The Florida vegetable planting calendar is different than most other body politic . Most of Florida has a subtropical environment but in the northernparts , it can block . These condition make Florida a alone State Department to grow vegetables in .
The best time to plant vegetables in Florida is in the other leaping time and early fall . These time will commute count on what part of the state of matter you are in .
Best Time To Plant Vegetables In Florida
South Florida is dissimilar than due north and fundamental Florida , instead of two disjoined growing seasons it has one extended grow menstruum . Seeing icing and freeze in south Florida is not unheard of but it is very rare .
These dates are not set in stone , they are based on the average date oflastfrost and this will change from yr to twelvemonth .
The fourth dimension listed above are the ideal times to plant . however , in reality you do have a windowpane of a few weeks in which you may successfully institute and grow your veggies . Look below to assure out planting calendars for your expanse of Florida .
Get your Free Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide.
North, Central And South Florida Hardiness Zones
North Florida Experiences regular Robert Lee Frost and even freezes during the year . Central Florida can know Robert Frost in the later months of the year while south Florida rarley experiences frost .
Technically Florida hasseven works hardiness zona .
I come up simplifying the zones to be leisurely for me . North Florida is zones 8a-9a , central Florida is zone 9b-10a and South Florida is 10b-11a .
And like I said earlier , these are all just averages . We may have a cold yr and have other or late freezes . Or we may have a warm than fair year and get no frost at all . It really just look !
North Florida Vegetable Planting Calendar
North Florida has weather that is more like the rest of the united states compared to any other part of the state .
They actually have time of year , you could get some chilly weather up there during the winter time . The coldest calendar month of the twelvemonth for north Florida is January . The all-night low - temperature averages 38F during the month of January . But during the summer temperatures can sore to the low to upper XC .
Central Florida Planting Calendar
Central Florida has a sub - tropical environment . The warm month for us in central Florida on average is August . it ’s also the wettest calendar month for us as well .
The average temperature in Central Florida thoughout August is 90F.
Central Florida ’s Coldest month is also January , The average low during this time is around 53F.
However , we do randomly see freezing weather here . The record low in central Florida is about 20F.
South Florida Planting Calendar
South Florida is almost like a tropical environment . The hottest days of South Florida are during Septemeber . The average Temperature in the southern part of the state during September is 90F.
January is also the insensate month in the state . The fair temperature in January here is 55F.
Although , south Florida does still see the very rare freeze . The cold temperature ever recorded was 30F in Miami . But if you ’re in the Keys there has never been a recorded Freeze . The lowest temperature ever seen in the Keys was 40F.
Ideal Conditions For Vegetables
Most veggie love plenty of sunlight and tender temperature . If you count on most gardening sites or seed packets they tell you to embed during the quick month .
For most parts of the united states those conditions are happening during the summertime months . Our Florida summers are more like tropical condition , they are really hot and really pissed . That combo is not the best for most veggies .
So the Ideal conditoins for veggies are meet in Florida during our saltation time and our Fall time . These are warm condition but not spicy conditions .
What Vegetables Grow Best In Florida?
you may arise almost any veggie that you want in Florida . Anything From Arugula to Zucchini . The varieties that spring up well in the northerly theatrical role of the united states will not prosper in Florida .
For representative you could raise tomatoes in all parts of the united states but sure variety show will thrive in sure conditions .
A Florida Everglades Tomato is by far the light tomato I have ever spring up . I ’ve struggled with plenty of tomato ’s that I ’ve purchase from lowes or home depot , often times the variety that they offer there are not suit for Florida ’s unique Climate .
Preparing Soil For Vegetables
Vegetables have it away a grease that has good airflow while also stasying moist . It must have proficient constitutive topic and not be compact .
These are the idealistic conditions for veggies to thrive . this does not mean that veggies will not grow in less than ideal condition . Florida soilis normally sandy , and void of organic matter .
If you are planting forthwith into your Florida soil be sure to corrupt a few udder of black moo-cow compost . you may get it on Amazon ( Check price ) but that ’s a sure way to make your UPS gadget driver hate you and I ’ll bet you may get it at your local baby’s room .
And do n’t forget to mulch . Mulching is so so important . A skillful 2 - 3 inch layer of mulch will help hold back moisture while also slowly collapse down to feed the soil .
If construct a raised seam though I ’ve always had unspoilt luck if I establish my soil with this mixture :
How To Fertilize Vegetables
The way that you fertilize your vegetable will depend on what you are growing .
For representative , a collard green , which is grow for its leaves will need a dissimilar fertilizer compared to something that sets yield , like a tomato .
The three numbers that you see on most bags are the Nitrogen(N ) , Phosphorous ( P ) and Potassium ( K ) values . usually , something like a 6 - 8 - 8 or a 10 - 10 - 10 are pretty vernacular .
Each food does something different for the plant life .
Nitrogen work with the flora to produce greenish leafy growth . Phosphorous help the industrial plant bloom and set fruit . atomic number 19 is a good overall health booster .
So , Fertilizing a collard green(or any other “ cabbage - like ” plant ) with a plant food that is high in phosphoric will not lead to a large harvest time . Plants with the chief goal of green leafy growth should be fertilized with something that is nitrogen focalize . I like to practice Fish emulsion for my leafy viridity .
It smells like death but it ’s full of nitrogen and my collards love the hooey .
plant that blossom and jell yield want a more well - rounded fertiliser . you may believably blame up a good organic plant food at any box storehouse or local greenhouse close to you .
I prefer to have something with lower N and higher phosphoric and potassium because I think the helps the plant focus more on flowering and fruiting than it does leaf emergence .
Common Florida Vegetable Garden Pests
Each one of these bug is harmful to your garden . Some bug have pointy oral fissure that they use to suck your industrial plant ’s juices out . Some lie eggs on the undersides of your plant ’s leaves so that their babies can feast on your plant . A.)Armyworm B.)Hornworm C.)Aphids D.)Stinkbugs By Adityamadhav83 – Own work , CC BY - SA 3.0 , https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=26420202
There are long ton of bugs that make love the Florida climate . in fact there are WAY MORE good microbe than there are bad bugs .
The good means to deal with pests in your garden is to have a draw of multifariousness . The more plant you have the salutary off you will be . The easiest mode to add a decent , beneficial touch sensation to the garden is to get herbs with your veggies .
These herbs do good you , and attract freight of good pesterer .
Planting Vegetables In Florida
engraft vegetable in Florida follows a much different calendar than the respite of the united states .
In north and central Florida we have two separate growing seasons , while south Florida really has one , recollective , extended growing season .
Plant Vegetables in north Florida in March and then again in August .
Plant Vegetables in Central Florida in February and then again in September .
In South Florida you’re able to institute your vegetables from August through March .
Remember , these date are not set in Harlan Fisk Stone . Some years will be warmer than others while other will be colder . There are two affair these dates are based off of .
Weather that is too cold & weather that is too hot .
We want to land in between these two times to give our veg the best chance to survive .
Florida Fruit And Vegetable Gardening , Robert Bowden(Resources )
Ifas Vegetable Gardening Guide(Resources )
