Come along on a real garden harvest day! I'm picking Puerto Rican black beans before they go too dark, fighting pickleworms in my cucumbers, and pulling an abundance of Thai eggplant that just won't quit — even in Florida's brutal heat and humidity.
In this video:
Harvesting Puerto Rican black beans (and learning the timing to avoid mildew)
Dealing with pickleworm pressure in cucumbers — my simple water-soak trick to force them out
Why okra rewards you for picking it every single day
Thai eggplant that thrives on heat and humidity where other nightshades struggle
A jungle of black-eyed Susans and zinnias still buzzing with swallowtails and pollinators
A surprise soundtrack from baby hawks nesting nearby
When should you pick dried beans off the plant?
Pick dried bean pods as soon as they've fully dried and started to turn brown or black on the outside, before mildew or moisture sets in. Waiting too long in humid climates like Zone 9b risks the pods molding on the vine before you get a chance to harvest.
Do you need more than one bean plant to get seeds?
No — even a single bean plant will produce viable seed for next season. It's one of the lowest-effort ways to build up your own seed stock year over year, even if you're just experimenting with a new variety.
How often should you pick okra?
Daily, if you can manage it. Okra pods can go from tender to woody in about 24 hours in hot weather, and the more consistently you pick, the more the plant produces — it's constantly trying to set seed, so removing pods early keeps it in production mode.
What's the easiest way to check cucumbers for pickleworms?
Drop suspect cucumbers in a bowl of water. Pickleworms will often work their way out on their own. From there, just cut back from the damaged tip until you reach clean flesh — the rest of the cucumber is still good to eat.
Why are my zinnias attracting so many pollinators?
Zinnias are a magnet for swallowtails and other pollinators, especially once they're blooming heavily. If you're on the fence about deadheading or trimming back an overgrown row, leaving some blooms can be worth it just for the pollinator traffic alone.
Are Thai eggplants easy to grow in hot, humid climates?
Yes — unlike tomatoes and standard eggplant, Thai eggplant tends to shrug off the pests and stress that come with heat and humidity, making it a great fit for Zone 9b gardens. They're also easy to harvest by hand, no knife needed, once you get the timing down.
About this channel:
Michelle in the Meadow follows real gardening in Northeast Florida, Zone 9b — with a focus on Asian vegetables, heat-tolerant crops, and the honest wins and failures that come with growing food in a hot, humid climate. New videos post weekly, with a monthly livestream on the first Sunday of the month.
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