West Pasco Urban Farm Report
The One & Only Farm Report for Urban Growers on the Pasco’s Gulf Coast
September 15, 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
Plant Swap, Evening Farmers’ Market, and Educational Program – September 16, 5:30 to 7:30
Weather Report
Dry season arrives.
Temperature and precipitation will be near normal this week, with slightly higher rain chances near the end of the week. We will be in the upper 80s to low 90s for highs and mid 70s for lows. Historical average temperature is now 89 and by the end of the month be at 87. Early this week will see lower humidity, which will bring lower temperatures overnight and increased temperatures during the day.
We are entering the dry season, which will extend until next June. The summer rainy season is over. From here on out (until next June) rain will be a consequence of fronts and (until November) tropical systems. Any rain we receive is welcome.
This summer, most of our rain has been from tropical waves and fronts moving north and south. While tropical waves do occur in the summer (along with tropical storms and hurricanes), we’ve had more than usual. Fronts are even less common.
The end result is that we are near normal for precipitation this summer, but the rain has been sporadic, with long dry stretches and periods of intense downpours. This type of weather is very different from normal summer cycles. Without those fronts and tropical systems this would be another dry “rainy” season. So, we are thankful for that rain we have received – even if it has been unusual.
As we enter the dry season, any rain we receive will be the result of fronts. Tropical systems are still possible until late November, although their likelihood diminishes with each passing day. After that, it will just be fronts; cold fronts from the north and warm fronts from the south, often the same front arriving as a cold front from the north stalls and then drifts back to the north as warm front – brining rain both times as is passes over the area.
Climate and Temperature Notes: The average high is now 89 band will drop to down to 87 by the end of the month. The long summer run of 90 degrees is over. It extends from late May to early September. Watch the thermometer at your home and temperature reports in the media to see if daily highs are dropping into the 80s this year.
Climate and Temperature Notes: The average high is now 89 band will drop to down to 87 by the end of the month. The long summer run of 90 degree highs is over. The 90-degree run extends from late May to early September. Watch the thermometer at your home and temperature reports in the media to see if daily highs are dropping into the 80s this month. They probably will this week.
This slight drop in average temperature is first hint of the fall, which begins on the astronomical/solar calendar on September 22. This is known as the autumnal equinox – “After the autumnal equinox, days become shorter than nights as the Sun continues to rise later and nightfall arrives earlier. This ends with the winter solstice, after which days start to grow longer once again.”
For information on how average temperatures are determined, see the last two issues of West Pasco Urban Farm Report, at this website.
Historical average for week: High, 89; Low, mid 70s
Forecast: High, upper 80s to mid 90s; Low, upper to mid70s
Rain: Entering the dry season. Rain possibilities are low, which is normal for September.
Regenerative Growers’ Notes Time to start the fall garden and close out the summer beds. Cullings can begin – composting, mulching, and return spent summer crops to the soil.
For a detailed summary of how to cull and prepare your summer garden for the transition into fall, see the last two issues of West Pasco Urban Farm Report, at this website.
Moving into the transitional months of September and October, the best crops are tomatoes, peppers, and (if we can get something close to normal fall temperature declines) cucumbers. Dragon tongue beans are also a good choice; and we are trying lima beans and egg plants. Those latter two crops were once summer crops, but our new-climate summers have been too hot for them. So, we are pushing them into the fall. We will go with more pigeon peas and luffa, too.
Start thinking about starting fall and winter crops. If you are setup to start seeds inside under grow lights and the space is relative cool, try starting winter vegetables in late September. Try brassicas and lettuces. It won’t be cool enough to plant outside until November, but good seedlings could be ready by then if started in late September or early October.
Harvest & Ripening Update
Harvest
Summer season is over. Time for the last harvests. Summer crops will now decline and perish. Culling and composting can begin now or after last harvest.
Blackeyed Peas Check your rows and towers now. Pods should be diminishing on most plants. Many will be drying out, so plan to harvest for future use as dry beans or for planting next year.
Big Reds are the last to produce pods. They should be nearing the end of their cycle.
Start saving best pods for seeds for next year.
Cull and compost the plants.
Eggplant If you tired eggplant, check for fruit. The heat took a toll on our eggplants this year.
Cull and compost plants planted in the summer.
Lima Beans If you planted lima beans, check for pods, likely dry by now. Limas will be nearing the end of their cycle.
Cull and compost summer plants.
Luffa Keep up with the luffa. Fruit will appear well into the fall, perhaps longer if there is mild winter.
Remember: try luffa as a food product.
Okra Harvest now and monitor for health and strength. Don’t let them get too long. Harvest pods whey they are 3-4 inches. If they get much longer, they may be woody.
If you planted late, you may yet get a harvest – until early October.
This is when nematode impact will become obvious. Look for leaf drop and failed fruit.
Note: if you are using seeds or seedlings from FarmNet nursery, the pods may stay tender longer.
Our Silver Queen and Red Burgundy stay tender up to 8 inches and some up to 10 inches.
To be sure, however, 3-4 inches is best (safest).
Start saving best pods for seeds for next year.
Okra will produce into September, maybe longer due to changing climate.
Cull and compost the weak, dying, and dead plants.
Pigeon Peas These reliable legumes are flowering and producing pods now and will until fall, and even
beyond. Start more now.
Sweet Potato Leaves Yes. Harvest you sweet potato leaves for an excellent summer green vegetable.
If you have not tried sweet potato leaves, give them a try, and as a colleague aways says: Try them, and join the rest of the world.
Nutritional Profile: https://www.nutritionadvance.com/sweet-potato-leaves-nutrition/
Comparison of SP Leaves with Collard Greens
Recipes https://www.natureword.com/5-sweet-potato-leaves-recipe-ideas-and-uses/
- We use SP leaves in any recipe where we would use collard greens – soups, sauces, omelets, stir-fry, boiled in water or vegetable stock with a little ghee
Sweet Potatoes Time for first harvests for some. Check your planting dates. The earliest the spuds are ready is 90 days (3 months) from planting. If you planted in May, they may be ready now. If in June, check toward the end of the month.
Starts
Summer plantings should cease. Although we will likely have summer temperatures through October, there will not be enough time for the plants to mature. If you have summer plants already established, monitor them for flowers and fruit.
Transitional Crops
For September and October, transitional crops are recommended. Try these reliable late summer early fall crops
Arugula– an excellent choice, especially if using FarmNet seeds. Will take a freeze
Cucumbers – a reliable choice, if heat breaks a bit. Will fail in a freeze
Dragon Tongue Beans – a good bean for late summer into fall. May take a light frost.
Luffa – excellent as a nutritious addition to many recipes, raw, or juiced – or dry out as a sponge. Freezes are fatal. Can take lows in the 50s and maybe as low as 40.
Pigeon Peas – good choice for fall and going forward, will survive for a year or more if no freezes
Peppers – Bell peppers are recommended. Freeze will kill
Tomatoes – We recommend smaller varieties: cherry and plum sized. Freeze will kill.
Winter crops can be started inside in climatized cool space, with grow lights. Watch for recommendations for late-fall and winter starts later this month. We are starting collards, kale, broccoli. Wait for November to start or transplant winter seeds and seedlings.
“Butterfly Weed” for Monarchs: A FarmNet Community Agroecological Project. New Port Richey FarmNet together with the City’s Environmental Committee organizes the City’s Monarch Festival every spring. In preparation, this year Farm Net nurseries and gardens are growing “Butterfly Weed” (Asclepias tuberosa), and encouraging everyone in the community to join in.
FarmNet is offering “Butterfly Weed” seeds to all who are willing to join this Agroecological Project. As many know, New Port Richey is recognized Monarch City, USA, and we are promoting the propagation and installation of native milkweed to support restoration of this imperiled creature. See this short clip on our commitment to the Monarchs: New Port Richey celebrating its role in protecting Monarch butterflies https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local-news/new-port-richey-celebrating-its-role-in-protecting-monarch-butterflies
If you desire seeds and seedlings (including the milkweed seeds for our experiment), contact us through the FarmNet web site, and join our mailing list for the Seed & Seedling Project. Go to https://farmnetnpr.com/
For details on plantings seedlings, trees, and shrubs see the last two issues of West Pasco Urban Farm Report, at this website.
Nursery Notes
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. 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/
Market News The next FarmNet Evening Market at Plants and Pints is September 16 (9/16).
Mark your calendar: FarmNet will have fresh local produce at Plants & Pints, at Ordinance One, in downtown New Port Richey, on Tuesday September 16, 5:30 to 7:30.
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 also has a table at Tasty Tuesday. Look for Amanda Zborek
Wright’s Famers’ Market will be starting in October. FarmNet will be there.
Seasonal Harvest Festival. The next FarmNet seasonal Food Festival is the Sweet Potato Roundup in Novebmer.
Join our CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Program
If you are interested in acquiring a CSA 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 Zborek, 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.
This week’s image
Silver Queen Okra, Sweet Potato Bed, and, Luffa. Silver queen okra, sweet potato bed, and luffa at residential garden installation with FarmNet volunteer.
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