• If you need help identifying a pepper, disease, or plant issue, please post in Identification.

Resources for people who grow in Central Florida

The first is the University of Florida Orange County extension
 
You can find tons of information here. You can also bring your plants in for diagnosis or have soil samples tested as well as take classes. A great resource. 
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FREE Compost, Yes free. They compost at the Orange County Landfill. Just bring your own container and shovel.
 
There address is: 
12100 Young Pine Road
Orlando, FL 32829
 
As well, we live in Florida and the compost gets so hot all of the weed seeds nematodes etc are killed. Bonus! 
 
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The best deal on Perlite and/or Vermiculite is Diamond R Fertilizer they just ask that you call ahead to make sure they have some in stock.
 
4cu ft  of Perlite is $10.00
4cu ft of Vermiculite is $15.00
 
These are my contributions to this list:
 
Monterey Mushroom Farm over in Zellwood will sell you an entire, heaping (and steaming) pickup bed full of post-production mushroom compost for $5 (not a typo, FIVE).  They will load it with a front-loader scoop and it will be messy so plan to wash your truck afterwards.  I always line the bed with a tarp and then tie another tarp over the top for the trip home.  You have to supply the truck and the labour to unload the truck once you reach your destination but the compost is horse pee gold once it is turned in to your garden plots.  I recommend going at the "end of season" (call it December) and then letting the compost build up your soil for use in a March/April plant out.
 
While you're there, pick up a grocery bag or two full of fresh-picked white button mushrooms for $8, an incredible steal, and then divvy them up amongst friends and and family.
 
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Lukas Nursery in Oviedo has a wide variety of bulk gardening materials like perlite and vermiculite for reasonably good deals.  They also have things like bulk bags of compressed peat and a good selection of hardwood mulches.
 
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Need shade fabric?  Don't want to get ripped (or disappointed) at the big box stores?  Your local True Value Hardware sells a good quality 12'x12' for a very reasonable price and they almost always have a few in stock.  Of course you could always Amazon one for less, but if you are trying to get a project done same-day, this can be a real convenience.
 
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