Wendy's Wanderings
November 12, 2020
Seasons Eatings
“To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose.” I consider these lyrics from an old Byrds song as fall rolls into our Florida gardens and landscapes. In the yard we see the oh-so-subtle change in the deciduous trees and the fall show of wildflowers. Florida aster, golden rod and native sunflowers let us know that we are getting our mild seasonal change.
In the veggie garden, if we planned correctly or got lucky, we can eat with the season too. Sweet potatoes, greens, and green beans are being harvested now and they hopefully will make it to your Thanksgiving table. In Florida we are fortunate because it is easy to eat seasonally. Eating seasonally means that you consume what is locally harvested at its freshest.
If you haven’t grown it yourself, a quick visit to your farmers market will yield bags of seasonally fresh local produce for your harvesttime table. My latest haul contained Seminole pumpkin, yellow squash, jalapenos, and a big bag of cracked pecans. In South Florida, carambola, avocado, guava, and passion fruit are ripe for the picking.
The benefits of eating seasonally are that you are supporting local agriculture and keeping our farmers farming. You are also getting the freshest produce available to you and since it traveled only a few miles to your market, the carbon footprint of the food is greatly reduced. Plus, there usually is a cost savings. If they have lots of collard greens you usually get them at a very good price, so not only is it good for your health and community, it is good for your budget. An added bonus is the variety! So many times you get to try varieties that you would never see in a conventional store, like different Asian cabbages, crazy squashes, or heirloom lettuces that bring diversity to your table and taste buds.
As you are planning your family feasts this month consider seasonal options from your local growers. Check out the "Get Growing" page on UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions to find a farmers market near you and to find out what's in season. While you are there check out the planning and planting guides for vegetable gardening for next years harvest time.
-- Wendy Wilber