October Garden Journal: Gratitude, Growth & Blooms in my Small Container Garden in Florida
- Maressa Benz
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
October in Florida feels like a little gift from Mother Nature for gardeners.
While most of the country tucks their gardens in for winter, mine (zone 10A) is just getting started again. This month was a reminder of how blessed I am to live in a climate where summer flowers like zinnias and cosmos can still thrive well into fall, adding bursts of color and life when other regions have already gone dormant.
Planting Zinnias and Cosmos in October
This month, I planted zinnia and cosmos seeds I received from a local class with Farm Gal Flowers. a small but inspiring flower farm here in Florida that celebrates seasonal blooms and community education. This class sparked a beautiful reminder that something as simple as a seed can turn into beauty that feeds bees, brightens homes, and inspires creativity.
Planting these in October felt special. I know that in most places, zinnias are summer annuals, but here in Florida’s Zone 10a, I can extend their season well into November (and even beyond if I’m lucky). I’ve learned to pinch them while they’re seedlings, check for good airflow, avoid overcrowding, and water early in the day to reduce powdery mildew (a common challenge in Florida’s humid climate.
What I’m Growing (and Loving)
Looking around my small patio container garden, I’m constantly amazed by how much life fits in just a few square feet. My containers hold a mix of herbs, greens, and blooms: Chinese cabbage, radishes, lemon balm, rosemary, Italian oregano, and more!
I reused old pots, repurposed soil with homemade fertilizer, and used free seeds from my local library’s seed exchange for many of my crops. It’s such a rewarding way to grow. Plus, it that keeps costs low and supports seed-sharing within the community.
Lessons from this month
Observation matters: At times the sun has been pretty intense for my plants so I’ve had to move them around to a shadier spot around my patio.
Pinch zinnia seedlings: Pinching them once they have a few sets of leaves is the move so it grows into a bushy flower shrub.
Consistency over perfection: Daily five-minute check-ins make such a edifference. Even just observing, watering, removing spent leaves, or noticing new buds help me stay connected and reduce overwhelm.
Sustainability in a Small Space
Even with limited space, I’m finding endless ways to grow food and flowers sustainably:
Compost and reuse: I feed my plants with compost made from kitchen scraps and use egg cartons to start seeds. It’s full of life and contributes to a circular system. ♻️
Seed sharing: Free seeds from the library and cuttings from neighbors are not just eco-friendly, they build community.
DIY fertilizer: I make a simple banana peel soak or coffee grounds for potassium and nitrogen.
Upcycled containers: take fruit packaging and turn it into new microgreen homes.
Every small act, reusing, repurposing, regenerating, feels like a quiet rebellion against the idea that you need a large plot or expensive tools to live sustainably.
Reflections on Community and Growth
Thus month reminded me that gardening is an act of connection. Sharing seeds, learning from local growers, and talking about pollinators and native flowers makes the experience richer and more human.
This month’s garden isn’t just about plants, it’s about relationships: with neighbors, with nature, and with myself. Each seed is a tiny lesson in patience, each bloom a moment of gratitude.
Urban gardening teaches you to see abundance where others see limitation.
Looking Ahead to November
Next month, I’ll focus on cool-season greens like lettuce medley and dill, and continue tending my flower seedlings as they grow stronger. With cooler mornings ahead, I’m excited to see how the zinnias and cosmos transition into full blooms.
I’ll also keep experimenting with companion planting for natural balance and the creation of mini eco- systems in my containers.
Growing flowers and food in the fall reminds me that life doesn’t always follow a fixed season. Sometimes, we bloom when no one expects it. 🌺
