Let’s Grow Some Vegetables!

Why shop at Esposito’s? The variety! Unlike the big box stores, we purchase our veggies from several different growers, not just one. This means more variety and more options when it comes to package size. Good luck finding a better assortment! Right now, we have several varieties of eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, squash, and a huge assortment of herbs. We receive several new shipments each week throughout the planting season, so you’ll always have plenty to choose from.

Tips For Growing Veggies!

Location, Location, Location…Most veggies need at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Gardens that receive ample sunlight tend to produce bigger plants and higher yields. Make sure you situate your garden near a reliable water source – does your hose reach okay? Avoid areas that are overly sloped, exposed to strong winds, or prone to flooding.

You Get Back What You Put In…The health of your soil can make or break your veggie gardening experience. Healthy soil should be moist, well draining, dark in color, and rich in nutrients. There is plenty you can do to boost the quality of poor soil. Some of our favorite additives include: Michigan Peat, Mushroom Compost, Worm Castings, and Black Kow aged manure.

Start Small…Growing your own veggies isn’t difficult, but it does require some effort. If you’re just getting started, exercise restraint and only plant the veggies you know you will eat (and water). It’s better to have one raised bed that’s full of high quality soil and is regularly watered, than it is to have 10 sub-par garden beds that are often neglected.

Get Ready For Rain…In Florida, a few things are guaranteed: it will be hot, and there will be rain. Prepare in advance by mulching your beds to improve moisture retention (and smother weeds), and applying a fungicide to prevent potential outbreaks before they start. We like Copper fungicide, but you can also use Neem oil for an organic approach.

Don’t Let Weeds Take Over…Do yourself a favor and pull your weeds early and often. Do not underestimate their ability to grow, well…like weeds! It doesn’t take long for weeds to start dropping seeds and taking over the bed, so it’s crucial to pluck ’em before they get to that point. You can use a weed barrier, mulch, or a combination of the two to help cut down on the number of weed seeds which are able to sprout. While pre-emergent weed control isn’t safe for use in the veggie garden, we do recommend using it in the rest of the yard to cut down on the number of weeds in the general area. Weed seeds are easily transported via wind, water, and animals, so if you have an abundance of weeds in one area of the yard, it won’t be long until they end up in another. Now is the perfect time to apply pre-emergent to the lawn, along with fertilizer.

Water Deeply…When it comes to watering, you want to water deeply, and consistently. When water is consistently delivered to the roots of your vegetable plants, the roots are encouraged to grow deeper and spread wider. A more robust root system means better resistance to drought and better nutrient uptake, which results in an improved resistance to disease. Try to water your veggies about the same amount each time, adding up to about 2 inches per week. Some veggies, like tomatoes, are prone to developing cracks when they suddenly receive more water than they are accustomed to, so consistency is key!

Choose The Right Fertilizer.

Apply Espoma’s Bio-Tone directly around roots at the time of planting. This product encourages faster root development, better nutrient uptake, and healthier overall growth.

Use Espoma’s Tomato-Tone every 14 days after planting tomatoes. This product contains 8% added calcium to prevent the dreaded blossom end rot which is a common issue faced by tomatoes.

Use Espoma’s Garden-Tone on the rest of your vegetables, every 14 days after planting. This product may also be used to fertilize herbs, immediately after planting, or following a large harvest.