Terra Freeman - Duval County Extension Office

October/ November 2014 Issue 1
Greetings!
Inside this Issue
Strawberries
Pg 2
Grower Spotlight
Pg 3
Cool Season Herbs
Pg 4
Growing Season Tips
Pg 4
Upcoming Programs
Pg 5
Local Farmer’s Markets Pg 5
According to the USDA, a
small farm is one with annual
gross sales of $250,000 or
less. Small farm operations
constitute 90% of all farm operations in Florida, providing
15% of all farm product sales
in the state.
As the new Small Farms and Alternative Enterprise Extension
Agent for UF/IFAS in Duval County, it is my mission to provide support
to farmers and other entrepreneurs in their agribusiness endeavors. We
are fortunate to have an array of farming operations in Duval County
including u-pick operations, vegetable farms, herb farms, Christmas tree
farms, hydroponic operations, and others. Whether you are growing
vegetable or fruit crops conventionally, organically, hydroponically or
aeroponically, or are a vermiculturist or beekeeper, I am here to provide
support, education, information, and connection to resources. In the
short time I have been in this position, I have already had the privilege
to meet many established farmers along with several budding entrepreneurs that I look forward to supporting as their business ventures blossom.
About my background: My family moved to northern Florida
twenty years ago while I was earning my undergraduate degree at Virginia Tech. After graduation I spent several years gaining experience in
the fields of horticulture and environmental education. In 2003, I received a Master of Arts in Landscape Design from the Conway School
of Landscape Design in Conway, Massachusetts, with a focus on sustainable landscape design and land planning. I spent the past ten years
in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, honing my horticulture, landscape
design, and business skills by operating as the sole-proprietor of
Grounds For Nature, a native plant and herb nursery and ecological
landscape design firm. I am excited to have joined the Duval County
Extension team as I feel this position is a natural transition from being a
grower and a business owner to providing support for farmers and other
entrepreneurs. While I have long considered Florida my home base, I
am very excited to have officially moved here and look forward to establishing roots, both literally and figuratively.
Terra Freeman, Extension Agent II,
Small farms and Alternative Enterprises
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information, and other services only to
individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin,
political opinions, or affiliations. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A&M University Cooperative Extension
Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating.
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Growing Strawberries for Profit
Fragaria x ananassa is the most common commercially produced strawberry worldwide. Strawberries prefer well-drained, moist but not wet,
sandy soils that have been amended with organic matter and have a slightly acidic pH of 5.5 to
6.5. They require at least 8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
In order for development of fruit and flowers to
occur on most strawberry varieties, temperatures must remain between 50 and 80 degrees
Farenheight with day lengths of 14 hours or less.
We are fortunate to have this combination of
temperature and day length throughout much of
our fall, winter, and spring, making October and
November the ideal months for planting strawberries in our region. Flowering and fruit production begins in November and continues into April
or May. Expect to start harvesting strawberries
in January.
with a protective polypropylene row cover on
certain nights.
“Everbearing” varieties of strawberries are not
well suited for Florida, so when selecting your
plants make sure to choose ones that do well in
our climate. The following varieties are best
suited for our region and are capable of producing 1 to 2 pints of fruit per plant throughout the
Because the highest quality fruit tends to be pro- season:
duced on younger plants with a maximum of four
to five branched crowns, strawberries are treat- ‘Florida Radiance’: Produces large, uniform,
ed as annuals, although they are perennial by
moderatley firm, conic fruit with deep- red glossy
nature, with new ones being planted each fall.
appearance. Good shipping quality and has flexAnother reason for replanting each year is to re- ible skin that is moderately resistance to rain
duce carrying diseases or nematodes from
damage.
one year to the next.
‘Camarosa’ : A productive early- season short
While the climate in Northern Florida is mostly
day variety that produces large, flat conic, firm
ideal for strawberries, the flowers and fruit can
fruit with good flavor and appearance.
be damaged by air temperatures below 32 degrees. It may be necessary to provide plants
‘Sweet Charlie’: Due to soft fruit, it is not
grown on large scale commercial productions,
but remains a favorite for u-pick operations because of its high early yield and low-acid flavor.
References: Strawberries in The Florida Garden;
Stephens, James M.;HS509
Strawberry Production; Santos, Peres, Whitaker, Dittmar,
Smith, and Olson; HS736
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Local Grower
Spotlight:
Cunningham’s
Costus speciosus,
Herbs
Turmeric
Linda Cunningham, owner of Cunningham’s
Herbs, in Jacksonville, has been cultivating
herbs in her nursery for thirty years. She
grows an abundance of rare, hard to find
culinary and medicinal plants including African blue basil, Greek columnar basil, bay
rum tree, variegated tapioca, turmeric, star
anise tree, pomegranate, kiwi, eucalyptus,
Artemisia, lemongrass, upright and prostrate
rosemary, lavender, mother of thyme, gotu
kola, coriander, culantro, juju bee tree,
toothache plant, guava, scented geraniums
(lots!), gingko, bo- tree, Costa Rican mint
(lots of mints), and bay tree. This is just a
small sampling of the myriad of plants growing in her nursery.
In addition to being a horticulturist, Linda is
also an herbal artist, creating beautiful cards
and other works of art from pressed flowers.
I picked up a bottle of tarragon infused in
white balsamic vinegar during my visit that I
can’t wait to try. If you are in the market for
some exceptionally unique plants or herbal
works of art, I highly recommend visiting
Cunningham’s Herbs either during a scheduled appointment, or during one of her annual Herbal Faires. It is well worth the trip to
experience the nursery for yourself.
Cunningham’s Herbs is open by appointment. Linda Cunningham can be reached by
phone at 904-725-3106 or e-mail at
[email protected]. You can follow her informative facebook page at https://
www.facebook.com/CunninghamsHerbs.
Manihot esculenta
‘Variegata’,
Variegated Tapioca
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Cool Season Herbs
People are not the only ones responding favorably to the cooler autumnal temperatures. Fall is an excellent time for planting perennial herbs such as lavender, rosemary, sage, oregano, mint, sage, rosemary, thyme, fennel, onion chives, salad burnet, and upland cress. Annuals such as chervil, german chamomile, and coriander
also respond well to the shorter days and cooler nights.
Coriandrum sativum- 2 for 1 deal!
If you like a bargain, this herb is for you! Coriandrum sativum produces leaves commonly known
as cilantro, while the aromatic seeds are known as the spice coriander (harvested when the tiny
fruits turn brown, about 3 months from seed). This fast growing annual thrives in the fall and winter
as it requires cooler evenings (hot weather causes it to bolt) and is hardy to 25 degrees. Coriandrum requires full to part sun and well-drained soil as it has a tap root. Mature plants reach 36
inches. The seeds of this plant are as adaptable as the uses, as they can be sown in the fall, winter, or spring. Cilantro is an important ingredient in salsa, so be sure to market this herb to your local chefs a well as your farmers market clientele.
Growing Season Tips
Soil Testing
October and November are the months to plant
your fields and high tunnels with beets, broccoli,
brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower,
celery, Chinese cabbage, collards, garlic, kale,
kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, mustard, onions (bulbing
and bunching), parsley, radish, rutabaga,
spinach, swiss chard, and turnips. Want to try
something different to boost your sales this season? Edible flowers such as nasturtium, viola,
and calendula make a unique and attractive
compliment to salad greens.
Florida’s sandy soils are often lacking in nutrients and other attributes that are necessary for
healthy plant growth. UF/IFAS Extension Soil
Testing Laboratory can test for pH, lime requirements, major nutrient levels (P, K, Ca,
Mg), micronutrient levels (Cu, Mn, Zn), as well
as irrigation water quality. If you have not tested your soils recently, stop by our office to pick
up a producer soil test form, bag and mailing
box, or go online to http://soilslab.ifas.ufl.edu/
to download a form. Along with the results of
your soil test, you will receive
standard fertilizer and lime
recommendations based on
the crops you are growing.
Contact me with any questions you may have regarding
how to take and submit a soil
sample for your commercial
growing needs at
[email protected].
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Upcoming Programs
Chef’s Garden: Herb and Edible Flower Gardening for Professional Chefs
Interested in expanding your menu and marketing to include fresh herbs and edible flowers from
your restaurant garden? This program is designed to teach the basics of growing herbs and edible
flowers to professional chefs, caterers, and culinary arts students.
Wednesday, October 29, 2014, 1:00– 2:30 PM
Duval County Extension. 1010 N McDuff Ave., Jacksonville, FL, 32254.
To register please call (904) 255-7450, e-mail [email protected],
or register online at http://herbgardeningforchefs.eventbrite.com/
$10.00 Registration Fee online or at door.
Drip Irrigation School/ UF/IFAS Small Farms Academy
Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014 at 8:30 AM - Wednesday, Nov 19, 2014 at 1:00 PM
Live Oak, FL
To register, please follow link on UF/ IFAS Small Farms and Alternative Enterprise Website:
http://smallfarms.ifas.ufl.edu/
This workshop is perfect for small farms trying to achieve greater productivity and earliness in their
vegetable production. A drip irrigation system, when properly designed, maintained, and operated,
can be a productive asset for a small farm. This hands-on workshop will teach participants how to
set up, use, and maintain their own system.
Farmer’s Markets in Duval County
Beaches Green Market
Jarboe Park
301 Florida Blvd, Neptune Beach
Saturdays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
www.beacheslocalfoodnetwork.org
Farmers Market of San Marco
1661 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville
Saturdays 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Jaxsons Night Market
Downtown Jacksonville at the corner of Adams
and Laura
Every third Thursday 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Mid-Week Market
Bull Memorial Park
716 Ocean Blvd, Atlantic Beach
Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
White Harvest Farms and Farmer’s
Market– Grand Opening!Sat. Oct. 25, noon to 3:00 p.m.
5348 Moncrief Rd, Jacksonville
www.clarawhitemission.org
Jacksonville Farmers Market
1780 West Beaver Street, Jacksonville
7 days a week, 5:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
www.jaxfarmersmarket.com/
Riverside Arts Market
Under the Fuller Warren Bridge,
March -Dec. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
www.riversideartsmarket.com/
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Duval County Extension
1010 N. McDuff Avenue
Jacksonville, FL 32254
(904) 255-7450
Fax: (904) 387-8902
http://duval.ifas.ufl.edu
Address Service Requested
Small Farms and Alternative Enterprise Website
If you haven’t already discovered the small farms and alternative enterprises website
at http://smallfarms.ifas.ufl.edu/about_us.html, I encourage you to visit as it is an excellent source of information on planning and managing your farm, IPM, crops, organic production, food safety, livestock and forages, and much more. If you are looking for advice for your small farm or if you have an idea for a program or service that
you would like to see offered, please contact Terra Freeman at [email protected] or call
(904)255-7450. I look forward to working with you!
If you would like to be added to the Grower’s Gazette mailing list, please e-mail
[email protected]
Terra Freeman, Small Farms and Alternative Enterprise Extension Agent II
Extension information and services are available to all individuals regardless of race, color, sex or national origin. The information
given herein is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that
no endorsement by the Extension Service is implied. For persons with hearing or speech impairments, when contacting our office,
please use the Florida Relay Service at 1-800-955-8771 (TDD).
This newsletter is jointly sponsored by the University of Florida/IFAS Extension, Dr. Nick Place, Dean, City of Jacksonville, Alvin
Brown, Mayor and the UF/IFAS Extension Duval County, Mike Sweat, Director.
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