By Michele Miller
What’s What New Port Richey
There is a comfort in knowing the key to little peace of mind can be steps from your door – or doors. The salve for gardening fanatics who know the feeling of new wonder at the sight of a sprout that’s peeking through the earth just days after sowing a seed, the first yellow cucumber bloom awaiting pollination, or the budding swell of a tiny tomato that, given care and some luck, will end up in your winter salad.
For the backyard farmer, the next cycle seems ready to greet us. The mums are putting on their annual show, the indigenous varieties beginning to shed spent summer leaves, and there’s amaryllis in the offing. There’s work to be done. Cares to let go of. Things to grow.
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Special Events
UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension Events for November
What to Plant in November
Gardening & Horticulture Groups & Resources
FarmNet Annual Community Dinner, 5:30 p.m. Saturday, November 7, in Peace Hall in downtown New Port Richey | Covered Dish or $25
New Port Richey FarmNet invites the community to the annual Community Dinner served buffet style. Labeled vegan or vegetarian dishes are preferred. Animal protein is allowed and requested to be clearly labeled as such. To make a reservation, email Dell deChant at ddechant@tampabay.rr.com or Amanda Zborek at ajozborek@gmail.com.
New Port Richey FarmNet Hosts Organic Thanksgiving Food Drive
New Port Richey FarmNet is leading a holiday food drive and seeking donations of quality foods and vegetables. Link to the press release on that here to see when, where, and how to donate.
UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension Events and Programs
- How to Care for & Grow Amaryllis, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Thursday, November 5 at the Wesley Chapel Library
- Native Plants, 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, November 9 at the Regency Park Library in New Port Richey. A Master Gardener volunteer will speak on the importance of native plants.
- Staghorn Ferns, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Saturday, November 7 at Canterbury Farms in Hudson.
- UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension | Bananas and Other Backyard Fruit, 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, November 10 at the New River Library in Wesley Chapel.
- UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension | Worm Composting | Vermiculture, 2-3 p.m. Thursday, November 10 at Heritage Park in Land O’Lakes. Get tips from a volunteer Master Gardener on how to compost with worms.
- How to Deal with Cold-Sensitive Plants, 10-11 a.m. Satruday, November 21 at Canterbury Farms in Hudson. Learn the best ways to protect cold-sensitive plants in your landscape from Kate Kaste, Program Manager for the Florida-Friendly Landscaping program at UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County
What To Plant in November | Central Florida
- Edibles
- Easily transplant: arugula, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, collards, endive, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, sugarcane, and Swiss chard.
- Transplant with care: celery, mustard, pineapple, potatoes, and spinach.
- Use seeds: carrots, onions (bulbing, bunching), peas (English), radish, and turnips.
- Ornamentals
- Full sun: Alyssum, Baby‘s Breath, Bacopa, Begonia (Wax), Calendula, Calibrachoa, Dianthus, Dusty Miller, Foxglove, Geranium, Lavender, Periwinkle, Petunia, Snapdragon, Strawflower, Verbena, Viola
- Partial sun: Alyssum, Baby‘s Breath, Bacopa, Begonia (Wax), Calendula, Calibrachoa, Dianthus, Dusty Miller, Foxglove, Geranium, Periwinkle, Petunia, Snapdragon, Verbena, Viola
For more information on UF/IFAS Pasco County Master Gardener Events, visit sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/pasco
Local Gardening Resources
- New Port Richey FarmNet promotes local food systems – from farm or garden to table – focusing on sustainable principles that include hosting educational agriculture events and festivals, maintaining community gardens – including Grand Gardens in New Port Richey – filling the New Port Richey Library seed library with local and successful varieties, and supporting local businesses. For information on NPR FarmNet and garden plot prices, visit farmnetnpr.com
- UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County’s Community Gardens Program assists communities county-wide to develop sustainable, food-producing community gardens. The Community Gardens Program offers free plots, education, and training. For more information, visit pascocountyfl.gov/services/cooperative_extension/community_gardens
- Master Gardener Volunteer Program – Master Gardener Volunteers are trained by county Extension agents and specialists from the University of Florida. After their training, they help teach people in the community about plants and gardening. In this program, volunteers learn about topics like plant science, soil, insects, and how to identify and care for different plants. The Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program is part of the Cooperative Extension Service, which belongs to the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).
- How to Become a MGV: You are required to attend the Meet & Greet – a mandatory informational session covering training, volunteering, and requirements. The training itself is 10-12 weeks long and meets once a week, in-person. There are annual requirements to remain certified, trained volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a Pasco County Master Gardener Volunteer, please email Program Manager Jillian Meek.
- Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County – Answers on basic questions, FREE irrigation evaluations for Pasco Citizens, and more resources.
- 4-H and Youth Development – In 4-H, young people have the opportunity to “experience” through “hands-on” learning and discovery in project areas such as foods and nutrition, sewing, hiking, citizenship, community service, photography, large and small animals, lap animals, horses, and more.
- Livestock, Pasture Management, and Agriculture
- Commercial Horticulture & Integrated Pest Management – The Commercial Horticulture and Integrated Pest Management Program at UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension connects local growers with research-based resources to support environmentally friendly and sustainable horticultural practices. Our goal is to help growers maximize crop quality and yield while preserving the fragile Florida ecosystem.
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