Wholly Water Farms
From Our Farm to Your Table
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ISSUE #10 • OCTOBER 2025
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A Note from Sara
Dear friends,
October is when Florida gardening truly comes alive. The mornings are cooler, the soil temperature has dropped to the point where seeds actually want to germinate, and there is an energy in the air that feels like possibility. I spent last weekend at a u-pick farm near Plant City with my family, and watching my kids pull carrots out of the ground reminded me why I got into this work in the first place.
This month marks two years since Wholly Water Farms officially opened its doors, and I am sharing an honest update about what we have learned, what has worked, and what has humbled us. I am also writing about vertical farming for small spaces because not everyone has acreage to work with, and that should never be a barrier to growing your own food.
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What We Have Been Writing About
Central Florida has a vibrant network of u-pick farms that most residents drive past without realizing they are there. From strawberry fields that open in December to citrus groves and flower farms, this guide covers our favorite spots organized by season and region. We also share tips for making the most of your visit, including what to bring and the best times to go to avoid crowds.
Read the full guide
You do not need a backyard to grow food. This article walks through building a simple vertical growing system using shelving, grow lights, and basic supplies from the hardware store. I designed this setup to fit in a closet or on a balcony, and it can produce a steady supply of microgreens, herbs, and even lettuce year-round. The total cost for materials comes in under a hundred and fifty dollars.
Read the full article
Two years in, I wanted to share an honest look at where Wholly Water Farms stands. We have tripled our production capacity, expanded our variety offerings, and built relationships with local restaurants and markets that we are genuinely proud of. But year two also brought equipment failures, a learning curve with new crop varieties, and the ongoing challenge of running a small agricultural business in Florida. This is the unvarnished version.
Read the full update
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Seasonal Growing Tip
Planting Garlic in October for a Spring Harvest
October is garlic planting month in Florida, and it is one of the most rewarding crops you can grow. Choose softneck varieties like Inchelium Red or California Early, which are better suited to our mild winters than the hardneck types popular up north. Break apart a fresh bulb, plant individual cloves pointed end up about two inches deep and six inches apart, and mulch well.
Garlic is remarkably low maintenance once planted. Water consistently but do not overdo it. The cloves will root and send up green shoots within a couple of weeks. Through winter they build their root systems, and by April or May you will be pulling full bulbs of homegrown garlic out of the ground. Few things in the garden are more satisfying than braiding your own garlic harvest.
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Florida Agriculture Spotlight
Central Florida Pumpkin Patches and Fall Festivals
October in Central Florida means pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and fall festivals that bring communities together around agriculture. Places like Long and Scott Farms in Zellwood, Hunsader Farms in Bradenton, and Southern Hill Farms in Clermont transform into destination experiences that connect families with the land. What I love about these events is that they introduce people, especially children, to where food comes from. A kid who picks a pumpkin off a vine has a fundamentally different relationship with food than one who grabs it off a shelf. These farms also provide critical supplemental income that keeps agricultural operations viable year-round. If you can, support a local farm this October. Bring your family, buy some produce, and enjoy the cooler weather.
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Quick FAQ
Q: Can I grow microgreens in an apartment?
A: Absolutely, and apartments are actually ideal for microgreens. All you need is a windowsill with decent light or a small grow light, some shallow trays, growing medium, and seeds. The entire setup fits on a countertop or a single shelf. Microgreens do not need outdoor space, deep soil, or even much vertical room. A sunny south-facing window can produce enough microgreens for daily salads and garnishes. If natural light is limited, a basic LED grow light on a timer does the job beautifully. Many of our customers started growing microgreens in apartments before they ever had a garden.
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Here is to year three. Thank you for being part of this journey with us.
With gratitude,
Sara Johnson
President, Wholly Water Farms, Inc.
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Wholly Water Farms, Inc. • Florida
whollywaterfarms.com
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