March Gardening To-Do List for Growing Zones 9-11

For those of us in the warmer USDA growing zones, this time of year often marks the transition on our homesteads. The annual veggie beds are in full production mode, and we still have a couple more months left for raised bed and main crop gardening. However, this month is when the food forest starts to wake up from the winter rest period. And gosh… did those trees ever have a rough winter! If you need tips on how to help them recover, we recently posted a free class on this. WATCH ON YOUTUBE

Mangoes are mainly in “healing mode”, avocados have been blooming like crazy, and most of the stone fruits have even started to set their fruit. Other fruit trees are waking up and now is the time to focus on food forest preparation for the season! Also, there is a new Podcast episode out with some extra nerdy tips on plant recovery, foliar sprays, and helping the ones that are the most severely damage. It’s a deeper dive and difference approach than the class version on Youtube.

So, as the season shifts to warmer temps, here’s a list of what you should be doing in you garden and food forest in March, if you live in warmer, tropical climates (USDA Zones 9-11). Granted, weather isn’t exactly a science… well, it is… it’s just not a predictable one. Keep a close eye on your weather this month and adjust your planting accordingly. If you are unsure what growing zone you are in, watch this video tutorial.

Without further delay, ladies and gentlemen, here is March Gardening To-Do List!

March Gardening To-Do List (Zones 9-11)

Cover crop with daikon radish, winter wheat, and field peas

In the Garden

Take soil tests and send to your local extension office. Take samples from each area of your yard and make sure to get the detailed report. The most important part for me is not the NPK… it’s the amount of organic matter! Generally speaking if you have a higher percentage of organic material in your soil, the rest of the soil health will follow suit.
Fertilize: Make minor amendments before the spring rains (add blood meal, compost, fish emulsion, and kelp). Many people settle with a short-term “solution” of applying an NPK fertilizer, but a better longterm solution would be to focus on soil building through organic matter, manure, and compost.

TIP – Spread chicken poop and hay from the nesting boxes on the compost pile and get it working before the weather gets insanely hot.

Annuals to plant via seed: Okra, peppers, eggplant, more nasturtiums and marigolds (to deter garden pests), pumpkins, squash, and gourds. Also don’t forget to stagger your herb planting (basil, tulsi, ashwagandha, etc) by planting a few every week.
Annuals to plant outdoors: arugula, beans, borage, carrots, corn, cucumbers, okra, another round of onions, seminole pumpkins (Florida), squash, sweet potato slips, tomatoes (especially Everglade tomatoes), and watermelon.
Plant tender tropical greens: Longevity spinach, Okinawa spinach, Surinam spinach, Brazilian spinach, Auntie Lili’s Bele Hibiscus, South Sea Salad, etc. Don’t plant all you have yet, in case we still get another frost, but start putting some out in your more protected areas.

Calendula – used for tea, ointments, creams, etc.

In the Greenhouse

Plant seed trays: tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, roselle (Jamaican Sorrel), Cranberry hibiscus, Katuk, etc. Start perennial seeds for food forest planting: goji berries, trees from seed (like Moringa), etc. Also, start food forest items like Roselle, cranberry hibiscus, elderberry cuttings, sugar cane, and bananas from cuttings / seeds.
Fertilize orchids well this month

TIP: Always plants more than what you think you’ll need. The worst case scenario is that you have some to share with neighbors, friends, or gorilla plant in a local park.

Nasturiums planted under trees and near tomatoes.

In the Food Forest

Break up any large sticks and twigs. They will decompose much faster if they are in direct contact with the soil.
Remove leaf cover from the soil and use as a mulch around the base of trees / bushes (cover the sticks). You can chop it up a bit with the mower if the leaves are still crispy.
Plant alley crops between rows and plantings. In zone 9, personally love planting Durana clover, red clover, chicory, and winter wheat. I also planted some Hairy Vetch in a few spots to stop erosion. Sunn hemp should be purchased now and planted the first of April.
Plant living mulches around the base of the trees (clover, Bocking 14 comfrey root, borage, nasturtiums, etc.)
Spray your spring foliar spray on every perennial in the food forest! Get the recipe here.
Add fresh mulch to trees and shrubs (up to 5-8″ thick). Remember to always keep the mulch away from the trunks of the trees.
Fertilize fruit trees and berry bushes with blood meal and compost NOW! You could also additionally use kelp, azomite, and epsom salts. If you want a more ready-to-go organic fertilizer, I prefer this one.

March 1-15th: Plant cold tolerant trees: peach, plum, nectarine, blueberries, elderberries, pear, apple, etc.

March 15-30th: Plant tropical trees (if the 30-day forecast looks warm): avocado, mango, strawberry tree, tropical cherries, etc.

Simple birdhouses using old license plates

In the Shed

Sharpen mower blades and all cutting tools.
Oil any metal that rusted over the winter. Remove tarnish with steel wool. Ax heads should be treated with bees wax.
Check for broken pots from winter cold.
Set a few extra mouse traps in the shed, greenhouse, and garage.
Start up the mower, weed whipper, and other tools for the first time. If you have difficulty starting them, you can always use a bit of Sea Foam to get things moving. Use two ounces per gallon of gas. It will work wonders!

Poultry and Livestock

Remove winter bedding, if you used the deep bedding method.
Deep clean…deep clean…deep clean! We use Shaklee’s Basic H2, because it’s organic and will also take care of mites, lice, etc.
Lower fat content (corn) and increase protein sources. If you are doing a mealworm farm, it’s a great time to give the girls an extra boost!
Feed extra omega-3’s. Get some feeder fish (minnows) from a local pet store and put them in a shallow pan. Watch your chooks go nuts for them!
Use honey, garlic, and ACV in their water once per week to give them an extra immune boost before the springtime. I also add a product for livestock by SCD Probiotics based out of KCMO.
Prepare for spring pasture planting and order your pasture seed mixes now. Focus on seed mixes that have 10-15 varieties of seed… never do a single type of seed. Depending on the location, many mixes can be planted later this month.

Basic H for deworming livestock and cleaning the barn / coop

Around the House

Clean out the gutters from any winter debris, especially oak leaves.
Remove winter window treatments and wash windows (inside and out).
Power-wash the sides of the house, cement, and garage doors. We use Basic H2 for this as well, because it organically takes care of mold and mildew easily.
Oil doors and hinges (interior and exterior).
Prune any trees around the yard before leaf buds begin to open.

In the Perennial Flower Beds

Finish cutting back any dead growth from last year.
Remove leaves or debris from the top of bulb areas, leaving only compost or wood chips. The debris should be composted and added back to the beds later.
Start planning mulch and compost deliveries now. Look for sales or companies to bring it to you in bulk.
You can also plant cold season annual flowers at this time as well. Snap dragons, violas, pansies, begonias, and calendulas do great this time of year. Generally speaking, I am also planting a packet of annual seeds every week (like zinnia, celosia, cosmos, and sunflower) for late spring blooms.
Spring sow any native wildflowers.

TIP: Never use mulch that has been colored or dyed (red or black). Let’s just use our heads on why that’s a bad idea

Ideas for Kids

Feed native wild birds before nesting season starts in order to encourage them to live in your area. They are fantastic bug control and leave behind little bits of birdie poo.
Hang wild bird houses and bat houses before nesting season begins.
Fill the bird baths or make a new one. Birds need feed, water, and places to hide and raise their young. If you provide each of these, you will be set up for an exciting spring birdwatching season.
Set out orange halves and grape jelly to attract early migrating orioles.

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January 13, 2026February 9, 2026

How to Plant a Food Forest | Part 4 INSTALLING

Planting a food forest can seem a tad daunting when you do it for the first time, so don’t try to figure it all out on your own. We’ve got you! This article will teach you the basics steps of how to plant a food forest. Each of these has an accompanying video, so you can even see the process in action.

How to Plant a Food Forest with Pro-Tips

Step 1 – Burn or Remove Existing Grass

When getting started, it is important to prepare the soil for the new food forest. There are multiple ways to do this, and a longer explanation of the options can be found in the second article of this series. In this particular case, we are choosing the burning method using a propane torch weeder.

This method works really well for an initial soil reset, and puts the carbon from the weeds and grasses back into the soil. The burning method is also much faster than solarizing, running chickens through, or using horticultural vinegar. To see the video of this being demonstrated, click here.

Step 2 – Layout the Food Forest on Top of Contractor Paper

Instead of using plastic weed barriers (which not only do not work, but also leach micro plastics into the soil), use two layers of contractor paper. Contractor paper can be found in the painting section of most hardware / box stores. It is recommended to do this on a day with less wind and place a few plants as the paper is rolled out (so it doesn’t blow away). This paper layer will last long enough to suppress weeds as the food forest gets established and will decompose naturally. Watch the video on this step.

Once the contractor paper is in place, start laying out the food forest. Picking out plants and placing them can be a challenge, so there is a more in-depth article on that topic. Click here to read. It is ideal to find a local fruit tree and berry bush source, but sometimes I also enjoy ordering them bare root online. They are cheeper to ship than potted plants and can be potted up upon arrival, which gives more bang for the buck. Not to mention, potting them up for a few months in organic soil mix allowed them to get established after arriving in the mail. In fact, I prefer to have them potted a couple months to ease transplant shock. Personally, I have a lot of plants (including those in this article) from FoodForestNursery.com because they have plants for USDA zones 4-10. They specialize in edible plants across multiple growing zone range, and ship them bare root. Use the code: permaculturefx10 for a little discount.

Step 3 – Compost and Wood Chip Mulch

After burning, removing weeds, and laying out the new food forest, it’s time to start building the soil structure. One of the biggest mistakes I see when people plant a tree is they don’t use compost and wood chips to protect the newly planted tree or bush. Or, they skimp on the wood chips thinking “a little dab will do ya”, and it just doesn’t work that way. There are many ways to give a new tree the initial boost, but adding 1-2″ of compost, followed by 6″+ deep of wood chips is (by far) the most successful method I have used across all growing zones. Don’t skimp on the compost and wood chips – trust me on this one.

One key point when planting fruit trees is to remember: “plant them high and they will fly OR plant them too low and they’ll grow slow”. There is most definitely a right / wrong way to plant a fruit tree, so be sure to read the supplemental article for more information on this subject. If you prefer to watch a video on How to Compost and Mulch, we have that option available as well.

And again, try to maintain adequate wood chips around your fruit trees at all times. As these break down, they will nourish your tree, maintain moisture, and keep the grass away from the tree. Grasses take up a LOT of nutrients, thus competing with fruit trees and berry bushes. So, get the mulch on nice and thick, and your plants will thank you!

Step 4: Edging and Burning for Easy Maintenance

After mulching the new food forest area – it’s time to polish up the look a bit. Adding edging (logs, stones, pavers, etc.) can really help keep the grass out of the food forest, give a cleaner look, and make maintenance and mowing much easier.

Even though this extra step takes a little bit of extra work, it really does make a big difference in cleaning up the lines and edges. Here’s a video example of this step.

One of the best aspects of adding the border and burning next to it is the practical aspect of keeping grasses and running weeds out of the food forest area. This is especially important for those wanting to have a more formal and put together design, because it keeps lines clean and lessens long-term maintenance.

Step 5: Planting Between the Young Trees & Adding Decorations

When a food forest is young, it’s hard to imagine how much it will grow in just a few years. Remember, fruit trees and berry bushes take patience to allow them to get established. The first year, they will “creep” along in their growth. Year two they will “grow” and push some new green branches. But it’s in the third year that they truly “leap”. For most growing zones, however, it will take about 5 years for mature production levels.

So, for the first few years, there is an opportunity to plant native flowers, annuals, or other short-term plants between the fruit trees until they get established. Think about some native wildflowers that are hardy in your area and will potentially reseed themselves year-after-year. Alternatively, the mulch can be pulled back in a few areas to make a trench to add compost and plant annual vegetables right there in the food forest! This step can help the food forest look fuller for the first few seasons until the new trees come into their own.

Lastly, consider making the food forest personal. Pick out a few decorative items: statues, stones, a bird bath, bird feeding station, a wind chime, etc. These little whimsical notes help make the food forest an enjoyable place that will invite visitors closer with an interactive experience.

NEXT STEPS for the New Food Forest

Once the food forest is planted, it’s time to grow, learn, and engage with the new ecosystem. As land stewards, there are always ways we can connect with our space to help create abundance. Consider signing up for our free monthly gardening and food forest calendar (click here) , so you have a seasonal tip-list of how you can connect to your land.

Additionally, consider joining us on Patreon for on-going homestead mentorship, a growing library of full length classes, and a PDF resource library for your farm and garden.

As always, if you need help creating a design (in-person, virtually, etc.), our design services are always just a click away. These designs will give you a 20+ year plan for your food forest and homestead, so you can get on the fast-track to planting and experiencing abundance.

I’ll see you next time… in the Garden.

FULL FOOD FOREST BLOG SERIES

Part 1: Myths about Planting a Food Forest

Part 2: How to Prepare the Soil for a Food Forest

Part 3: Selecting the Right Plants for a Food Forest

Part 4: How to Install a Food Forest

January 2, 2026January 5, 2026

January Garden To-Do List for Zones 9-11

If you are reading this from a cold climate zone, however, please CLICK HERE for your January Garden to-do list. Now, without further rambling…

Here are some our hit list items on the January Gardening To-Do List for Zones 9-11.

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In the Garden & Greenhouse

- Plant from seed: Onions, beets, radish, carrots, corn, cucumbers, winter peas, squash, gourds, zucchini, turnips, watermelon. You can also keep doing many greens like arugula, lettuces, mustards, and komatsuna greens (or bok choi).

- From Seedlings: Cabbage, collard greens, eggplants or peppers, Swiss chard, tomatoes. If it’s a warm winter, I also plant potatoes and sweet potatoes now. If we are honest, I would still plant them on a cooler winter (just because).

- Harvest: All tropical spinaches, ginger, turmeric, African potato mint, galangal. Harvest tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants as they ripen. If you have extra, leave a few on your neighbors front porch.

- Bring in cuttings from tropical spinaches (longevity, Okinawa, Surinam, Auntie Lili’s and Chief Kobu’s South Sea Salad) in order to have “insurance plants” if they freeze off during the winter. Also, save slips (cuttings) from your most successful sweet potato vines and and start rooting them in water indoors.

- Watch tomatoes and squash for any signs of powdery mildew. If you see anything, give them a quick spray with Basic H and organic Neem Oil and you’ll be all set.

- Turn the compost pile every week to keep things decomposing over the winter. Add an occasional bucket of water to keep moisture levels up, especially if there are a lot of leaves in the pile. Bonus points if you mow over leaves to chop them up before composting.

- Apply winter soil probiotic and microbial spray (We use a product called BioAg).

- Start planning for first of the year fertilizing in mid-February or early March (order compost, fish emulsion, etc). Typically, I do my first foliar spray at the end of February and the compost and/or soil amendments in early March. This pacing helps space out the nutrients and wake things up slowly.

In the Food Forest

- Plant: Loquats, peaches, plums, pears, nectarines, mulberries, blueberries, elderberries, figs, persimmons, and other cold hardy trees.

- Prune existing peaches, plums, pears, nectarines, mulberries, etc. Remove branches that are preventing light from getting to other branches. Open and airy scaffold structure is best to promote fruiting. This is the most optimal month for pruning (all trees except mango and avocado).
  - - First Year Flower / Fruit Removal: Personally, I always remove the flowers / fruit from trees the first year or two they are in the ground. This allows all the energy to go to healthy root and branch development. If you leave even a few flowers / fruit, then the tree will automatically take up more phosphorus and potassium, instead of focusing on getting established.

- Grafting Scions: Get avocado cuttings and start grafting. This is a great month to graft avocados in most (subtropical / tropical) areas. CLICK HERE FOR A TUTORIAL

- If you slacked off this winter and did not refresh your wood chips, then this is your last chance to do it before spring. 6-10″ deep, go out as far as the drip line of the tree, and keep chips and mulch a few inches away from the trunk.
- Bamboo Maintenance: January and February are excellent times to prune and shape clumping bamboo. Remove older or damaged canes, cut back canes that are leaning over, etc. Use a chipper to run the material through and feed it back to the bamboos or food forest. Watch this explanation from Shanti, with This Bamboo Life.

- Do NOT fertilize fruit trees until mid-February. Yes… I said it again.

- Order organic orchard supplies for the coming season – be sure to look for holiday sales! Include seaweed extract, BioAg, neem oil, Basic H (for all foliar applications), and fish emulsion.

In the Shed

- Check mouse traps frequently. Add cotton balls with peppermint oil to deter rodents.

- Finish oiling up any tools that got missed.

- Refinish and moisturize wooden handles of tools with Danish oil.

- Spray out old plastic pots and clean up the corners of the shed.

- Look for online sales for any equipment that need to be replaced.

In the Chicken Coop

- Feed extra protein (meal worms, black oiled sunflower seeds, bugs, etc.) to help them during their recovery season.

- Do NOT use supplemental lighting to increase egg production. Chickens need this off season to let their bodies rest. Let them have a natural rhythm of rest.

- Add a small amount of corn or millet to their diet to help with caloric intake in the winter months. This helps keep them warm naturally. NEVER use heat lamps in a coop or run.

- Purchase suet blocks (>5% protein) as you see them on sale. The fat content helps birds stay warm for the winter. (click here for more tips on keeping birds warm)

- Rotate straw and bedding in the coop to keep things clean and sanitary.

- Add garden and flower bed cuttings to their run for them to “go through” and eat bugs and seeds before composting them.

- Feed spent pumpkin and squash (from fall decor) to chickens. It helps boost their immune systems and can be a preventative for worms. NOTE: Pumpkin seeds are NOT a proven treatment for worms, but a great as part of your preventative maintenance regime. You may need to break them open for the birds to get at the inner meat of the pumpkins.

- Give healthy protein / omega 3 treats: One cheep way to do this is to go to a local pet store and get feeder fish (cheep minnows). Put them into a shallow tray (with a bit of water) and watch the birds catch them! You can also purchase live crickets from pet stores and feel them fresh veggies for a day or two. Feed several per day to your birds for a healthy winter treat.

cup and saucer vine flowering in January — Cup and saucer vine flowering in January.

Around the House & Perennial Beds

- Dead head spent perennials (i.e. purple coneflower, laitris, or hibiscus), and either save seed OR scatter / cover them for new plants in the spring.

- Plant native perennial wildflowers. If you are in central Florida, look at Green Isle Gardens in Groveland. Or check out the native wildflower seed mixes at Hancock Seed Company.

- Apply BioAg probiotic spray the day before a rain (to the soil) in order to inoculate the soil with healthy microbes. This will help prevent a lot of common diseases and pests.

- Water house plants sparingly.
  - - Only water them when you can put your finger in the soil and it feels dry up to your first knuckle (about 1″ deep). If the soil feels or looks damp – do NOT water.
  - - Water in the sink until water runs out of the bottom, so you know the full root ball is saturated. Let it drain for a few minutes before returning to a sunny spot near a window.
  - - Rotate plants every view days for even light distribution.

In the Pasture

- Plant Rough Pea (Lathyrus hirsutus), which is a high quality protein (especially for beef cows), helps maintain a healthy gut microflora. High quality digestible fiber.

- Plant Winter wheat, Bermuda grass, or annual rye. These are excellent for spot seeding in bare areas of the pasture.

- Plant food plot mixes of radish, turnips, or clover

- Plant bamboo, Mulberry, Napier grass, and Elderberry on pasture edges for chop-and-drop foraging or privacy.

Winter Bird-feeding for the Entire Family

Bird feeding is the perfect kids activity this month! My favorite bird-nerd store is Wild Birds Unlimited (WBU), which is found nationwide. They are not only knowledgeable, but often give free feeders to schools and libraries. Not to mention, the quality of their feed is far superior to box stores. Customize your feeds with different seeds for different birds. Each feed needs a different style feeder, but you can learn more about this by taking your kiddos to WBU.
Nyger and Sunflower Chips: For finches, vireos, and smaller birds
Safflower: Great to keep squirrels away, but cardinals and bluejays love this seed (especially in a hopper feeder)
Shelled Peanuts: For bluejays and woodpeckers
Black-oiled Sunflower Seeds: Everyone loves these! A must have for the feeder. Woodpeckers, sparrows, nuthatches, titmouse, etc.
White Millet: Indigo or painted buntings
Suet: Woodpeckers (ladder back, downy, hairy, red headed, etc.)

Time to Plan

During these winter months while the fruit trees are mainly dormant, it’s the perfect time to plan for the spring. So, make a cup of nice winter tea, open up the sketch book, and start brainstorming. But please reach out if we can help you in the process.

If you are interested in a personalized permaculture consultation for your property, we do both in-person visits to your site AND virtual consultations (for those outside of FL).

We offer a wide variety of consultation types to fit an array of budgets and project sizes.

Winter Foraged Tea: White pine needles, roselle calyx, and olive leaves. Great for anti-oxidants and immune health.

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January 2, 2026January 3, 2026

January Garden To-Do List for USDA Zones 3-8

In cold climate regions, January is a time of deep rest. After the holidays end, it’s like our body exhales and realizes that the deep of winter has finally arrived. Instead of dreading it – lean into it. Enjoy it. It’s the perfect time to curl up with a warm blanket, read a new permaculture book, look through seed catalogues, and start planning the garden for next year. Not to mention, it’s a great time to review the January Garden To-Do List. However, if you are in USDA Zones 9-11, we have a separate (specific) list for you. CLICK HERE for the warm climate to-do list.

It’s a great time to watch a few permaculture documentaries, catch up on our Patreon classes (if you are a subscriber), take an online course, or even look into local homesteading events in your area. For many folks in cooler climates, the winter can get a little depressing if we just hide away in our caves. So, be sure to get out and connect in your local community and spend nice days outside enjoying the changing of the seasons.

But when the slightly warmer days pop up, be sure to get out into the garden, because there are definitely things that can be done in the food forest and garden in the deep of winter.

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January Garden To-Do List for USDA Zones 3-8

In the Garden & Greenhouse

Continue to plant garlic and spring bulbs. CLICK HERE for a list of what you can plant between snows.
Take soil samples on warmer days and have them tested at the local extension office. Personally, I don’t use their “fertilizer” recommendations (because it’s rarely organic), so instead I see what nutrients are lower and improve in those areas with whole / organic ingredients in the spring. Honestly, in 99% of cases the regenerative answer is almost always COMPOST and more organic matter. By adding compost, you simultaneously improve NPK and build soil structure.
Check seeds that are cold stratifying outside or in the refrigerator (chestnut, paw paw, acorns, etc.)
Sort through the seed inventory and reorganize when possible.
Look through seed catalogues for what you want to plant this year. Use heirloom seeds when possible, because these have not been modified or hybridized since before WW1. Often, heirloom varieties produce a healthier fruit and have much better flavor. One of my favorite websites is rareseeds.com for veggies and an Etsy Store called Seed the Stars for some tropical edibles that can be grown as annuals in cold climates.

In the Food Forest

Pruning fruit trees. Go ahead and prune now if you are in cold climate zones (3-6b) OR wait until the end of January – February (for zones 7-8b). Most fruit trees should be pruned during a cold / dry period. The colder temps make the sap stop flowing, and the dry weather helps prevent immediate fungal or bacterial infections. When you prune, take no more than 1/4 of the tree off in a given year, and NEVER apply a wood sealer. Let the tree heal on its own.
Watch for rabbit or pest damage and protect trees accordingly. Pack the snow around the base of tree trunks to pack down vole and rodent tunnels.
Check for deer damage (eating branches, buck rubs, etc.) weekly. Save some deer bones from hunting season to make bone sauce for deer repellant (recipe in Patreon with PDF and class). The “bone sauce” technique is the only way to protect fruit trees (in my opinion) that actually works. .
Order organic orchard supplies for the coming season – be sure to look for holiday sales! Include seaweed extract, BioAg, neem oil, Basic H (for all foliar applications), and fish emulsion.
Finish winter mulching with woodchips or choppe up yard waste, but wait to add compost until spring, so you don’t add too much nitrogen now.
Water compost piles during dry periods.

January Garden To-Do List for USDA Zones 3-8 — What Can You Plant Between Snows?

In the Shed

Check mouse traps frequently. Add cotton balls with peppermint oil to deter rodents. Don’t wait until you have a problem – be proactive here!
Repair garden tools. Sand down wooden handles and reseal them (I prefer a Danish oil or non-yellowing varnish).
Sharpen all tools (pruners, cutters, shovels, etc.)
Look for online sales for any equipment that need to be replaced.

In the Chicken Coop

Feed extra protein (meal worms, black oiled sunflower seeds, bugs, etc.) to help them during their recovery season.
Do NOT use supplemental lighting to increase egg production. Chickens need this off season to let their bodies rest. Let them have a natural rhythm of rest.

Add a small amount of corn or millet to their diet to help with caloric intake in the winter months. This helps keep them warm naturally. NEVER use heat lamps in a coop or run.
Purchase suet blocks (>5% protein) as you see them on sale. The fat content helps birds stay warm for the winter. (click here for more tips on keeping birds warm)
Rotate straw and bedding in the coop to keep things clean and sanitary.
Keep water unthawed
- Use an electric water heater (OR)
- Use two watering containers and bring them in at night / rotate them
- Note: The salt water bottle in the container does NOT work outside of 1-2 degrees below freezing and only for a short time. This can work as an addition, but should not be your primary means of keeping water unthawed.
Feed spent pumpkin and squash (from fall decor) to chickens. It helps boost their immune systems and can be a preventative for worms.
NOTE: Pumpkin seeds are NOT a proven treatment for worms, but a great as part of your preventative maintenance regime. You may need to break them open for the birds to get at the inner meat of the pumpkins.
Give healthy protein / omega 3 treats: One cheep way to do this is to go to a local pet store and get feeder fish (cheep minnows). Put them into a shallow tray (with a bit of water) and watch the birds catch them! You can also purchase live crickets from pet stores and feel them fresh veggies for a day or two. Feed several per day to your birds for a healthy winter treat.

January Garden To-Do List for USDA Zones 3-8 Continued…

Around the House & Perennial Beds

Continue to plant spring bulbs every time the soil thaws. This can be done all winter. Click here for some of our favorite bulbs to plant in the winter.
Pay attention to windows and address any drafts immediately. Older winters should have plastic over them (purchased at a local hardware store), which will help save $$ on heat bills. Pull blinds (or insulated curtains) to keep heat inside at night and open them during the day to let natural light inside.
Water house plants carefully.
- Only water them when you can put your finger in the soil and it feels dry up to your first knuckle (about 1″ deep). If the soil feels or looks damp – do NOT water.
- Water potted plants in the sink until water runs out of the bottom, so you know the full root ball is saturated. Let it drain for a few minutes before returning to a sunny spot near a window.
- Rotate plants every view days for even light distribution.
Mid-Winter Banana Fertilizer for Houseplants: Soak 3 banana peels in a large jar of water for 3 days (make sure they stay submerged). Remove the banana peels and add 1 cup of the mineral rich banana water to one gallon of water. Use this ONCE this month to give your house plants a mid-winter boost.

Winter Ideas for Kids

Wildbird feeding is the perfect kids activity this month! My favorite bird-nerd store is Wild Birds Unlimited (WBU), which is found nationwide. They are not only knowledgeable, but often give free feeders to schools and libraries. Not to mention, the quality of their feed is far superior to box stores.
Customize your feeds with different seeds for different birds. Each feed needs a different style feeder, but you can learn more about this by taking your kiddos to WBU.

Nyger and Sunflower Chips: For finches, vireos, and smaller birds
Safflower: Great to keep squirrels away, but cardinals and bluejays love this seed (especially in a hopper feeder)
Shelled Peanuts: For bluejays and woodpeckers
Black-oiled Sunflower Seeds: Everyone loves these! A must have for the feeder. Woodpeckers, sparrows, nuthatches, titmouse, etc.
White Millet: Indigo or painted buntings (seasonal migration)
Suet: Woodpeckers (ladder back, downy, hairy, red headed, etc.)

Time to Plan

During these winter months while the fruit trees and gardens are dormant, it’s the perfect time to plan for the spring. If you are interested in a personalized permaculture consultation for your property, we do both in-person visits to your site AND virtual consultations (for those outside of FL). CLICK HERE to learn more.

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December 2, 2025December 2, 2025

December Garden To-Do List for Zones 9-11

In the northern states, they are wrapping up their vegetable gardening season, and in the south we are just getting started! This month the tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and squash are ripening. We are harvesting mid-season crops like mustard greens, bok choy, komatsuna greens, lettuce mixes, and a plethora of herbs.

Chickens and ducks are resting their bodies in order to restore nutrient levels after a busy laying season and fall feather molting. Fallen leaves and plants are starting to decompose a bit and returning important nutrients to the soil. Fungal networks are expanding underground to strengthen the soil web. So even though the fruit trees and berry bushes are slowing down for the season, we are doing an abundance of vegetable gardening right now! So, in between holiday functions, be sure to get organized with your monthly gardening list. (Click here if you are in a colder climate for your tailored list)

Here are some our hit list items on the December Gardening To-Do List.

Food Forest at A Natural Farm & Educational Center in Howey in the Hills, FL

In the Garden & Greenhouse

Remove “shade cloth” from greenhouses and put up the greenhouse plastic to protect seedlings from the occasional cold snap.
Plant: Onions, greens, kale, broccoli, cabbage, collard greens, beets, radishes, turnips, and snow peas.
Harvest sweet potatoes planted in the spring, and finish harvesting tropical spinach.
Bring in cuttings from tropical spinaches (longevity, Okinawa, Surinam, Bele, South Sea Salad) so you have “insurance” if they freeze off during the winter. Also save slips (cuttings) from your most successful sweet potato vines and and start rooting them in water indoor.
Watch tomatoes and squash for any signs of powdery mildew. If you see anything, give them a quick spray with Basic H and organic Neem Oil and you’ll be all set.
Turn the compost pile every week to keep things decomposing over the winter. Add an occasional bucket of water to keep moisture levels up, especially if there are a lot of leaves in the pile.
Apply winter soil probiotic and microbial spray (We use a product called BioAg, which is produced in Kansas City, MO).
Test soil samples and begin making amendment plans for springtime. Bring them into your counties local extension office for testing. Be sure to minimally test NPK and organic matter.

In the Food Forest

Plant: Peaches, plums, pears, nectarines, mulberries, blueberries, elderberries, figs, persimmons, and other cold hardy trees.
Prune existing peaches, plums, pears, nectarines, mulberries, etc. Remove branches that are preventing light from getting to other branches. Open and airy scaffold structure is best to promote fruiting.
Harvest: Enjoy the last hurrahs from your tropical spinach trees. Save seeds and cuttings.
Make sure that every fruit tree and berry bush has 6-8″ of wood chips around the base (from the truck area to the edge of the drip-line). Keep wood chips a few inches from the trunk (to prevent rot), and never allow the soil to be bare or covered in grass.
Do NOT fertilize (fruit trees) again until the end of February or early March.
Order organic orchard supplies for the coming season – be sure to look for holiday sales! Include seaweed extract, BioAg, neem oil, Basic H (for all foliar applications), and fish emulsion.

Jamacan Sorrel / Roselle Calyx. Seeds will be saved and the red part will be dried for winter tea.

In the Shed

Check mouse traps frequently. Add cotton balls with peppermint oil to deter rodents.
Finish oiling up any tools that got missed.
Look for online sales for any equipment that need to be replaced.

In the Chicken Coop

Feed extra protein (meal worms, black oiled sunflower seeds, bugs, etc.) to help them during their recovery season.
Do NOT use supplemental lighting to increase egg production. Chickens need this off season to let their bodies rest. Let them have a natural rhythm of rest too.

Add a small amount of corn or millet to their diet to help with caloric intake in the winter months. This helps keep them warm naturally. NEVER use heat lamps in a coop or run.
Purchase suet blocks (>5% protein) as you see them on sale. The fat content helps birds stay warm for the winter. (click here for more tips on keeping birds warm)
Rotate straw and bedding in the coop to keep things clean and sanitary.
Add garden and flower bed cuttings to their run for them to “go through” and eat bugs and seeds before composting them.
Feed spent pumpkin and squash (from fall decor) to chickens. It helps boost their immune systems and can be a preventative for worms. NOTE: Pumpkin seeds are NOT a proven treatment for worms, but a great as part of your preventative maintenance regime. You may need to break them open for the birds to get at the inner meat of the pumpkins.
Give healthy protein / omega 3 treats: One cheep way to do this is to go to a local pet store and get feeder fish (cheep minnows). Put them into a shallow tray (with a bit of water) and watch the birds catch them! You can also purchase live crickets from pet stores and feel them fresh veggies for a day or two. Feed several per day to your birds for a healthy winter treat.

Luc (owner of A Natural Farm) teaching how to plant a fruit tree

Around the House & Perennial Beds

Harvest pine cuttings for natural winter decor, garlands, and wreaths
Apply BioAg probiotic spray the day before a rain (to the soil) in order to inoculate the soil with healthy microbes. This will help prevent a lot of common diseases and pests.
Water house plants carefully.
- Only water them when you can put your finger in the soil and it feels dry up to your first knuckle (about 1″ deep). If the soil feels or looks damp – do NOT water.
- Water in the sink until water runs out of the bottom, so you know the full root ball is saturated. Let it drain for a few minutes before returning to a sunny spot near a window.
- Rotate plants every view days for even light distribution.

In the Pasture

Plant Rough Pea (Lathyrus hirsutus), which is a high quality protein (especially for beef cows), helps maintain a healthy gut microflora. High quality digestible fiber.
Plant bamboo, Napier (elephant) grass, or mulberry on pasture edges for animal fodder and forage. Watch our two part teaching on this, filmed by Ad Astra Gardens on their YouTube!

Winter Ideas for Kids

Take nature walks on nice days.
- Have kids look for interesting textures and shapes
- Look for buck rubs or signs of animals
Put out bird feeders and make fun food treats for wildlife. Consider a natural Christmas tree outside for the birds with all edible ornaments and garland.
Visit a nature center or arboretum in your area and let the kids pick out a new house plant to take care of.

Attend a local gardening, mushroom, or permaculture event in your area.
Visit a local farm. Many offer family friendly activities.
Have kids help you pick out seeds for next year in the seed catalogues. Consider giving them their own section of the garden to plant in the spring. Involve them in the entire process of planning as well as planting and maintenance. It’s amazing the veggies kids will eat when they picked it out, planted it, and grew it themselves.

Time to Plan

During these winter months while the fruit trees are mainly dormant, it’s the perfect time to plan for the spring. December through early February are the BEST months to come up with a design for your property so you can hit the ground running in March. If you are interested in a personalized permaculture consultation for your property, we do both in-person visits to your site AND virtual visits (for those out of our area). CLICK HERE to learn more.

And yes, we offer a variety of packages that fit a range of property sizes, project scopes, and budgets!

Many blessings to each of you this holiday season, and as always…

I’ll see you in the Garden!

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September 29, 2025September 29, 2025

October Garden To-Do List for Zones 9-11

Fall is officially here! The rainy season has come to an end, hurricane season is in full force, and winter gardening prep is now the #1 priority. Whew…what a rush! Although many southern states don’t get the color change that Midwest do, we are all still grateful for the slightly less oppressive heat and cooler nights. I can already smell the campfires coming over the next couple months.

That being said, it’s also a busy time for farmers and home gardeners. So, here is your list of things to do in your yard during the month of October. Pay attention to the garden, house, shed, orchard, animals, and of course… the kiddos!

This is your October Gardening To-Do list for Zones 9-11. For a list specific to USDA Growing Zones 3-8, click here.

Join the Mailing List

In the garden

Plant seeds for: carrots, onions, radishes (all types), turnips, and other root crops. It’s also important to stagger your lettuce and kale plantings, so they have various ripening times.
Transplant starts of: Beets, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, collard greens, kale, sugarcane, Swiss chard, etc. If you have any tomato (or other nightshade) seedlings left – go ahead and get them in the ground now too. Last chance on those guys.
Cover soil with straw! Never leave garden soil exposed to the elements. Remember, most veggies prefer a bacterially dominated soil, which is created by decomposing grass and straw (or pine straw).
Apply Fall probiotic spray (I use BioAg by SCD Probiotics) to all gardens, flower beds, and orchard soil. I use this both as a foliar spray and soil drench to help keep microflora healthy and the soil biome in pristine condition.
Test garden soil and make necessary fall amendments. As a general rule, this time of year is the most ideal for adding a LIGHT layer of compost (you don’t want to stimulate new growth), and for spreading wood chips and mulch.

In the Greenhouse

Plant another round of: kale, cabbage, Swiss chard, radishes, Daikon, mixed greens, peas, etc.
Remove shade cloth and get ready to apply winter plastic that may need replacing.
Look for areas that have mold, mildew, or fungus after the rainy season. Address each appropriately with neem, Basic H cleaner, etc.

florida sweet potatoes — October Gardening To-Do List | Harvest sweet potatoes that have been growing for 130-150 days. Plant new slips from plants that did well. Remember, in zones 9-11, we can plant sweet potatoes year round!

In the Food Forest

Harvest tropical spinaches, edible hibiscus, sweet potato greens and other low-growing plants. Continue harvesting tropical cherries (Barbados, Cherry of the Rio, Pitangatuba, etc.) and other fall tropical fruit.

• Avocado
• Barbados cherry

• Carambola • Citrus
• Dragon Fruit • Fig

• Guava
• Hibiscus (edible)
• Katuk (leaves & berries) • Moringa
• Mulberry
• Passion Fruit
• Peanut Butter Fruit
• Pecan
• Persimmon
• Peruvian Apple Cactus • Soursop
• Strawberry tree
• Sugar Apple
• Sweet potato harvesting • Tropical spinaches

Spray all fruit trees with probiotic spray, neem oil (for bugs and fungus control), and keep areas beneath the trees clear of waste.
Fresh compost and mulch around the base of the trees for winter. You can also use chopped leaves from trees around your yard. Do NOT use other fruit tree leaves if you can avoid it, because you don’t want to let any fungus or disease overwinter in the food forest.
Divide plants that are big enough to multiply and share (i.e. comfrey, berries, perennial flowers, etc.)
Harvest any remaining summer herbs (dry them, make tinctures, give away, or make an herbal broth for cooking). Some herbs can actually be frozen in olive oil (using ice cube trays) for use over the winter.
STOP planting tropical trees that are cold sensitive, like mango, avocado, strawberry tree, etc. Wait until Easter time to plant these in the ground. If you want to purchase them this fall, just be sure to leave them in a pot until springtime. This can actually be beneficial, because you can purchase a smaller tree, upsize the pot, and let it fill in over the winter. Then when spring arrives, you have a tree that has grown a foot and is acclimated to your particular site.
Save seeds from: Roselle, cranberry hibiscus, and other tropical plants that die back for the winter. Also, get ready to start harvesting and drying Roselle calyx for a nice winter tea.
Chop and drop: Mexican Sunflower, moringa, comfrey, pigeon pea.

Roselle caylx ready for drying and winter storage

In the Shed

Get out fall decorations
Clean and oil all tools. Click here for a video tutorial (for Patreon Community)
Consider adding a fuel injector cleaner to 2-cycle engine equipment to give them a fall tune-up.
Add mouse traps. TIP: You can also soak cotton balls or fabric in water with peppermint essential oil and put them in the corners to deter mice. You can also plant Panadol (as a ground cover) around fruit trees, berry bushes, or need feed sheds to deter pests, mice, and rats.

In the Chicken Coop for October

Feed extra protein (meal worms, black oiled sunflower seeds, bugs, etc.) to help them with molting season.
Purchase suet blocks (>5% protein) as you see them on sale for winter prep.
Clean and sterilize your coop and get ready for winterizing (have extra straw on hand for the winter months).
Add probiotics to your water to get birds healthy before winter. You can use a mixture of honey, apple cider vinegar, and garlic powder as one approach. I also rotate in BioLivestock, which is a blend of probiotics, beneficial microbes, and bio-fermented organic acids.
Add garden and flower bed cuttings to their run for them to “go through” and eat bugs and seeds before composting them. I love adding Spanish needle because of it’s amazing health benefits for animals and livestock.
Feed pumpkin and squash to chickens. It helps boost their immune systems and can be a preventative for worms. NOTE: Pumpkin seeds are NOT a proven treatment for worms, but a great part of your preventative maintenance regime.

Nitrogen fixing plants are ready for a nice fall chop-and-drop

Around the House

Clean out gutters and eavestroughs
Check caulk around windows and doors
Check / change light bulbs around the yard
Chop leaves as they fall by mowing them up. Never rake and put them to the road, because you are literally sending nutrients away from your yard.
Power wash sidewalks, sides of house, etc.
Change air filters on HVAC and check pilot lights on your heater before turning everything on. It’s also smart to vacuum out all ductwork / register vents and add a few drops of essential oils to them to keep things fresh.
Fall clean out of the garage and shed
Check batteries on carbon monoxide detectors (replace every three years) and check batteries on smoke detectors.

Cranberry Hibiscus – Time to look for seed head and cut them off to save for next spring. When Roselle, Kenaf, and cranberry hibiscus start to look rough or get powdery mildew, cut them back immediately and replant in the spring. This is normal for them to start looking a mess this time of year.

Perennial Flower Beds in October

Cut back spent plants, but leave as much as you can for winter interest, especially if there are seed heads. I recommend pruning back fully in the spring, because many butterflies and beneficial insects have already laid eggs and are in a chrysalis form on your plants now, and they will not hatch until spring.
Plant winter annuals: pansy, cosmos, zinnia, viola, snapdragons, etc.
Divide large perennials and multiply in your garden OR share with friends.
Cover all soil with either compost, chopped leaves from your yard, or wood chips. NEVER leave your soil exposed to the winter elements.

Ideas for Kids

Make a fort with sticks and branches and then cover in leaves
Use peanut butter and spread on the trunks of trees, then press birdseed into it to attract woodpeckers. Click here for the Patreon class on wild-bird feeding.
Fall nature walks are a must!
Take the kids to a greenhouse this fall. Many local nurseries offer free fall activities for kids, pumpkin patches, etc.
Buy each kid a tree / shrub to plant in the yard or food forest. Help them pick it out and let them know it’s “their tree”
Consider teaching kids a new outdoor sport or activity

September 1, 2025September 1, 2025

September Gardening To-Do List for Zones 9-11

The last days of summer have arrived…

Summer is coming to a close and we are also nearing the end of the rainy season in many southern states (late September). Though temps are still high, we are now officially in annual vegetable gardening season. As most of the US is finishing their vegetable gardens, we are just getting started in the warmer climates! So, if you want to plant those tomatoes, pepper, eggplants, and squash – the season is now upon us! Needless to say, there are plenty of things to keep us southerns folks busy in the garden and around the homestead.

Please note, this specific list is catered to those living in USDA Zones 9-11, so if you are looking for Zones 3-8 – click here.

Without further adieu, here is your September Gardening To-Do List!

September Gardening To-Do List

In the Garden

Things to plant by seed: beats, brussels, collards, eggplant, kale, lettuces (and greens like arugula, minzuna, etc), peppers, Swiss chard, tomatoes, and one last round of tropical spinaches. Plus, you can start planting beans a little at a time this month! We also recommend continuing to plant a few squash, pumpkins, carrots, and cucumber seeds each week. We suggest staggering your planting this month, so all your cucumbers aren’t ripe at once. Typically, this is our strategy with most varieties of annual veggies.
Onions: Start planting bunching onions
Pumpkins: Keep plantings through the second week of the month.
Tropical greens: Harvest and enjoy your tropical spinaches (longevity, Okinawa, Surinam, Brazilian, etc.) all month long! Start looking for flowers to dry so you can save seed for next year.
Brassicas: Wait until the last week of the month for most cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, etc.
Fertilize: This is a great month to apply compost to the garden and food forest! Composted manure is our favorite for the garden and mushroom compost in the food forest. Other great amendments for this month include: azomite (minerals), fish emulsion, blood meal, kelp, folic acid, and epsom salts (which is actually magnesium).

Turmeric and Ginger are all in flower this month! These are fun little surprises that often hide at the base of the plants. Be sure to pay attention!

In the Greenhouse

Time to start planning to remove shade cloth (end of the month). Check to see if any greenhouse windows or plastic needs to be ordered before winter months.
Keep air flowing! September is still pretty wet in many parts of the south, so be sure to encourage proper airflow to prevent mold and mildew.
Check mouse traps regularly, because animals will start looking for their fall homes soon.
Start fall propagations of fruit trees and berry bushes from cuttings. It’s a great time to propagate mulberries, elderberry, sweet almond shrub, African blue basil, start avocado and mango seeds, etc.

Jaboticaba are producing a nice fall harvest in many areas this month! It’s also a great time to save those seeds and start planting new plants that can be overwintered in a greenhouse or indoors.

In the Food Forest

Harvest: enjoy the last of the mangoes and start preparing for sugar apple, atemoya, and chermoya! Avocado season has also officially begun! Look for guava, more tropical cherries, and java plums later this month. Strawberry trees, acerola, and goji are in high production right now – so get out there and enjoy! Many folks are having a 3-4th round of fruit on their Jaboticaba this month too (one of my favorites).
Fertilization: Use mushroom compost as much as possible. 1-2″ deep at the base of the trees (away from the trunk) and then cover with wood chip mulch. Always make sure your compost is “cool” before applying. If it’s hot to the touch when you receive it… let it sit for a few weeks to cool off before applying to your fruit trees. Always water thoroughly immediately after applying compost. Other amending suggestions: azomite, rock dust, and epsom salt.
Avos and Mangoes: The first part of September is the last opportune time to plant new avocado, strawberry trees and mangoes if you are in Central Florida. Otherwise, they may not have time to root in properly before winter months. Anything uber tropical planted after this month are a risk. But most tother things (plum, peaches, etc.) are still fine to plant.
Berries: This is an ideal time to plant tropical berries and cherries like strawberry guava, Barbados cherry, pitangatuba, Cherry of the Rio, etc.
Stone fruit: It’s best to WAIT to plant peach, pear, plum, nectarine trees until fall or winter dormancy. Technically you can plant them now, but it’s not really ideal.
Plant late summer grounds cover, like buckwheat or a light seeding of chicory, to create biomass coming into fall.

florida pasture maintenance for september

In the Shed

Keep tools oiled. This time of year is often hot and humid… the perfect recipe for rusty tools.
Check mouse traps and keep animal feed in sealed containers. Give the feed shed a nice cleaning to prevent critters from finding their “fall homes” in areas you don’t want them.
Look for estate sales for garden tools. Many of the new (plastic) ones are junk! The best tools are the old wooden handled tools that are available at estate sales. Instead of buying new, consider up-cycling.

In the Chicken Coop

Chickens: Spring chickens have finally started laying eggs! They should be given plenty of fresh greens and can now have supplemental calcium. For calcium supplements, you can use crushed oyster shells or aragonite.
Quail: It’s time to start helping the quail get ready for winter months. Extra protein, bug treats, dried grass heads, etc. are always a boost to their health. TIP: Dry flower petals and grasses to add to their nesting areas to help simulate their native habitats in the prairie.
Plant fall foraging areas using a native wildlife seed mix. Plant a mix specifically for chickens. We like the Happy Hen Mix from Hancock Seed Co.

Offer mealworms, beetles, and other insects as a healthy protein treat to help boost the health of your flock as they go into the fall season. This helps prepare their bodies for fall molting (that is right around the corner).

Around the House

Run dehumifiers to keep the indoor humidity between 45-60%. This is the ideal range for health and to prevent mold, fungus, and bacterial growth.
Replace your HVAC filters
Clean outdoor windows and doors (I use Basic H for this)
Apply UV protectant to your recreational vehicles (boats, car interiors, RV’s, decals, etc. Put moisture collecting crystals (like DampRid) in the cupboards of RV’s to prevent mold in storage.
Spray tire shine and protectant on vehicle and trailer tires to prevent sun damage
Fertilize house plants at regular strength until the end of the month, then taper off in late October. Do not fertilize house plants in the winter months… allow them to go “dormant” as well.

In the Perennial Flower Beds

Dead-heading: Cut back spent flowers in order to get a final bloom. Spent flower heads can be fed to chickens or composted.
Fertilize: Use compost to fertilize annual flower beds at the beginning of the month. Then toward the end of the month, use a fish emulsion / sea kelp foliar spray (like that from GS Plant Food) on flowers, fruit trees, and berries.
Plant annual flowers for fall color: sunflowers, zinnia, cosmos, celosia, broom corn, etc.
Plant fall flowers like chrysanthemums for autumn color. They can actually be grown in the ground as well and will come back every year in most regions. It’s also a great time to plant wild flower seeds en-mass. Companies like American Meadows and Hancock Seeds have some great wildflower mix selections.
Bring cut flowers indoors and share with neighbors, especially those who are shut-ins or elderly

turks cap hibiscus flower — Edible flowers from Turk’s Cap Hibiscus

Family & Kids

Make gnome or fairy houses with kids as a late summer / early fall project.
Get plenty of time in the water (lakes, streams, ponds) because it’s going to start cooling off soon.
Start scoping out some local apple orchards, pumpkin patches, and corner mazes.

Enjoy the final days of summer and we’ll see you in the Garden!

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September 1, 2025September 1, 2025

September Gardening To-Do List for Zones 3-8

The last days of summer have arrived…

Summer is coming to a close and the evenings are just starting to have the smell of fall in the air. This week, when talking with my family in Michigan, they said the maples leaves are starting to change already. Coffee shops have started selling the pumpkin spice lattes again and gnomes and fall candles are on the end-caps of every home goods store. Even though it’s not officially fall just yet, many of us are ready for fall campfires, autumn hikes, and the harvest season. In the garden, many regions are still in peak production and harvest time. So, needless to say, there are plenty of things to keep us all busy in the garden and around the homestead.

Please note, this specific list is catered to those living in USDA Zones 3-8, so if you are looking for Zones 9-11 – click here.

Without further adieu, here is your September Gardening To-Do List!

September Gardening To-Do List

In the Garden

Things to plant by seed: beets, carrots, radishes, and turnips.
Garlic: Order / purchase garlic for next year. Start planting garlic cloves at the end of this month (or when cooler nights begin).
Pumpkins: Begin to cut them and bring them indoors as soon as they are fully orange. If you are a seed saver, be sure to collect seeds from the best and most robust plants of the season.
Fall greens: In order to stagger your harvest times later in the fall, consider planting smaller amounts of fall greens (salad mixes, kale, etc.) every other week. The same can be done with beets and radishes.
Brassicas: Plant broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower by seed or transplants. Keep them well-watered (1″ per week) as they get established and mulch with straw around the base to cover the soil and prevent water evaporation.
Tomatoes: It’s important this month to start removing the smaller tomatoes in order to allow the medium and larger ones to ripen before the frost.
Harvest: tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, and other night shades.
Mulch: Keep bare soil covered completely to prevent water evaporation and protect microorganisms. Add a little more compost and wood chips around fruit trees and berry bushes. Add another layer of straw around garden veggies. Always collect your yard waste (leaves and grass) to apply to garden beds!

Jerusalem artichokes / Sunchokes are beginning to bloom! The leaves can also be used as forage for cattle, horses, goats, and (chopped) for chickens. Alternatively, you can chop-and-drop them for biomass around the base of fruit trees. Roots can be left in the ground or harvested after the first frost.

In the Greenhouse

Start organizing things now, before it gets cold. If you are planting in the ground in your hoop house or poly-tunnel, be sure to start applying lots of organic matter (like straw) in order to build a nice biomass before going into the winter months.
Check mouse traps regularly, because animals will start looking for their fall homes soon.
Watch your temperatures closely! Open windows in the greenhouses as needed.
Bring tropical plants in the greenhouse if it gets below 50 degrees at night. Start washing them off and preparing them for the winter relocation.

In the Food Forest

Harvest: apples, pears, fall berries, and any remaining stone fruit. Goji berries and raspberries are in their peak production, so be sure to harvest now and start preserving for the cooler months.
Mulch: Apply mulch / wood-chips around the base of fruit trees. Keep the wood chips away from the base of the tree, because if they touch the trunk it can cause rot or bacterial issues. Wood chips will encourage mycorrhizal activity and strengthen the root system.
Herbs around fruit trees: Finish harvesting herbs to dry and make tinctures because they are at their peak right now! Start hanging them around the house and preparing to store them for the winter months. TIP: Use those little “silica packets” in the bottom of your glass jars to absorb moisture while in storage.
Fallen fruit: Remember to harvest fruit as they ripen and remove those that fall to the ground. Fallen fruit attract pests, so feed them to chickens or add to the compost pile immediately. Don’t let them sit.
Harvest elderberries: If you are making elderberry tinctures, teas, or wine – now is your time to harvest. Whatever you do not harvest, the birds will take care of for you. It is also a great time to harvest elderberry canes for cuttings and propagation.
Plant late summer ground covers in any “bare spots” around the forest. Here are some of of our favorites – CLICK HERE.
Wait to plant new fruit trees and berry bushes until the end of the month (or early next month), when the heat dials down a few notches.

In the Shed

Start getting winter wood stove supplies ready to prepare for the coming winter. Check woodpiles to ensure they are stacked properly.
Give power tools a quick check after heavy summer use, (oil, air filters, and clean off exteriors).
Check mouse traps and keep animal feed in sealed containers. Give the feed shed a nice cleaning to prevent critters from finding their “fall homes” in areas you don’t want them.
Give cutting tools a good cleaning (using rubbing alcohol) and oil afterwards to prevent rust.

In the Chicken Coop

Chickens: Spring chickens have finally started laying eggs! They should be given plenty of fresh greens and can now have supplemental calcium. For calcium supplements, you can use crushed oyster shells or aragonite.
Quail: It’s time to start helping the quail get ready for winter months. Extra protein, bug treats, dried grass heads, etc. are always a boost to their health. TIP: Dry flower petals and grasses to add to their nesting areas to help simulate their native habitats in the prairie.
Plant fall foraging areas using a native wildlife seed mix.

Around the House

Plant fall grass or ground covers. One of our favorite is a grass blend (that doesn’t need to be mowed) called ECOgrass by Prairie Moon Nursery. Check them out! Their wildflower mixes are also pretty incredible and can be fall planted as well.
Open up the windows on cooler nights to help air out the house and let in fresh air.
Replace your HVAC filters
Clean outdoor windows and doors (I use Basic H for this)
Apply UV protectant to your recreational vehicles (boats, car interiors, RV’s, decals, etc. Put moisture collecting crystals (like DampRid) in the cupboards of RV’s to prevent mold in storage.
Spray tire shine and protectant on vehicle and trailer tires to prevent sun damage
Fertilize house plants at regular strength until the end of the month, then taper off in October. Do not fertilize house plants in the winter months… allow them to go “dormant” as well.

In the Perennial Flower Beds

Dead-heading: Cut back spent flowers in order to get a final bloom. Spent flower heads can be fed to chickens or composted.
Plant fall flowers like chrysanthemums for autumn color. They can actually be grown in the ground as well and will come back every year in most regions.
Add extra wood chips to areas that are in full sun in order to protect soil health and microbial activity
Bring cut flowers indoors and share with neighbors, especially those who are shut-ins or elderly. Save seeds from spent blooms for next year.

Family & Kids

Make gnome or fairy houses with kids as a late summer / early fall project.
Get plenty of time in the water (lakes, streams, ponds) because it’s going to start cooling off soon.
Start scoping out some local apple orchards, pumpkin patches, and corner mazes.

Enjoy the final days of summer and we’ll see you in the Garden!

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July 2, 2025July 31, 2025

July Gardening To-Do List for USDA Zones 9-11

The summer fun is in full swing and we are likely all enjoying the opportunity for daily harvesting. There is such joy and satisfaction in being able to walk into your backyard and grab a snack on the go. The flavor of a sun-ripened sweet tomato right off the vine and a fresh piece of fruit from one of the trees. This is the taste of summer! For me, I remember being in the garden with my mom when I was a child, and she would always hand my brother and I some fresh green beans. There is something about fresh beans (still warm from the sunshine) that will always remind me of my childhood. I was fortunate as a child to have a parents who enjoyed the outdoors. My brother and I grew up climbing trees, foraging in the woods, hunting and fishing, and building forts near the berry patches. As the years have gone by, I have found myself looking back on those years as critical times of the establishment of wonder and imagination in my life. There is something about the garden and food forest that invites us inward and beckons us to be a part of it. To not just eat – but see, hear, experience and dream a little. The garden, for me anyway, is a place that I feel safe in, provided for, and celebrated.

This month, as you go about your July Gardening To-Do List, take time to imagine and appreciate. Take space for yourself and create a safe space to invite others. The food forest can be both a flower for one and a garden for all.

NOTE: This list is geared toward USDA Growing Zones 9-11. If you are looking for the July Gardening List for Zones 3-8, click here.

July Garden Calendar for USDA Zones 9-11

In the Garden & Greenhouse

Building soil in the vegetable garden: For the most part in zones 9-11, our annual vegetable season has come or is coming to an end. It’s the time when we shift from annual production toward production in the food forest. Som for annual beds, this is a great time for a cover crop (like Sunn Hemp, Cow Peas, etc.) or to cover it with straw and let it compost in place.
To plant: Cassava cuttings, sweet potatoes, okra, chaya, tropical spinaches (like Longevity, Okinawa, Brazilian, Suriname, or Jewels of Opar).
To harvest: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, okra…and as many tropical greens as you can! It’s also a great time of year to pick sweet potato leaves and saute them for supper. Add some salt, pepper, garlic, and cheese and tuck in!
Compost: Turn pile 1-2x per week.
- NOTE: For most people an outdoor compost pile doesn’t really generate a lot. However, using a worm bin (like the ones from Uncle Jim’s Worm Farm), can provide worm tea which creates way more bang for your buck. For most families, composting worms are going to give you a better result.
Open the Greenhouse: This time of year the green house often needs to be open 24/7 so it does’t become an oven. You can also cover it with a shade cloth to help stop the heat. Generally speaking, most plants are outside at this point and enjoying the summer rains and sunshine. This makes it a great time of year for you to clean it out and get ready for fall. by mid-August, you’ll be ready to use it as a shade house to start seeds for the fall gardening season.

In the Food Forest

Apply Summer Compost or soil amendments
- Compost (mushroom based for food forest and manure based for veggie garden). This is literally the single best thing you can add in the food forest this month!
- Recommended Amendments: Azomite, Epsom salts, chelated iron, hummus, chop and drop from nitrogen fixing plants.
- Probiotics spray every other week. I use BioAg for this.
- FREE 11-minute talk on probiotics for the yard, click here.
Plant new fruit trees and berry bushes. Here is a step-by-step process (with diagram) of how to plant a fruit tree or berry bush. Some of the info may surprise you. Remember, trees often take 3-5 years to reach a significant level of production. The best time to plant a fruit tree was 10 years ago, but the second best time is today. This is an ideal month to plant Avocado, mango, sugar apple, clumping bamboo, yellow star cherry, cherry of the rio grande, etc. It’s NOT ideal for stone fruit (plum, peach, nectarines), but can still be done if you prune them before planting.
Remove suckers from the base of fruit trees. These are likely a root stock coming back, and will essentially “suck” the nutrients from the top of the tree, so keep them cut / pinched off.
Chop and Drop!!! This is the prime time to chop and drop those soil building plants, because they still have the rest of the summer to grow again and provide a few more cycles. Remember, in order to truly get the nitrogen fixing and soil building benefits – you have to chop them down (and better yet to bury them under wood chips).
Banana TIP: If you are growing bananas in zones 8b and 9a (where frosts are likely in the winter), stop watering and fertilizing bananas that do not already have a flower. Wait until late winter to resume watering and feeding, as this will help you avoid having a partially formed rack that just gets killed in a frost. If the flower has already started, continue watering and feeding as usual. If you are in a generally frost free area – carry on as usual.
Get a plan and design This is a great month to plan and plant! The summer rains make food forest establishment easy. So, if you are interested in an in-person or virtual consultation, CLICK HERE.

New worm bin set up with some red wigglers. My favorite part about this system isn’t even the worm castings – it’s the worm tea that can be used weekly on plants!

In the Shed

Set mouse / rat traps. We have really liked these bucket traps from Amazon
Oil hand tools: Keep hand tools oiled and clean after every use. A cheep olive oil wipe down will work wonders to help prevent rust, but you can also use a gun or motor oil as well.
Use the Rainy Days: When you have occasional rainy days, consider taking an hour to clean and organize in your shed or garage. Make a “donate” pile to bring to a local community garden if you find you have a surplus that could find a new home.

Salvia in my mom’s summer garden. There are so many varieties and colors with this plant and it always gives summer visual interest to the butterfly garden.

Livestock

Water rotations: In nature, animals don’t drink out of the purified tap. Sometimes their water is from a rain puddle, but other times from a stream or pond. To help mimic this and give their immune system a boost, try doing something different every time you refill their water.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: 1 tsp per gallon
- Honey: 1 TBSP per gallon
- BioIivestock Probiotic: Dilution rate on bottle depending on species
- Herbs: Add fresh oregano, thyme, rosemary, etc to their water to make a “tea”
- Rainwater
Deworming Cattle / Horses: 1-1.5 cups of Basic H per 100 gallon watering container OR 1TBSP per gallon for chickens, goats, lamb.
Keep Chickens Cool in Extreme Heat: click the link for some creative ideas to help keep chickens cool in the hot summer months.
Check herd health daily: My friend Fred always says, “A good farmer is ‘out-standing’ in his field. Literally.” As a general rule of thumb you should have eyes on every animals, every day. Some animals may need morning and evening check in times, but it’s important to be attentive, especially if any animals have recently given birth.

Comfrey (Bocking 14) can be planted on pasture edges or around fruit trees. It’s an excellent mineral mining crop and can be used as animal fodder and forage as well. It’s a suitable replacement for supplemental minerals and calcium for many farm animals.

In the Pasture

Plant: Not an ideal month for pasture planting… just let things grow and fill in.
Rotate Animals: Move animals as often as you can possibly manage. High intensity rotational grazing is optimal for soil and pasture health. If you are doing multiple animals: cows first, followed by sheep or goats, chickens last, and then give the pasture a break.
Pasture Edges: Plant support species on the pasture or food plot edges. Consider animal forage plants like Moringa and Mexican sunflower.

Around the House and Perennial Beds

Deadheading: Remove as many of the dead flowers as you can. This will promote more vigorous summer blooms. You may, however, want to let a few go to seed in order to save seeds for propagation next spring.
Fertilize flower beds: This time of year you can easily use bagged grass clippings in the annual beds to help fertilize and create mulch. If you are seeking to amend your soil, consider bone meal and azomite this time of year as your best options.
Annual Flowers: Plant some pops of color around the garden. Use as many native wildflowers and perennials as possible, because the vast majority of annuals do NOT provide nectar for bees and butterflies. However, using them sparingly can still give lasting bursts of color. Some annual flowers (nasturtiums, marigolds, calendula, etc.) are also edible and medicinal and can even be used as vegetable companion plants.
Air out the house: On a cool morning or early evening, consider opening up the windows to air out the house. This is also a great time to change your HVAC filters indoors from extended summer AC use.
Power-wash lawn furniture on hot summer day. When it’s too hot to be in the garden, get a power washer to clean off the porches, deck, patio, and the furniture. Many of them allow you to add a bit of soap (like Basic H) to the washer for added cleaning power.

Photo from a recent hike in the Daniel Boone National Forest in Beattyville, KY

Kids & Family Ideas

Visit a local hiking trail: Look up some hiking trails in your area and go out on a day adventure. Pack a lunch with you, bring extra water, and be sure to bring your camera and a foraging bag (if responsible foraging is permitted).
Wild Bird Feeding
- Suet cakes for woodpeckers should be around the edges of the garden, because they will also help control caterpillars.
- Safflower Seed: great for cardinals but also not a favorite of squirrels.
- Water and birdbaths will help attract even more birds than the feeders themselves on hot summer days.
- Hummingbird feeders: Never use dyed red nectar…this is completely unnecessary and not good for the birds. Also, remember that sugar water ferments quickly, so hummingbird feeders need to be changed every 3 or 4 days. If you cannot remember to change the nectar water, please take down your feeders because fermented water is a number one killer of hummingbirds.
Walking Sticks: Find and decorate walking sticks together. You can tie string around them and collect feathers, paint them, etc. Even as an adult, a good walking stick is a must when putting chickens up for the night.
Outdoor picnics: Plant at least one meal a week that is outside in nature. Maybe this week it’s grilling on the patio, but then next week might be a blanket in the grass with charcuterie boards. Perhaps sandwiches from your childhood while laying in a hammock, or a summer salad on the front porch as you wave at the neighbors passing by.

See you in the Garden

As always, thanks for taking time to join on the gardening and permaculture journey. Be sure to check out the continual flow of content available via our social media channels. Remember, PermacultureFX also does virtual consulting (using Facetime, zoom, satellite images, etc.). We’d love to help you get a plan for your property and help you create abundance and wonder.

If this article was helpful, consider sharing on social media (or with your garden groups) to help set others up to win on their property. Happy Summer – and I’ll see you in the garden!

– Kristofer Edler

Join the Mailing List

July 2, 2025July 31, 2025

July Gardening To-Do List (USDA Zones 3-8)

The summer fun is in full swing and we are likely all enjoying the opportunity for daily harvesting. There is such joy and satisfaction in being able to walk into your backyard and grab a snack on the go. The flavor of a sun-ripened sweet tomato right off the vine, a little bit of sweet bell pepper, a few remaining peas, or a fresh piece of fruit from the tree. This is the taste of summer! For me, I remember being in the garden with my mom when I was a child, and she would always hand my brother and I some fresh green beans. There is something about fresh beans (still warm from the sunshine) that will always remind me of my childhood. I was fortunate as a child to have a parents who enjoyed the outdoors. My brother and I grew up climbing trees, foraging in the woods, hunting and fishing, and building forts near the berry patches. As the years have gone by, I have found myself looking back on those years as critical times of the establishment of wonder and imagination in my life. There is something about the garden and food forest that invites us inward and beckons us to be a part of it. To not just eat – but see, hear, experience and dream a little. The garden, for me anyway, is a place that I feel safe in, provided for, and celebrated.

This month, as you go about your July Garden Calendar and To-Do List, take time to imagine, appreciate, and remember. Take space for yourself and create a safe space to invite others. The food forest can be both a flower for one and a garden for all.

NOTE: This list is geared toward USDA Growing Zones 3-8. If you are looking for the July Gardening List for Zones 9-11, click here.

July Garden Calendar for USDA Zones 3-8

In the Garden & Greenhouse

Building soil in the vegetable garden: Remember, we are what we eat, so stay away from both chemical and synthetic fertilizers. Our top choice to “fertilize” is always to apply compost (regular for veggies and mushroom based for fruit trees and berry bushes). If you do not have access to organic compost, then my second choice is usually a rotation of worm tea, bone meal, azomite, fish emulsion, kelp, or other “whole ingredient” fertilizers, which help build the soil and not just give a temporary result. Unfortunately, even some name brand organic fertilizers are hiding things like MSG under the name “soy protein hydrolysate”. So, use wisdom when picking out the best fertilizers for you and your family.
To plant: Get ready for planting fall garden veggies later this month. Think potatoes, broccoli, and other brassicas. Consider starting some in trays mid to late month.
To harvest: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, beans, carrots, zucchini, squash, lettuce, and mixed greens
Compost: Turn pile 1-2x per week.
- NOTE: For most people an outdoor compost pile doesn’t really generate a lot. However, using a worm bin (like the ones from Uncle Jim’s Worm Farm), can provide worm tea which creates way more bang for your buck. For most families, composting worms are going to give you a better result.

In the Food Forest

Apply Summer Compost or soil amendments
- Compost (mushroom based for food forest and manure based for veggie garden)
- Recommended Amendments: Bone meal, azomite, Epsom salts, chelated iron, hummus, chop and drop from nitrogen fixing plants
- Probiotics spray every other week. I use BioAg for this.
- FREE 11-minute talk on probiotics for the yard, click here.
Plant new fruit trees and berry bushes. Here is a step-by-step process (with diagram) of how to plant a fruit tree or berry bush. Some of the info may surprise you. Remember, trees often take 3-5 years to reach a significant level of production. The best time to plant a fruit tree was 10 years ago, but the second best time is today.
Remove suckers from the base of fruit trees. These are likely a root stock coming back, and will essentially “suck” the nutrients from the top of the tree, so keep them cut / pinched off.

In the Shed

Set mouse / rat traps. We have really liked these bucket traps from Amazon
Oil hand tools: Keep hand tools oiled and clean after every use. A cheep olive oil wipe down will work wonders to help prevent rust, but you can also use a gun or motor oil as well.
Use the Rainy Days: When you have occasional rainy days, consider taking an hour to clean and organize in your shed or garage. Make a “donate” pile to bring to a local community garden if you find you have a surplus that could find a new home.

Livestock

Water rotations: In nature, animals don’t drink out of the purified tap. Sometimes their water is from a rain puddle, but other times from a stream or pond. To help mimic this and give their immune system a boost, try doing something different every time you refill their water.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: 1 tsp per gallon
- Honey: 1 TBSP per gallon
- BioIivestock Probiotic: Dilution rate on bottle depending on species
- Herbs: Add fresh oregano, thyme, rosemary, etc to their water to make a “tea”
- Rainwater
Deworming Cattle / Horses: 1-1.5 cups of Basic H per 100 gallon watering container OR 1TBSP per gallon for chickens, goats, lamb.
Keep Chickens Cool in Extreme Heat: click the link for some creative ideas to help keep chickens cool in the hot summer months.
Check herd health daily: My friend Fred always says, “A good farmer is ‘out-standing’ in his field. Literally.” As a general rule of thumb you should have eyes on every animals, every day. Some animals may need morning and evening check in times, but it’s important to be attentive, especially if any animals have recently given birth.

July Gardening Calendar — Comfrey (Bocking 14) can be planted on pasture edges or around fruit trees. It’s an excellent mineral mining crop and can be used as animal fodder and forage as well. It’s a suitable replacement for supplemental minerals and calcium for many farm animals.

In the Pasture

Plant: Keep pastures irrigated, plant Sunn hemp for deer forage or nitrogen fixing cover crops.
Pasture Edge: Plant support species on the pasture or food plot edges. Consider edible berry bushes (currants, gooseberries, lingonberry, elderberry, mulberry, or paw paw trees. Other plants like comfrey, vetch, and clover can be planted on the edges to help fix nitrogen into the soil and provide additional pollination.

Around the House and Perennial Beds

Deadheading: Remove as many of the dead flowers as you can. This will promote more vigorous summer blooms. You may, however, want to let a few go to seed in order to save seeds for propagation next spring.
Fertilize flower beds: This time of year you can easily use bagged grass clippings in the annual beds to help fertilize and create mulch. If you are seeking to amend your soil, consider bone meal and azomite this time of year as your best options.
Spring bulb care: Cut back any of the “dead” from the spring bulbs to clean up the flower beds. If they are still green, leave them along because they are storing up their energy reserves for next years blooms.
Annual Flowers: Plant some pops of color around the garden. Use as many native wildflowers and perennials as possible, because the vast majority of annuals do NOT provide nectar for bees and butterflies. However, using them sparingly can still give lasting bursts of color. Some annual flowers (nasturtiums, marigolds, calendula, etc.) are also edible and medicinal and can even be used as vegetable companion plants.
Air out the house: On a cool morning or early evening, consider opening up the windows to air out the house. This is also a great time to change your HVAC filters indoors from extended summer AC use.
Power-wash lawn furniture on hot summer day. When it’s too hot to be in the garden, get a power washer to clean off the porches, deck, patio, and the furniture. Many of them allow you to add a bit of soap (like Basic H) to the washer for added cleaning power.

Kids & Family Ideas

Visit a local hiking trail: Look up some hiking trails in your area and go out on a day adventure. Pack a lunch with you, bring extra water, and be sure to bring your camera and a foraging bag (if responsible foraging is permitted).
Wild Bird Feeding
- Suet cakes for woodpeckers should be around the edges of the garden, because they will also help control caterpillars.
- Safflower Seed: great for cardinals but also not a favorite of squirrels.
- Water and birdbaths will help attract even more birds than the feeders themselves on hot summer days.
- Hummingbird feeders: Never use dyed red nectar…this is completely unnecessary and not good for the birds. Also, remember that sugar water ferments quickly, so hummingbird feeders need to be changed every 3 or 4 days. If you cannot remember to change the nectar water, please take down your feeders because fermented water is a number one killer of hummingbirds.
Walking Sticks: Find and decorate walking sticks together. You can tie string around them and collect feathers, paint them, etc. Even as an adult, a good walking stick is a must when putting chickens up for the night.
Outdoor picnics: Plant at least one meal a week that is outside in nature. Maybe this week it’s grilling on the patio, but then next week might be a blanket in the grass with charcuterie boards. Perhaps sandwiches from your childhood while laying in a hammock, or a summer salad on the front porch as you wave at the neighbors passing by.

Thanks for reading our July Garden Calendar and To-Do List

As always, thanks for taking time to join on the gardening and permaculture journey. Be sure to check out the continual flow of content available via our social media channels. Remember, PermacultureFX also does virtual consulting (using Facetime, Zoom, satellite images, etc.). We’d love to help you get a plan for your property and help you create abundance and wonder.

If this article was helpful, consider sharing on social media (or with your garden groups) to help set others up to win on their property.

Happy Summer, and I’ll see you in the garden!

– Kristofer Edler

Join the Mailing List