Wholly Water Farms Newsletter

Issue #3 — March 2025

A Note from Sara

While the rest of the country waits for spring, we are already living in it. The jasmine outside our farm office has been blooming for two weeks, and I can hardly step outside without noticing something new leafing out. March in Florida is a month of transition. We are saying goodbye to our cool-season crops and making room for tomatoes, peppers, squash, and everything that loves the heat. It is busy, it can feel a little chaotic, and I would not trade it for anything.

This month, I am sharing our March planting guide, digging into the science behind nutrient-dense food, and offering a simple wheatgrass growing tutorial. Let us get into it.

From the Blog

Florida March Growing Guide 2025

March is the most action-packed month in the Florida garden. This guide covers the timing of warm-season transplants, which cool-season crops to harvest before they bolt, and how to manage the overlap between the two. I also share my planting calendar so you can plan your beds with confidence.

Nutrient Density in Food Explained

Not all calories are created equal, and not all vegetables deliver the same nutritional punch. This post explains what nutrient density actually means, why it matters for your health, and how growing practices, including soil quality and harvest timing, directly affect the vitamins and minerals in the food on your plate.

Growing Wheatgrass at Home

Wheatgrass is one of the easiest and fastest crops you can grow on your kitchen counter. In this step-by-step guide, I cover soaking, sprouting, growing, and harvesting, plus how to juice it and what to realistically expect from a nutritional standpoint.

Seasonal Growing Tip

Hardening Off Seedlings Before Transplanting Outdoors

If you started seeds indoors in January, your seedlings are probably looking strong and eager for the garden. But transplanting them directly from a climate-controlled room into full Florida sun is a recipe for shock. Spend seven to ten days hardening them off. Start with an hour or two of morning sun in a sheltered spot, then gradually increase the duration and exposure each day. By the end of the week, they should be spending full days outside. Water them well through the process. Patience here pays off with stronger, more resilient plants.

Florida Agriculture Spotlight

If you have ever wanted hands-on gardening guidance tailored to Florida, look into the UF/IFAS Extension Master Gardener program. County extension offices across the state offer free workshops on everything from citrus care to vegetable gardening and native plants. Many programs run spring sessions starting in March. It is one of the best free resources available to Florida growers, and the volunteers who run these programs are genuinely passionate and knowledgeable.

Quick FAQ

Q: What is the difference between determinate and indeterminate tomatoes?

A: Determinate tomatoes grow to a set height, fruit all at once, and then decline. They are great for canning or small spaces. Indeterminate tomatoes keep growing and producing fruit until disease or cold stops them. In Florida, many growers prefer determinate varieties because our growing window is defined by heat, not frost.

Spring is not coming. It is here. Get outside, get your hands dirty, and enjoy every bit of this beautiful season. I will be right there with you.

Until next month,
Sara Johnson
President, Wholly Water Farms, Inc.

Wholly Water Farms, Inc. • Florida

whollywaterfarms.com

Unsubscribe from these emails.