lists can be a guideline but we can “never say never” unfortunately.