Plan for Your 2024 Bounty!
Plan Your 2024 Bounty!
Happy New Year, fellow homesteaders! As the crisp January air invigorates us, it's also the perfect time to start planning for a thriving 2024 garden. Let's ditch the generic calendars and create a personalized guide tailored to our region's unique climate. Here's how to get started:
Know Your Zone: Florida boasts multiple USDA hardiness zones. Knowing yours (likely zones 8b, 9a, or 9b) is crucial for understanding frost dates and ideal planting times. A quick online search will reveal your specific zone.
Frost Dates Matter: Average last frost dates in Northeast Florida typically fall between mid-February and mid-March. This knowledge is gold! It tells you when to safely plant frost-sensitive vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and squash.
Embrace the Seasons: Northeast Florida has a long growing season. Take advantage of it! Plant cool-season crops like lettuce, kale, spinach, and beets in early spring. As temperatures rise, transition to warm-season favorites like tomatoes, peppers, okra, and melons.
Herb Haven: Don't forget the herbs! They're a low-maintenance way to add flavor to your meals. Plant basil, parsley, cilantro, and chives in early spring and enjoy them throughout the season.
Blooming Beauties: Flowers aren't just for show! They attract pollinators that benefit your vegetable garden. Consider planting vibrant wildflowers or bee-friendly options like cosmos, zinnias, and marigolds.
Local Resources: Your local extension office or gardening clubs are treasure troves of information. Consult their planting calendars and seek advice tailored to Northeast Florida's specific climate.
By planning your 2024 garden calendar now, you'll be ready to hit the ground running when planting season arrives. Remember, ladies, a little planning goes a long way in ensuring a bountiful harvest and a thriving homesteading haven!
Blog/In The News
On Tuesday, April 8th, our founder and president, Anna Barbary, had the honor of being a guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Orange Park Sunset. This was a meaningful opportunity to introduce more people to the mission, history, and goals of the Northeast Florida Homesteading and Prepping Ladies, and to spread awareness about the exciting initiatives we have coming up. Anna was joined by our dedicated Secretary and Treasurer, making the evening even more memorable. Together, they shared our nonprofit’s vision of empowering women through community-building, preparedness education, and self-reliance skills. From growing your own food to being ready for anything life throws your way, the message of resilience and local connection was warmly received. We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Rotary Club President Jeremiah Aut and all the members for the warm welcome and the opportunity to speak. The support and genuine interest shown by this inspiring group of community leaders meant a great deal to us. As a Rotarian herself, Anna always enjoys the chance to forge new Rotary friendships and strengthen bonds with those who are passionate about service and community impact. We are excited to continue building relationships across Northeast Florida and look forward to participating in more local events. Stay tuned for upcoming workshops, meetups, and ways to get involved with our mission! For event updates, resources, or to become a member of our growing community of like-minded women, be sure to explore our website and follow us on social media. Together, we grow stronger, smarter, and more prepared.
Our nonprofit has won its first grant! The Capital City Bank Group Foundation awarded Northeast Florida Homesteading and Prepping Ladies Inc. a grant of $250.00. The funds will go directly towards our pilot program, Jars of Change: Canning Together, Healing Forever. Please click here for more information: Empower Women | Homesteading Ladies Inc. ( neflhpl.org ) Our board members and advisory board members would like to thank Patricia Evans and the entire team at Capital City Bank for believing in our nonprofit. Together, we will forge a path towards a brighter and more self-reliant tomorrow.