Gardening in New Smyrna Beach, FL

The key to a successful garden lies in choosing a location with abundant sunlight throughout the entire day. At Sun Splash Nursery, we encourage our gardening enthusiasts to have their soil tested by the Volusia County Ag Center to determine its pH and nutrient content. A pH level of 6.2 is ideal for optimal results. 

Once the soil testing is complete, it’s important to till and amend the garden soil at least one month before planting. Amending the soil with composted material, such as grass clippings, leaves, manures, and old produce, provides essential nutrients. If needed, we provide guidance on the use of organic fertilizers for soil amendment. 

After the soil preparation, allowing it to sit for a month ensures microbial activity breaks down organic material, converting it into usable food for your plants. When the weather forecast no longer predicts freezing temperatures, it’s time to commence planting. We advise starting seeds in trays or pots either indoors (for freeze protection) or outdoors or planting directly into the soil. 

Selecting the appropriate crops for the specific time of year is paramount for successful gardening in New Smyrna Beach, FL. Sun Splash Nursery recommends the use of Heirloom seeds for an “old-fashioned” taste while acknowledging that new hybrid seeds may also be suitable. Once planted, the key to success lies in effective weed management and providing the correct amount of water to avoid overwatering. 

Insect infestations typically become prevalent in April. Sun Splash Nursery offers guidance on battling these pests using a homemade mixture comprising Wesson Oil and liquid dish soap. To address larger insects like caterpillars, we recommend the use of Dipel (Thuricide), a biological control method safe for human consumption. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of amending the soil with fertilizer midway through the growing cycle and staking and pruning plants as needed.