West Pasco Urban Farm Report
The One & Only Farm Report for Urban Growers on the Pasco’s Gulf Coast
October 27, 2025
New Port Richey FarmNet
Committed to a healthy community, food sovereignty, and agrarian ideals
News “Flash”
FarmNet hosts dinner and gala celebrating Grand Gardens’ 10th anniversary
November 20, 2025, 6:00 p.m. – Food prepared by local restuarant Gone Juicing.
Seating is limited with a suggested donation to hold a seat. Sponsorship of the dinner and gala is welcome. Event contingent on community support and donations. Contact us if you are interested and to receive information on sponsorship, reservations, donations, and location. Zborek ajozborek@gmail.com deChant ddechant@tampabay.rr.com
Dry Season Continues
Dryer than usual with a slight dip in temperature
Weather Report
Temperatures and precipitation will be near normal at the start of the week, with possibility of a cool front later in the week – first cool front of the season.
Warm to start the week, cooler later. Dry throughout. Very dry, all week. Highs will be above normal until midweek, then, drifting below normal with the expected front. Lows will be a below normal all week.
Until midweek, look for highs in the upper 80s and lows in the 70s and possibly upper 60s. Late week, Wednesday and later, highs may drop to upper 70s, lows into the 60s, and maybe upper 50s
After a slight chance of rain on Monday, rain is unlikely. Historical average (“normal”) high temperature is now 83. By the start of next week, the historical average high will be 81. Historical average (“normal”) low is 66 and will drop to 64 by the end of the week. Average (normal) rainfall has now leveled out at dry season norm. For this week, average rain is .04.
As we’ve reported since September, we are now well into the dry season, which lasts until mid-June, 2026. 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 week’s expected front is unlikely to bring any rain as it passes over our area.
See this site (still available) for daily historical normal temperatures for each month of the year.
Going forward into fall and winter, the only rain we receive will be from fronts – except, of course, for a possible late season tropical system, which looks less likely by the day.
Climate and Temperature Notes The average/normal high is now 83. October averages reveal a rather dramatic drop in high temperatures – from 89 at the start of the month, down to 82 by the end of the month. A full 7 degrees.
The long summer run of 90-degree average highs is over, although we may have 90s again before winter. The 90-degree run of average highs extends from late May to mid-September – and lately into October.
Historically, average lows are now in the 60s, which has been the case at the thermometer stations in our gardens.
Historical average for week: High, 83; Low, low to mid 60s
Forecast: High, high 80s to mid 70s; Low, low to mid 60s
Rain: Entering the dry season. Rain possibilities very low.
Shade seedings: As noted previously, if you plant in October, shade young plantings and seedlings. We are seeing this ourselves as most of our seasonal crops are struggling. Even with sharding and irrigation, we’ve lost about ¼ of our October plantings.
So, strong reminder: if you plant in full sun or little shade, use shade cloth, sun shields, shade grates, umbrellas, and canopies. If exposed to direct sun, many will not survive. This a hot and dry time of the year. You must keep all seedlings irrigated – in the ground or in pots and cells.
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 live and grow.
Advisory on planting trees or shrubs: October is a transitional month, and typically very hot and very dry. Although this week will bring cooler temperatures, heat may yet return.
Young plants, seedlings, and transplants will likely be stressed and even more so if they are being planted in a sunny location. 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.
Regenerative Growers’ Notes It is time to begin planting the fall garden but see notes on shading and irrigation. Last summer crops (okra, black-eyed peas, eggplant) are probably spent, although we still have some okra and black-eyed peas. If they are flourishing, there may yet be a harvest – especially with okra. The hot and dry conditions of September and October usually hasten the passing of summer crops.
The Regenerative Routine As planting space opens up, begin regenerative work. The full routine goes like this: leave spent plants on the site (cut stems at the base, leave the roots), chop up and otherwise dismember the spent plants as finely as possible, add cullings from other beds, layer manures (green and brown) over the cullings, add compost, then organic soil, and finish with a layer of mulch. Now, that’s the full routine. In our experience the first step (chopping up spent plants) and the final step (layering on new mulch) are the very most important; and if you have been following a regenerative model, that may be all you need to do. Of course, the more local organic material that can be added, the better.
Seaweed Side Bar Some in the circle use seaweed as a compost layer, which can be an abundant and very helpful contribution to soil enrichment. Be sure to rinse seaweed to remove saltwater and toxins. A USF project has found alarmingly high quantities of “forever chemicals” in local waters. As NPR and BBC World Service report: “The project started after 2020, when extremely high levels of harmful ‘forever chemicals,’ known as PFAS, were discovered in fish from the estuary. The federal government previously set a standard for certain PFAS chemicals in drinking water to four parts per trillion. [Researcher, Steve,] Murawski said some bay fish tested five years ago had up to 31,000 parts per trillion.”
Also, see Bay News 9 report, at: https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2025/10/25/tampa-bay-surveillance-project
October’s best crops are tomatoes, peppers, and (if we can get something close to normal fall temperature declines) cucumbers. Cucumbers will sprout quickly and grow fast, but they do not like the heat. Low 80 are best for them. We are going with radishes and turnips this fall, too. As noted previously, we are making a commitment to silk melons (luffa), and we’ll how they do as we drift deeper into fall.
Dragon tongue beans are also a good choice. Most of the dragons we planted have struggled, but a planting in one our residential beds is thriving and flowering. We’ll try another run this week.
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 now. 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 now. All the fall-transitional crops noted above can also succeed in the fall and into the winter, if temperatures remain mild. Tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers will not survive a freeze.
Harvest
Summer crops may still have some ripe fruit, but most are likely spent. If they are still green, flowering, and fruiting, and if you want to nurture them further, they may yet produce some fruit; but it is too late to expect much production.
If you are saving seeds, check spent plants for dry pods and shells. If the pods and shells rattle when shaken, they will have seeds for your personal seed bank – for next year.
Last of Summer List
Here is the list summer crops for final check, seed saving, then culling. and return to the soil:
Black-eyed Peas
Eggplant
Lima Beans
Luffa
Okra
Pigeon Peas
Sweet Potato Leaves
Transitional & Early Fall Harvests
Arugula If you are using our seeds, you may have some nice heads by now.
Brassicas Regenerative growers will see various young brassicas sprouting in areas where their parents grew last year. Some will likely have harvestable leaves – e.g., in our gardens: mustard greens and Asian blue collards. Our brassicas seedlings are still smallish, but some that sprouted in previous beds are large enough for harvest.
Cucumbers Probably still too hot and too many hungry insects, but check. May have to compost current crop if weakening due to heat and predation.
Dragon Tongue Beans. First pods may be appearing now – as they are for some in the network.
Luffa/ Silk Melon check vines for continued fruiting – as they are from several in the network.
Sweet Potatoes Time for harvests for some for many. Check your planting dates. The earliest spuds are ready 90 days (3 months) from planting. If you planted in May or June, they should be ready now. If in July, check toward the end of the month.
Tomatoes Some fruit may be ripe. Our first tomatoes came in last week.
Peppers Worth a check.
Starts
Transitional Crops
For 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. Keep planting though the fall.
Collards, Sothern – Give them a try now. We have stated seedlings, which have germinated but are struggling.
Collards, Asian Blue (“Peking Ta Ching Kou Pai Tsai”) – Our Asian Blue Collards are sprouting nicely and those in the regenerative beds are springing up with vigor and interest in life. It is early, but our seeds are revealing good acclimation to the Florida Springs Coast climate and ecosystem.
Cucumbers – a tricky favorite. Reliable choice, if heat breaks a bit. Will fail in a freeze. Watch for pickle worms.
Dragon Tongue Beans – a good bean for late summer into fall. May take a light frost.
Luffa/ Silk Melon – 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.
Mustard Greens – Like our Asian Blue Collards, our mustard seeds are sprouting nicely and those in the regenerative beds are springing up with vigor and interest in life. It is early, but our seeds are revealing good acclimation to the Florida Springs Coast climate and ecosystem.
Pigeon Peas – good choice for fall and going forward, will survive for a year or more if no freezes
Peppers – Bell peppers are recommended., but a bit fussy. Slow to germinate. Does not like 90 degree temperatures on the one hand and does not it too cool, either. Freeze will kill.
Radishes – Okay now, and better in coming weeks.
Tomatoes – We recommend smaller varieties: cherry and plum sized. Freeze will kill.
Turnips – Same note as with radishes. Not too early, but better in coming weeks.
Winter crops
Note: All transitional crops noted above can be maintained into winter, although cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers will do better if the winter is mild.
November is now the earliest safe time to plant winter gardens. It is almost here, so worth a try if you like.
Winter crops can be started inside in climatized cool space, with grow lights. You can also take a chance and try them outside in cells or open sow. Starting outside now is risky – very dry and still too hot. Will need daily irrigation – maybe twice a day.
Recommendations for late-fall and winter starts. Best Bets:
Any Brassicas, especially those noted here:
Broccoli
Collards
Kale
“Butterfly Weed” for Monarchs ~ A FarmNet Community Agroecological Initiative
Milkweed Regeneration & Monarch Restoration Project
Become a Milkweed Shepherd
FarmNet is offering “Butterfly Weed” (Asclepias tuberosa) seeds to all who are willing to join this Ecological Project and inviting everyone to become Milkweed Shepherds. As many know, New Port Richey is recognized as a 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
In conjunction with and to complement FarmNet’s Milkweed Regeneration and Monarch Restoration Project, here is a site with information about Florida milkweeds, which features our own Butterfly weed, Asclepias Tuberosa!
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/milkweed/#:~:text=Butterflyweed%2C%20Asclepias%20tuberosa%2C%20is%20one,USDA%20Hardiness%20Zones%203%2D10a
Excerpt:
Asclepias Tuberosa sports attractive, bright blooms and is very hardy. For these reasons it is frequently stocked in nurseries around the state. Butterflyweed grows as a perennial in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-10a. From late summer through early fall it produces orange or yellow flowers. A. tuberosa’s vibrant colors make it attractive to a number of pollinators.
Milkweed Shepherds We are offering the seeds to any who are willing to join the project. We will share a small selection of seeds (about 10 or so), with anyone willing to plant them, monitor their growth, and report. We will also share planting cells and soil with folks who volunteer to be Milkweed Shepherds, with the provision that when seedlings are established, they are returned to FarmNet. The Milkweed Shepherd, when receives another set of seeds, cells, and soil, and begins the process again. If you would like to join this effort write to us for the gift and details on the project.
New Port Richey FarmNet together with the City’s Environmental Committee organizes the City’s Monarch Festival every spring. Our Milkweed Regeneration and Monarch Restoration Project will enhance the festival, adding more locally acclimated milkweed to the annual plants to the annual sharing feature of the festival – and further encouraging everyone in the community to plant more milkweed.
So far, our Milkweed Regeneration and Monarch Restoration Project has been successful – all seeds have all germinated. We have young plants from June, July, August, and September. So far, so good!
Here is some more good news on the project: Our first Milkweed Shepherds have returned nicely developed seedlings to our nursery. In return, the shepherds receive more seeds and planting cells, to start another family.
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/
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 and some 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 November 18 (11/18).
Mark your calendar: FarmNet will have fresh local produce at Plants & Pints, at Ordinance One, in downtown New Port Richey, on Tuesday November 18, 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 – Tuesday mornings at the New Port Richey Public Library. Look for Amanda Zborek.
Wright’s Famers’ Market has started. First market was October 26, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m..
After the 26th, Wright’s Farmers’ Market is every 2nd and 4th Sunday through May.
Event News 10th Anniversary of Grand Gardens and annual Sweet Potato Roundup.
Sweet Potato Roundup November 22, 2025, 11:00 a.m.
New Port Richey Public Library
The Sweet Potato Roundup features organic sweet potatoes, offered by New Port Richey FarmNet farmers and gardeners and other local growers. We will have tastings of sweet potato dishes and treats, including those available for sale by local chefs and home-kitchen artisans.
Special related events
Sweet Potato Walk, November 17, 10:00. New Port Richey Library
Grand Gardens 10th anniversary dinner and gala, November 20, 6:00 p.m.
Grand Gardens 10th anniversary celebration & rededication, November 23, 11:00 a.m.
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: Volunteers Continuing Sweet Potato Harvest at Grand Gardens
The third major harvest of sweet potatoes in the FarmNet garden network was at Grand Gardens, October 19, 2025. Committed gardeners and friends of Grand Gardens pitched in. Like the first, the second harvest netted about 200 pounds of sweet potatoes, including the largest cluster ever harvested in our history (in the image), weighing in at over 20 pounds.
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