Week 14 - The Last Week

For the last week, class was at the same time as an event in the Teaching Garden (I think it was called the Fall Festival?). There were a lot of plant related organizations there as well as plenty to do. Some notable ones were the you pick sunflowers, sweet potato harvest, and cassava harvest (as shown in the pic below with Kevin)

I forgot to take a photo of the garden this week, honestly it looks very similar to last week. With the cold weather, the plants aren't growing much anymore, and they're pretty much fully grown too.

Here is a photo on my way out, I always like the clear skies and sunsets in the fall.

And I just wanted to say thank you for teaching this awesome class! Your vegetable gardening class is one of the best and definitely the most memorable course I have taken at UF. What a great way to learn about gardening, by doing hands on work literally in the field. Thank you for providing me with this experience, and also thank you for introducing me to Connor and the Horticultural Science club where I will continue learning about plants and everything related!

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Week 13 - Cucumber & Bean harvest + Protected Ag Presentation

I started off the day by harvesting cucumbers and beans from the garden. They did really well and look perfect! Now for the bad news, the cucumber plants' leaves are still slowly dying from whatever disease they got. But the cucumbers are still growing. Key takeaways from the Protected Ag presentation: Lack of bacterial contamination by herbivores = greater food safety Types of hydroponic systems = Nutrient film technique, deep water culture, wick system, ebb and flow, drip system, aeroponics Pros of hydroponics = up to 90% less water used, no chemicals, consumers get it fresher, reduces damage/spoilage/waste due to not having to be transported as far, more can be grown quickly Cons of hydroponics = time consuming, requires expertise, requires 24/7 on site supervision/maintenance, needs constant electricity

Week 8 - Watermelon + Photosynthesis Presentation

This week I have noticed that there is something making some of the cucumber leaves turn very light colored, and also a watermelon has appeared. I think the plants will be sprayed with something to prevent the discoloration from getting worse. My first watermelon Key takeaways from the photosynthesis presentation: Photosynthesis = Sunlight is used to form sugars (carbohydrates) from 2 low-energy compounds (CO2 & H2O) Diurnal fluctuations = Temperature maximum shortly after noon, temperature minimum at sunrise Optimum range = most favorable growth, varies between family, genera, species, and sometimes cultivar Growing degree days or heat units = The quantity of heat experienced by a plant, determines when the plant will mature Temperature too low = Water can freeze in cells and burst them, causing the plant to die Temperature too high = Chemical reactions shut down as their machinery stops functioning and plant dies

Week 10 - Bugs + Garden Diseases and Pests Presentation

This week not much had changed in the garden, I did some weeding and noticed some red bugs on the cucumber and bean plants, and a few wasps around the corn. Sunset after class Key takeaways of the presentation on Garden Diseases and Pests: White flies = common in greenhouses, control with yellow sticky traps, parasitic wasps, or lady beetles. Leafminers = attacks members of the pumpkin, solanaceae, and pea families, but luckily are just a cosmetic issue. Southern flatcoil snail = thrives in moisture and shade, prevention includes keeping foliage dry, thinning plants to leave space for air circulation, and watering in the morning. Bean leafroller = attacks legumes, control by hand Squash bugs = attacks members of the pumpkin family, difficult to control with insecticides after reaching adulthood.

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