Wholly Water Farms Newsletter

Issue #1 — January 2025

A Note from Sara

Happy New Year, friends. There is something about January in Florida that feels like a quiet gift. While much of the country is buried in snow, we are out here with our hands in the soil, watching strawberry fields flush red and cool-season greens reach their peak. This is the month I love most for planning. I have been sketching out new growing trials, expanding our microgreen varieties, and dreaming about what 2025 will bring for Wholly Water Farms and for all of you growing alongside us.

Whether you are a seasoned grower or just getting curious, I want this newsletter to be your monthly companion. Let us dig in together.

From the Blog

Florida January Growing Guide 2025

January is prime time for cool-season crops in Florida. This guide walks you through exactly what to plant now, how to protect tender seedlings from the occasional frost, and which varieties perform best in our unique climate. If you only read one post this month, make it this one.

Growing Berries in Florida

Think you cannot grow berries in the Sunshine State? Think again. From blueberries that thrive in our acidic soil to strawberries that love our mild winters, this post covers variety selection, soil preparation, and the patience required to get a good harvest.

Pea Shoot Microgreens Guide

Pea shoots are one of the most rewarding microgreens you can grow at home. They are sweet, crunchy, and ready to harvest in about ten days. I walk you through the whole process from seed to plate.

Seasonal Growing Tip

Starting Seeds Indoors for Spring Transplants

January is the perfect month to start tomato, pepper, and eggplant seeds indoors. Use a quality seed-starting mix and keep your trays in a warm spot, ideally between 75 and 85 degrees. A simple heat mat makes a big difference. Start six to eight weeks before your planned outdoor transplant date, which here in Central Florida means seeds should go in the tray by mid-January for a March garden. Label everything. Trust me on that one.

Florida Agriculture Spotlight

Florida strawberry season is in full swing, and nowhere is that more visible than in the Plant City area, east of Tampa. Hillsborough County produces the majority of Florida's winter strawberry crop, and many farms open their fields for u-pick through March. If you have never visited during peak season, January and February are the time. The flavor of a berry picked warm off the vine is something a grocery store carton simply cannot replicate.

Quick FAQ

Q: When should I start my tomato seeds indoors in Florida?

A: For most of peninsular Florida, start tomato seeds indoors in mid to late January for a spring garden. This gives your seedlings six to eight weeks of growth before transplanting outdoors in March, once nighttime temperatures stay reliably above 50 degrees.

Here is to a fresh start and a fruitful year ahead. I am grateful you are part of this community, and I look forward to growing with you in 2025.

Warmly,
Sara Johnson
President, Wholly Water Farms, Inc.

Wholly Water Farms, Inc. • Florida

whollywaterfarms.com

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