June 2, 2025
New Port Richey FarmNet
Committed to a healthy community, food sovereignty, and agrarian ideals
Join us at Ordinance One in downtown New Port Richey for
Evening Farmers’ Market – June 17, 5:30 to 7:30
Weather Report
We had an unusual and unexpected (but most welcome) front come through this past weekend. It brought rain, which was even more welcome, since we still have a couple more weeks before the start of the rainy season. There is also a good chance for rain on Monday, and better chance on Wednesday and Thursday as the front stalls, breaks apart, and unstable atmospheric conditions develop. Early in the week, temperatures will be bit below normal with increasing humidity and higher temperatures as the week progresses.
Despite the recent (and welcome) rain, this is the dry season, and we are in a drought. The good news is that recent rain did lift us from the extreme drought category. Even so, this the very dry season. Not only is rain uncommon at this time of year, it is also when the temperatures begin to climb. Dry season is mid-September through mid-June. What we call very dry season is mid-April to mid-June. Last week’s rain was most welcome and most unusual, thanks to an equally unusual cool front pushing into Florida. No one is complaining – certainly not the gardens, groves, and really all that lives in natural world.
A friend from out of town asked what we were growing in our gardens. Our grower responded, “A better world.”
Historical average for week: High, low 90s; Low, mid 70s
Forecast: High, high 80s to mid 90s; Low, upper 70s
Rain: Rain possibilities increasing, greatest likelihood Wednesday and Thursday
Harvest & Ripening Update
Harvest
Tomatoes – Harvest now. The season is ending. With the high heat rolling in, the fruit will not last long. The plants might, but the fruit will not set once temps are above 90 by day and above 80 by night. At our community and market garden (EMG), we harvested over 100 pounds this year. There are still some healthy plants and some ripening fruit, but most are struggling.
Cherries – Barbados cherries are now producing their spring fruit
Peaches Peaches are finished now. They follow loquats by about a month.
Winter Greens –Season is over, and the plants will soon succumb to the heat and the natural end of their life cycle. Best to cull, compost or return to soil. Some hardy brassicas may survive the heat and exceed usual life limits, and they can be celebrated if heart and time allow.
Starts
Beans Try lima beans – if you have not before. They will likely succeed where other beans do not.
Pigeon Peas These reliable legumes are flowering and producing pods now and until fall. Start more now.
Peppers (Hot) Start hot peppers now. We have done well with Habaneros in past summers.
Okra Start okra or open sow. Okra starts best in cells. Okra can be started all summer.
Blackeyed Peas Start now. Blackeyed peas can be started all summer long. Blackeyes are also called Cow Peas, Southern Peas, Crower Peas, and several other names.
Eggplant Start now. May not do well once summer arrives (late June).
Sweet Potato Slips – Start now. Best yielders for us are Georgia Jets and Beauregards. Many growers reported very light harvests for the past two years (2023 and 2024). We are planting heavily at our major gardens – nearly 1000 slips.
Mangos Look for the buds on mango trees. Look for first fruitlings. We are hearing reports that some trees in the area are ripening. FarmNet encourages all regenerative growers to have at least mango in their agroecological system.
Regenerative Growers’ Notes If spring/transitional plants (peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplants) are still thriving, stick with them. If they are weakening now, they will likely not recover. It is merciful to take their lives for compost or return to the earth. Of those listed here, the one most likely to survive and produce into the summer is eggplant. In recent years, this heretofore reliable summer plant has struggled during the summer, and only begun producing in the fall. Give eggplant a try (we are), and let us know how you do.
It may be too late to save seeds from winter crops, but if there are pods, save those from the most productive plants. Put netting over seed clusters if unwilling to share seeds with animal neighbors. Store seeds in sealed, moisture-free containers.
It is past time to start summer seeds or open sow for summer gardens. If you are not saving seeds, and not distributing last harvest to others, return the spent crops to the ground.
Tomatoes will not produce much (if anything) though the summer. As you cull and compost, check the roots. Most will likely have nematodes. Check for swollen knotty roots. Cut the roots off, and return the stalks to the soil. Some regenerative gardeners argue for keeping the nematode-effected roots in the soil to allow future crops (tomatoes and okras) to adapt. We have not tried that at our experimental garden; however, we have a long-lived nematode community in our beds, and our tomatoes and okra do get nematodes, every season! We also have strong and vigorous tomatoes and okra plants every year, with high yields and long production cycles. What this tells us is that our tomatoes and okra have adapted to the nematodes after many years of living with them. They are living with the nematodes and thriving despite their presence. Remember, our okra and tomatoes are all grown from seeds of plants from our gardens that have been growing in the nematode soil for generations.
As leaves are trimmed off and stems and any stalks cut up into small pieces, distribute leaves stems and stalks evenly over the beds, mulch over the area, irrigate the area at dusk or before dawn to start biodynamic activity. The culled winter and spring plants begin decomposing adding to the biodynamism of the soil, feeding insects, worms, and microorganisms. Plant summer crops in a week or two.
Best choices for planting now are sweet potato slips, okra, black-eyed peas, pigeon peas, and (possibly) eggplant. You can also open sow these reliable hot weather crops. See featured story on pigeon peas in previous issue of The West Pasco Urban Farm Report.
Hot peppers are worth a try. We’ve had success with habanero peppers in the summer. Time has passed for bell peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes.
In our nursery we have okra, and black-eyed pea seedlings. Orders for seeds and seedlings are accepted now. All are available to the community for donations. Remember, these seedlings are acclimated to the region and especially West Pasco. They will also produce reliable seeds for regeneration.
If you are still culling and composting transitional crops add spent crops to your compost system or return to the soil. FarmNet advocates no waste gardening.
For summer vegetable growing, if you are planting now, be sure to keep up with the irrigation. Use a watering can if possible. This method conserves water and allows for targeted irrigation. For regenerative growing, hand watering and watering-can irrigation is recommended. It is the most responsible and conservative approach during a drought – or anytime for that matter.
Hand watering and watering-can irrigation ensures only plants the gardener sees receive irrigation, and only those the gardener recognize as actually needing irrigation. Automatic systems do not allow for such focused and conservative water use – even drip systems are often less thrifty. Watering-can irrigation also allows gardeners to observe and interact with each bed, each row, and every plant.
Shade seedings: For new plantings, seedlings, and sweet potato slips, if you plant in full sun or little shade, use shade cloth, sun shields, shade grates, umbrellas, and canopies. If exposed to direct sun, most will not survive. Remember, in direct sunlight, ground temperatures typically run 10 degrees (or more) hotter than the air temperature – and the ground is where those precious seeds and seedling are trying to grow.
Do not plant trees or shrubs: This is not the time of year to plant trees and shrubs. In fact, it is probably the worst time to plant them, especially if they are being planted in a sunny location. The next period to even consider planting trees and shrubs is the rainy season (mid-June to mid-August, and maybe into September), but that also is not an ideal planting time, and do not plant unless it is certain that we will actually have a rainy season. Remember we did not have a rainy season in the summer of 2023. Best bet for planting trees and shrubs is January. The next best months, those on both sides of January (December and February). After that, next best, are the next pair out from January (November and March). October and April are worth considering but they are not ideal. It is definitely not a good time to plant now.
Nursery Notes
Sweet Potato Slips Round 3 – here now Sweet potato slips are here and being planted now. A limited number are available for local growers. Order now. Pick up must be by Wednesday (June 4). Suggested 25 for $15 – more if you can, less if needs be. 10 for $8 – more if you can, less if needs be.
We will have the reliable Georgia Jets and Beauregards.
If you desire seeds and seedlings, contact us through FarmNet web site, and join our mailing list for the Seed & Seedling Project. Go to https://farmnetnpr.com/
If you are looking for seeds and seedlings for local growing, FarmNet is the place to go. FarmNet features organic heirloom seeds from Seed Savers Exchange, and the FarmNet seed bank. FarmNet’s seed bank has the largest collection of local seeds in Pasco County, with over 30 different seeds with local genealogies dating back at least 10 years to as long as 25 years
Seedlings are also available. Right now, we have a good supply of seedlings, featuring sweet potato slips, black-eyed peas, lima beans, pigeon peas, and okra. Sweet potato slips will be gone by the end of the week, and maybe sooner. Order now if desired. All other summer seeds and seedlings will be available all summer: at least until August.
If you desire seeds and seedlings, contact us through FarmNet web site, and join our mailing list for the Seed & Seedling Project. Go to https://farmnetnpr.com/
Transitional crops., like peppers and tomatoes, might produce through the rest spring and into the early summer, but don’t count on it. It is simply too hot for them. Sweet Potatoes, Okra and black-eyed peas, pigeon peas, lima beans will thrive through the entire summer and into the fall. Eggplant is the wild card. It is warm weather/summer crop that lately has not had high yields. Try again this year.
Market News The next FarmNet Evening Market at Plants and Pints is June 17 (6/17).
Mark your calendar: FarmNet will have fresh local produce at Plants & Pints, at Ordinance One, in downtown New Port Richey, on Tuesday June 17, 5:30 to 7:30. June will feature summer offerings. Possibly sweet potato leaves (try them if you have not before), and hopefully first of okra and blackeyed peas.
In the meantime, CSA shareholders can pick up shares at the homestead every Tuesday evening. If you are interested in acquiring a share contact us through the FarmNet website https://farmnetnpr.com/
Weekly shares and single items are also available.
FarmNet has a table at Tasty Tuesday. Look for Amanda Zaborek, who can share FarmNet news, programs, and service opportunities.
Wright’s Famers’ Market is closed until the fall.
CSA & Fresh Harvest Feature: Tarragon. This week’s CSA fresh harvest feature offers a wonderful and under-appreciated herb: tarragon. Healthline tells us: “Tarragon, or Artemisia dracunculus L., is a perennial herb that comes from the sunflower family. It’s widely used for flavoring, fragrance and medicinal purposes. It has a subtle taste and pairs well with dishes like fish, beef, chicken, asparagus, eggs and soups.” See the Healthline website for “8 surprising benefits and uses of tarragon”: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/tarragon-benefits-uses
We have been growing it for years. It is a hardy herb and procures well throughout the year.
Of you’d like loquat preserves (jams and jelly), let us know.
Other CSA produce includes various herbs and cranberry hibiscus.
CSA shareholders can pick up their shares at the homestead every Tuesday evening. If you are interested in acquiring a share contact us through the FarmNet website https://farmnetnpr.com/
Weekly shares and single items are also available. Suggested donations: $10 one item, $20 any four, $30 five or more.
If you are interested in acquiring a share, contact us at https://farmnetnpr.com/ We’ll give you a day and time to pick them up.
Costs of annual shares are very modest compared with other CSAs.
Weekly, monthly, and quarterly shares are also available. Suggested donations:
Weekly $10 one item, $20 any four, $30 five or more.
Monthly (full share, 4 weeks): $70
Quarterly (full share): $180
Half Year (5 months) $250
Annual Share $400
If you would like to acquire local seeds and seedlings, send a message to New Port Richey FarmNet on Facebook and ask to be added to our mailing list.
Our project is supported through donations. This report and all other FarmNet programs and publications are funded through good-will contributions shared by supporters and those who find benefit in regenerative, sustainable community-based initiatives such as these. Contributions are tax-deductible and most welcome.
Send check or money order to:
FarmNet
PO Box 596
New Port Richey
Florida 34656-0596
FarmNet has a table at Tasty Tuesday. Look for Amanda Zaborek, who can share further details and information on the mission and vision of New Port Richey FarmNet mission, including our programs, events,and service opportunities.
To send a message to New Port Richey FarmNet, see FarmNet on Facebook or the “contact us” link on the webpage
FarmNet and Friendship Farms are registered branches of Ecology Florida, Inc., a not–for–profit organization, with 501(c)(3) designation. Contributions are tax deductible under section 107 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Ecology Florida is a registered charitable organization in the state of Florida. Registration number, CH 33333. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REIGSTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMEDNATION BY THE STATE.
New Port Richey FarmNet is dedicated to quickening the rise of a healthy and resilient community in the City of New Port Richey and surrounding areas based on agrarian principles and practices, and a commitment to food sovereignty.
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