September 2002 Table of Contents

ABACO GARDENING

The gardening year in Abaco starts in September so it’s time to gird up your loins and get ready for a productive season.

Vegetables grow best during the cooler months of October to March but seeds can be started earlier so that young plants can take full advantage of the cooler weather. The problem is, at this damp time of year seedlings are subject to damping off. They grow a couple of inches tall and then heel over.

One way to reduce damping off, wilt and other diseases which affect seedlings is to grow them in those plastic containers that strawberries and other fruits come in these days. Half fill a container with potting soil and spray enough water to just dampen the soil rather than wet it. Plant your seeds - tomatoes, peppers, etc - and close the lid and place the container in a semi-shaded position. You should not have to add any more water as the container will keep much of the moisture in.

Before planting the seedlings into the ground in their final position you will need to harden them by, over the space of a week, letting them have more sun each day. Plant tomato seedlings deep and pepper seedlings exactly level with the ground.

Don’t forget Pine Woods Nursery and their selection of seedlings which usually arrive in September. A six pack of eggplant seedlings is my staple every year, along with fresh herb starts. Many of the herbs are planted a dozen to the pot and need to separated to give them enough space to grow to full size.

There should be little in the way of pruning or fertilizing to do this month unless you have just arrived on the island for the winter season. In that case, don’t forget that even though hibiscus and other flowering shrubs seem to do fine without much care and attention, they do better with some TLC.

September 2002 Table of Contents