Florida gardening follows different rules than the rest of the country. Summer isn’t your best growing season — winter is. Here’s a complete guide to the best vegetables for Florida gardens, with planting dates for North, Central, and South Florida.

The Florida Gardening Paradox

New Florida gardeners make the same mistake: they try to garden like they did up north. Plant tomatoes in May, grow lettuce in summer, follow a traditional spring-to-fall growing calendar.

This doesn’t work in Florida. Here’s why:

• Summer is brutal. June through September brings extreme heat (90–95°F+), relentless humidity, daily thunderstorms, and explosive pest/disease pressure. Most vegetables struggle.
• Winter is paradise. October through March offers mild temperatures (60–80°F), lower humidity, and fewer pests. This is Florida’s prime growing season.
• The calendar is flipped. Cool-season crops that northerners grow in spring are Florida’s winter crops. Warm-season crops that northerners grow all summer get squeezed into narrow windows in Florida.

Once you internalize this flip, Florida becomes one of the best places in America to grow vegetables — potentially 12 months a year with the right crops and strategies.

Florida’s Three Growing Regions

Florida spans USDA Zones 8b (North Florida/Panhandle) through 10b (South Florida/Keys). The state is so long that gardening advice for Jacksonville is irrelevant in Miami.

North Florida (Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Panhandle — Zones 8b–9a)

• Has actual winter with occasional freezes
• Most similar to other southeastern states
• Longest cool-season window
• Spring warm-season planting similar to Zone 9 timing

Central Florida (Orlando, Tampa, Lakeland — Zones 9a–9b)

• Light freezes possible but rare
• Extended cool-season growing from October through April
• Warm-season crops possible September through May
• True “year-round” gardening zone

South Florida (Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Naples — Zones 10a–10b)

• Essentially frost-free
• Summer heat and humidity are extreme
• Cool season (November–March) is the primary growing season
• Tropical vegetables (cassava, calabaza, malanga) grow year-round
• Standard vegetables focus on the “winter” season

Best Vegetables for Florida: The Top 20

1. Tomatoes

Florida’s most popular garden vegetable, but timing is everything.

North FL: Plant Feb 15–Mar 15 (spring), Aug 1–15 (fall) Central FL: Plant Feb 1–Mar 1 (spring), Aug 15–Sep 1 (fall) South FL: Plant Oct 1–Jan 15 (winter crop)

Best varieties: Solar Fire, Florida 91, Bella Rosa, Heat Wave II, Everglades (cherry — virtually wild, incredibly productive) Key tip: In South Florida, tomatoes are a winter crop. Plant in fall, harvest through spring, pull before summer.

2. Peppers

More heat-tolerant than tomatoes and incredibly productive in Florida.

When to plant: February–April (all regions), August–September (fall crop) Best varieties: Jalapeño, Cubanelle, Banana, Datil (Northeast Florida specialty), Habanero, Scotch Bonnet Key tip: Datil peppers are a Northeast Florida icon — extremely hot, fruity flavor, grow like weeds in Florida soil. Every Florida gardener should try them.

For detailed pepper growing info, see our guide to growing peppers in hot climates.

3. Sweet Potatoes

The ultimate Florida summer crop. Sweet potatoes thrive in heat, humidity, and sandy soil — everything Florida has.

When to plant: Plant slips March–June Best varieties: Beauregard, Covington, Jewel, Georgia Jet Key tip: One of the few productive summer crops. Sandy Florida soil produces excellent sweet potatoes with minimal amendment.

4. Southern Peas (Black-eyed Peas, Cowpeas)

Another heat-loving crop perfectly suited to Florida summers.

When to plant: March–August (direct sow) Best varieties: California Blackeye, Pinkeye Purple Hull, Zipper Cream, Iron Clay Key tip: Fix nitrogen in the soil, tolerate drought, and produce heavily. Plant after last frost and harvest repeatedly.

5. Okra

Okra loves everything about Florida — the heat, humidity, sandy soil, and long growing season.

When to plant: March–July (direct sow) Best varieties: Clemson Spineless, Emerald, Star of David, Burgundy Key tip: Harvest every 2 days when production peaks. Pods get tough quickly.

6. Lettuce and Salad Greens

Florida’s winter salad garden can be spectacular.

When to plant: September–February (North/Central), October–January (South) Best varieties: Jericho (heat-tolerant for shoulder seasons), Buttercrunch, Red Sails, Arugula, Mâche Key tip: Succession plant every 2 weeks for months of fresh salads. Use shade cloth in early fall while temperatures are still warm.

7. Kale and Collards

Cool-season powerhouses that produce for months in Florida’s mild winter.

When to plant: September–November (all regions) Best varieties: Lacinato Kale, Red Russian Kale, Georgia Southern Collards Key tip: A single plant can produce harvests from November through March in Central and South Florida.

8. Beans (Bush and Pole)

Fast-growing and productive in Florida’s spring and fall.

When to plant: February–April, August–September Best varieties: Contender, Provider (bush); Kentucky Wonder, Rattlesnake (pole) Key tip: Avoid midsummer planting — bean beetles and heat stress reduce productivity. Spring and fall crops are far more successful.

9. Cucumbers

Quick producers in Florida’s warm seasons.

When to plant: February–March, September (direct sow) Best varieties: Marketmore 76, Straight Eight, Poinsett 76 (developed for Florida), Diva Key tip: Trellis for better air circulation — critical in Florida’s humid conditions.

10. Squash and Zucchini

Fast growing and heavy producing in Florida spring.

When to plant: February–March, September–October Best varieties: Yellow Crookneck, Black Beauty Zucchini, Seminole Pumpkin Key tip: The Seminole Pumpkin is Florida’s heritage squash — native, heat-tolerant, stores for months, and virtually disease-proof. Every Florida gardener should grow it.

11. Carrots

A winter crop in Florida that produces sweet, crisp roots.

When to plant: September–January (North/Central), October–December (South) Best varieties: Nantes, Danvers, Chantenay, Nelson Key tip: Florida’s sandy soil is actually ideal for straight, well-formed carrots. Add compost for nutrients but the drainage is built in.

12. Broccoli

An excellent Florida cool-season crop.

When to plant: September–October transplants (all regions) Best varieties: Waltham 29, De Cicco, Green Magic Key tip: After harvesting the main head, leave the plant for weeks of side shoot harvests.

13. Strawberries

Florida is the nation’s #1 winter strawberry producer for good reason.

When to plant: October–November (transplants) Best varieties: Florida Radiance, Florida Beauty, Camarosa Key tip: Plant as annuals in Florida — buy fresh transplants each fall. Harvest November through April.

14. Herbs

Many herbs thrive in Florida’s climate.

Year-round: Rosemary, lemon grass, Thai basil, oregano, chives Cool season: Cilantro, dill, parsley, regular basil (bolts in summer heat) Key tip: Sweet basil is a cool-season crop in Florida (October–April). For summer basil, grow African Blue Basil — it doesn’t bolt.

15. Eggplant

Loves Florida heat almost as much as peppers.

When to plant: February–March, August–September Best varieties: Black Beauty, Ichiban, Orient Express, Florida Market Key tip: Florida Market eggplant was developed specifically for Florida conditions.

16. Radishes

The quickest cool-season crop — harvest in 25 days.

When to plant: October–February Best varieties: Cherry Belle, French Breakfast, Daikon Key tip: Perfect for succession planting between slower crops.

17. Spinach and Swiss Chard

Spinach: October–January only (bolts quickly in warmth) Swiss Chard: September–March (more heat-tolerant than spinach) Best varieties: Bloomsdale (spinach), Bright Lights (chard) Key tip: If you want “spinach” year-round, grow Malabar Spinach in summer — it’s a different plant but serves the same culinary purpose and thrives in Florida heat.

18. Onions and Garlic

Onions: Plant short-day varieties October–December. Harvest April–May. Garlic: Plant November–December. Harvest April–May. Best varieties: Texas 1015, Granex (Vidalia-type), Red Burgundy (onions); Softneck varieties (garlic) Key tip: Florida must grow short-day onion varieties. Long-day varieties will not form bulbs.

19. Watermelon and Cantaloupe

Florida grows excellent melons with its long warm season.

When to plant: February–March (North/Central), December–February (South) Best varieties: Jubilee, Sugar Baby, Crimson Sweet (watermelon); Ambrosia, Athena (cantaloupe) Key tip: Black plastic mulch warms soil, suppresses weeds, and prevents fruit rot from soil contact.

20. Cassava (Yuca)

A Florida-specific crop that most northern gardeners don’t know. The starchy root vegetable grows year-round in Zone 10 and is a staple in South Florida’s diverse cuisine.

When to plant: Year-round in South Florida, March–April in Central/North Key tip: Stick 8-inch cuttings in the ground, wait 8–12 months, dig up roots. Almost zero maintenance.

Florida Year-Round Planting Calendar

Month	North FL	Central FL	South FL
Jan	Start tomato seeds, plant peas, lettuce	Lettuce, carrots, transplant tomatoes	Tomatoes, peppers, beans, cool-season crops
Feb	Transplant tomatoes, peppers, plant beans	Tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash	Warm + cool-season overlap
Mar	Warm-season planting in full swing	Sweet potatoes, okra, all warm crops	Last cool-season plantings
Apr	Everything goes in	Summer crops established	Transition to heat-tolerant only
May	Late warm-season plantings	Harvest spring crops	Sweet potatoes, southern peas, okra
Jun	Harvest, manage heat	Summer survival mode	Heat-tolerant crops only
Jul	Summer survival, plan fall	Summer survival, plan fall	Minimal planting
Aug	Start fall transplants	Start fall transplants	Start fall transplants
Sep	Plant fall crops	Plant fall crops, cool-season starts	Plant fall crops
Oct	Cool-season planting	Cool-season planting, strawberries	Cool-season planting begins
Nov	Full cool-season, plant garlic	Full cool-season garden	Prime planting season
Dec	Cool-season harvest, enjoy	Cool-season harvest	Plant everything: tomatoes through greens

Florida-Specific Growing Challenges

Sandy Soil

Most of Florida has sandy soil that drains quickly and holds almost no nutrients. Solutions:

• Add organic matter constantly — compost, aged manure, leaf mold
• Mulch heavily — retains moisture and adds organic matter as it decomposes
• Fertilize more frequently — nutrients leach through sand with every rain
• Consider raised beds filled with a richer soil mix

Nematodes

Root-knot nematodes are Florida’s worst soil pest. These microscopic worms attack roots of tomatoes, peppers, and many other vegetables.

Solutions:

• Solarize soil in summer: cover with clear plastic for 6–8 weeks. Florida’s sun sterilizes the top several inches.
• Plant resistant varieties: Look for “N” in disease resistance codes (VFN)
• Grow nematode-resistant crops: Southern peas, sweet potatoes, and brassicas resist nematode damage
• Add compost: Healthy soil biology competes with nematodes

Humidity and Disease

Florida’s humidity breeds fungal and bacterial diseases. Management:

• Water at the base of plants, never overhead
• Space plants for maximum airflow
• Mulch to prevent soil splash (spreads disease to lower leaves)
• Remove diseased material promptly
• Copper fungicide as a preventive on susceptible crops

Summer Pest Pressure

Whiteflies, aphids, spider mites, caterpillars, and stink bugs are year-round residents.

• Row covers on cool-season crops prevent most insect damage
• Bt spray for caterpillars
• Neem oil for sucking insects
• Encourage beneficial insects — plant native flowers near your garden

The Florida Gardener’s Mindset

Stop thinking of gardening as a spring-to-fall activity. In Florida:

• Winter is your main season. October through March is when you grow tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, broccoli, carrots, and most of the vegetables you love.
• Summer is for specialists. Sweet potatoes, okra, southern peas, and Seminole pumpkins. Everything else is fighting an uphill battle.
• Fall and spring are transition periods. These shoulder seasons let you overlap cool and warm-season crops for maximum production.

Embrace this calendar and you’ll grow more food in Florida than most gardeners anywhere in the country.

For a comprehensive Florida vegetable gardening guide with month-by-month detail, the Harvest Home Guides series will include a Southeast volume covering Florida’s unique growing conditions. Join our mailing list to be notified when it’s available.