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Frequently Asked Questions
FE Homesteading
General
Yes, Taro (Colocasia esculenta) grows well here. It's a wetland herbaceous perennial with large, heart-shaped leaves. Taro thrives in tropical or subtropical climates with temperatures between 77° to 95°F (25-35°C) and consistent moisture. It grows best in USDA zones 9-11. Plant Taro tubers 6 inches deep after the last frost or wait until the tuber gets shoots and plant with shoots exposed above the ground. Tubers take 12-18 months to mature, but you can harvest leaves 2-3 times a year. Note: Proper preparation and cooking are essential to avoid itchiness caused by acridity.
For planting recommendations, check out Seed the Stars, a small Florida business selling Florida-adapted seeds. Additionally, the University of Florida's "Florida Fresh" tool allows you to enter your zipcode to see what to plant each month. Click on any vegetable picture for detailed information on the best varieties for your area, planting instructions, harvest times, and more.
The Plant Stand is a Community project. It is FREE and works on a "Take a Plant - Leave a Plant" principle. The Plant Stand can not function without you. While we don't expect you to take one and leave one all on the same day, after you remove something, it would be lovely if you could add something back to it in the near future.
You can leave plants, seeds, etc. We just ask you not to leave whole fruits as it would attract Critters that would destroy them anyway.
The Plant Stand is located at the front short end of Flagler Estates at 9620 Huskens Avenue.
Please do not litter - we live here :)
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Growing sweet potatoes is a rewarding experience. Here's a brief guide: 1. Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil. 2. Plant sweet potato slips (young plants) after the last frost. 3. Space the slips 12-18 inches apart in rows 3 feet apart. 4. Water regularly and keep the soil moist. 5. Harvest in 90-120 days when the leaves start to yellow. For more detailed information, check out our blog post on growing sweet potatoes. If you have further questions, feel free to message us in the Homesteading Group.
Seminole pumpkins are a type of pumpkin native to Florida, particularly associated with the Seminole tribe, from which they take their name. These pumpkins are renowned for their resilience and adaptability to various growing conditions. They have a long history of cultivation by Native American tribes in Florida and were traditionally grown in the region for their nutritious flesh and seeds.
We ended up with 400lbs of Pumpkins from 2 seeds last year and decided to write down how to grow Seminole Pumpkins in this Blog post,(https://www.onourownhomestead.com/post/we-re-growing-seminole-pumpkins-again) including how to cure them so they'll last a year fresh in your Pantry. If there is anything we didn't address, though, please let me know, and I will do my best to add that information as well.
Last year, we grew Cassava, aka Yuca (not the same thing as Yucca), for the first time! We got a really good amount of harvest from the 10 we planted and when we were done, we gave away a ton of cuttings to our Homesteading neighbors. We had a TON left and I now had to figure out how to store it best so that it would survive until spring. We wrote a Blog Post about this, including how to plant it, how to take care of it, and how to harvest it.(https://www.onourownhomestead.com/post/cassava) If you have any lingering questions after reading this, please let me know and I'll be happy to answer them.
Hibiscus comes in a multitude of varieties and grows very well in Florida. Here, we'll talk about the two most common in our Gardens.
Hibiscus sabdariffa - Produces a Calyx that is edible and has a cranberry like tartness to it. Comes mostly with red "fruit" but there is also a White variety.
Hibiscus acetosella (cranberry Hibiscus) - Does not produce an edible Calyx, but does produce edible flowers and leaves that prolifically produce starting around November.
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They are essentially grown the same way and I've detailed this here (https://www.onourownhomestead.com/post/cranberry-hibiscus)
To evacuate your horses during a hurricane, join the EAST COAST EQUINE EMERGENCY and DISASTER RESPONSE / Fleet of Angels group on Facebook. This group connects equine owners with transporters, foster facilities, and other volunteers during natural disasters. Register for help at http://bit.ly/EquineHayAndSupplyRequest-FOA. Emergency transporters should register at https://www.NationalEquineEmergencyDirectory.com. For year-round assistance, use www.FleetOfAngels.org. Stay civil and professional in all communications. No fundraising without permission from Elaine Nash, Executive Director of Fleet of Angels.
Pruning a fig tree is essential for better harvests. Follow these steps: 1. Prune in late winter when the tree is dormant. 2. Remove any dead, diseased, or crossing branches. 3. Thin out the center to allow light and air to penetrate. 4. Cut back the main branches by about one-third to encourage new growth. 5. Maintain an open structure to support fruit production. Regular pruning helps improve the tree's health and increases fruit yield.
Creating a DIY rainwater catchment system is a great way to conserve water. Here's a simple method to get you started: 1. Choose a location for your rain barrel, ideally under a downspout. 2. Install a diverter to channel rainwater from the downspout into the barrel. 3. Use a fine mesh screen to cover the barrel opening to keep out debris and insects. 4. Attach a spigot near the bottom of the barrel for easy access to the collected water. 5. Elevate the barrel on cinder blocks to improve water flow. Remember, this is just one method, and there are many variations you can explore.
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