Vegetables and Herbs to Grow in Florida: When to Plant

The short version

Florida's seasons are upside down. Carrots, potatoes, beets, and turnips are winter crops here, because they can't take the summer heat.
Fall through spring is the time for most greens, cabbage, broccoli, carrots, and radishes.
Tomatoes, peppers, and squash depend on your region. Frost can kill tomatoes and peppers.
Summer calls for heat lovers like okra, southern peas, sweet potatoes, and tropical spinaches.
Easiest herbs: the University of Florida names rosemary, basil, oregano, mint, and thyme.
Short on space? Many vegetables and herbs grow well in pots.

Which part of Florida are you in?

For its vegetable planting dates, the University of Florida divides the state by two highways:

Region	Where	Frost and freezes
North	North of State Road 40	Especially vulnerable. Note your late frost dates.
Central	Between State Roads 40 and 70	Occur occasionally.
South	Below State Road 70	Occur rarely.

Find what to plant now by ZIP code

That tool is the University of Florida's Florida-Fresh site. It lists vegetables to plant now based on your location. Need to find those roads? See the Florida Department of Transportation's official state map. UF also publishes month-by-month gardening calendars for North, Central, and South Florida.

Easy starters

These are the crops University of Florida pages describe as easy, or as good for beginners.

Vegetables: radishes, Chinese cabbage, kohlrabi, beans, and peas.
Herbs: rosemary, basil, oregano, mint, thyme, sage, and turmeric.

UF warns that cauliflower and celery can be difficult.

Want fruit too? See our guide to backyard fruit by region, which includes strawberries.

39 vegetables and when to plant them

Pick a region, a month, or both. You can also type a vegetable.

Month you want to plant Find a vegetable

Vegetable	Plant in North	Plant in Central	Plant in South	Days to harvest	Spacing and family	Varieties UF suggests	Good to know
Arugula	Sept–Mar	Sept–Mar	Oct–Mar	35–60	Plants 3–4 in. apart. Rows 10 in. Seed ¼ in. deep. Cabbage family.	Speedy, Astro	Seed or transplant. Plant every 2 to 3 weeks. Hot weather makes it bitter.
Bush beans	Mar–Apr, Aug–Sept	Feb–Apr, Aug–Sept	Sept–Apr	45–60	Plants 2–4 in. apart. Rows 18 in. Seed 1–1½ in. deep. Bean family.	Snap: Bush Blue Lake, Contender, Roma II, Provider, Cherokee Wax Shell: horticultural, pinto, red kidney, black bean, navy, garbanzo	Seed, or plants started in pots. No staking needed. UF says beans and peas are among the easiest plants to grow. Use half the usual fertilizer.
Pole beans	Mar–Apr, Aug–Sept	Feb–Apr, Aug–Sept	Sept–Apr	50–70	Plants 3–5 in. apart. Rows 36 in. Seed 1–1½ in. deep. Bean family.	McCaslan, Kentucky Wonder, Blue Lake, Rattlesnake	Seed, or plants started in pots. Needs support. 'Rattlesnake' is a heat-tolerant choice. Use half the usual fertilizer.
Lima beans	Mar–Aug	Feb–Mar, Aug–Sept	Sept–Apr	60–80	Plants 3–6 in. apart. Rows 18 in. Seed 1–1½ in. deep. Bean family.	Fordhook 242, Henderson, Jackson Wonder, Dixie (Speckled) Butterpea, Early Thorogreen	Seed, or plants started in pots. Slightly more heat tolerant than bush or pole beans.
Beets	Sept–Mar	Sept–Feb	Oct–Jan	50–70	Plants 2–4 in. apart. Rows 12 in. Seed ½–1 in. deep. Beet family.	Tall Top, Early Wonder, Detroit Dark Red, Cylindra, Red Ace, Yellow Detroit, Chioggia	Seed or transplant. Very cold tolerant. Keep seeds moist, and thin early.
Broccoli	Sept–Feb	Sept–Feb	Oct–Jan	75–90 (50–70)	Plants 10–15 in. apart. Rows 24 in. Seed ¼–½ in. deep. Cabbage family.	Early Green, Early Dividend, Green Sprouting/Calabrese, Waltham, Packman, De Cicco, Broccoli Raab (Rapini)	Seed or transplant. Very cold hardy. Side shoots grow after you cut the main head.
Brussels sprouts	Sept–Nov	Sept–Feb	Oct–Jan	90–120 (70–90)	Plants 18–24 in. apart. Rows 24 in. Seed ¼–½ in. deep. Cabbage family.	Jade Cross, Long Island Improved	Seed or transplant. Needs cool weather, or the sprouts open up.
Cabbage	Sept–Feb	Sept–Feb	Sept–Jan	85–110 (70–90)	Plants 9–16 in. apart. Rows 24 in. Seed ¼–½ in. deep. Cabbage family.	Rio Verde, Flat Dutch, Round Dutch, Wakefield types, Copenhagen Market, Savoy, Red Acre	Seed or transplant. Frost tolerant. Needs plenty of water and fertilizer.
Cantaloupe	Late Mar–Apr	Jan–Mar	Dec–Mar	85–110 (70–90)	Plants 20–36 in. apart. Rows 60 in. Seed ½–1 in. deep. Squash family.	Athena, Ambrosia, Galia (green flesh)	Seed, or plants started in pots. Includes honeydews. Needs bees. Disease prone, and mulch helps reduce fruit rot and salmonella.
Carrots	Sept–Mar	Aug–Mar	Sept–Mar	70–120	Plants 1–3 in. apart. Rows 10 in. Seed ¼ in. deep. Carrot family.	Imperator, Nantes, Danvers, Chantenay	Seed, or transplant with care. Best on a raised bed. Sow shallow and keep moist.
Cauliflower	Jan–Feb, Sept–Oct*	Sept–Feb	Sept–Jan	75–90 (50–70)	Plants 12–18 in. apart. Rows 24 in. Seed ¼–½ in. deep. Cabbage family.	Snowball Strains, Snow Crown, Brocoverde	Seed or transplant. UF says it can be difficult. Plants are cold hardy, but heads are not.
Celery	Jan–Mar	Sept–Mar	Oct–Mar	75–90	Plants 6–12 in. apart. Rows 18 in. Seed on the surface. Carrot family.	Utah strains	Seed, or transplant with care. UF says it can be difficult in a home garden. Takes 3 months or longer.
Chinese cabbage	Aug–Feb	Sept–Apr	Sept–Apr	70–90 (60–70)	Plants 14–18 in. apart. Rows 14 in. Seed ¼–½ in. deep. Cabbage family.	Michihili, bok choy, Napa, baby bok choy, pak-choi, joi choi	Seed or transplant. UF says easy to grow. Includes bok choy and Napa.
Collards	Feb–Apr, Sept–Nov	Sept–Feb	Sept–Jan	70–90 (50–70)	Plants 12–24 in. apart. Rows 24 in. Seed ¼–½ in. deep. Cabbage family.	Georgia, Georgia Southern, Top Bunch, Vates	Seed or transplant. Cold and heat tolerant. Pick lower leaves, no more than a third of the plant.
Sweet corn	Mar–Apr, Aug	Jan–Apr	Oct–Mar	65–90	Plants 6–8 in. apart. Rows 28 in. Seed 1–1½ in. deep. Grass family.	Silver Queen (white), How Sweet It Is (white), Sweet Ice (white), Sweet Riser (yellow), Early Sunglow (yellow)	Seed, or plants started in pots. Needs space. Plant at least 3 rows together for pollination.
Cucumbers	Mar–Apr, Aug–Sept	Jan–Mar, Sept	Sept–Feb	40–65	Plants 6–12 in. apart. Rows 48 in. Seed ½–¾ in. deep. Squash family.	Slicers: Sweet Success, Poinsett, Ashley, Market More 76, Straight Eight, Space Master Picklers: Eureka, Boston Pickling, Suyo Long	Seed, or plants started in pots. Needs bees for pollination. Choose slicing or pickling types.
Eggplant	Mid Mar–July	Jan–Feb, Aug–Sept	Aug–Feb	90–115 (70–90)	Plants 18–40 in. apart. Rows 36 in. Seed ½–¾ in. deep. Tomato family.	Black Beauty, Dusky, Long, Ichiban, Cloud Nine (white)	Seed or transplant. Needs warm soil and weather. May need staking.
Endive and escarole	Feb–Mar, Sept	Aug–Feb	Sept–Mar	60–80	Plants 14–16 in. apart. Rows 18 in. Seed ¼ in. deep. Aster family.	Endive: Green Curled Ruffec Escarole: Batavian Broadleaf	Seed or transplant. Good in salads or cooked as greens.
Kale	Sept–Feb	Sept–Feb	Sept–Jan	50–70	Plants 8–12 in. apart. Rows 18– in. Seed ¼–½ in. deep. Cabbage family.	Vates Dwarf Blue Curled, Tuscan (lacinato), Winterbor, Redbor	Seed or transplant. Good greens from late fall through early spring in North and Central Florida.
Kohlrabi	Sept–Mar	Oct–Mar	Oct–Feb	70–80 (50–55)	Plants 3–5 in. apart. Rows 24 in. Seed ½ in. deep. Cabbage family.	Early White Vienna, Purple Vienna	Seed or transplant. UF says easy to grow. Leaves are edible too.
Lettuce	Feb–Mar	Sept–Feb	Sept–Feb	60–80	Plants 8–12 in. apart. Rows 18 in. Seed ¼ in. deep. Aster family.	Crisphead: Great Lakes Butterhead: Ermosa, Bibb, TomThumb, Buttercrunch Loose Leaf: Simpson types, Salad Bowl, Red Sails, New Red Fire, Oak Leaf, Salad Bowl, Royal Oak Romaine: Parris Island Cos, Outredgeous	Seed or transplant. Leaf types grow well in Florida. Freezes damage it, and warm weather makes it bitter.
Mustard	Sept–Apr	Sept–Feb	Sept–Jan	40–50	Plants 5–10 in. apart. Rows 12 in. Seed ¼–½ in. deep. Cabbage family.	Southern Giant Curled, Florida Broad Leaf, Tendergreen, Giant Red, Green Wave, Mizuna	Seed, or transplant with care. Good cooking green. Freezes damage it, and warm weather makes it bitter.
Okra	Late Mar–July	Feb–Aug	Jan–Mar, Aug–Oct	60–70	Plants 4–10 in. apart. Rows 36 in. Seed ½–1 in. deep. Hibiscus family.	Clemson Spineless, Emerald, Annie Oakley II, Cajun Delight	Seed, or plants started in pots. Very heat tolerant. Soak seeds 6 hours first. Nematodes are a risk.
Bulb onions	Sept–Dec	Oct	Oct	100–130	Plants 4–6 in. apart. Rows 14 in. Seed ¼–½ in. deep. Lily family.	Granex (yellow)	Seed, or plants started in pots. Plant in fall, and use short-day varieties.
Green onions and shallots	Sept–Mar	Aug–Mar	Sept–Mar	50–75 (green) 75–100 (shallots)	Plants 2 (green), 6–8 (shallots) in. apart. Rows 14 in. Seed ¼–½ in. deep. Lily family.	Evergreen Bunching, White Lisbon Bunching. Multipliers: shallots.	Seed, or plants started in pots. Plant close and thin as you need them.
Snow or English peas	Jan–Mar	Nov–Feb	Nov–Feb	60–80	Plants 2–6 in. apart. Rows 12 in. Seed 1–1½ in. deep. Bean family.	Wando, Green Arrow, Sugar Snap, Oregon Sugarpod II	Seed, or plants started in pots. Warm weather limits production. May need support.
Southern peas	Mid Mar–Aug	Feb–Aug	Sept–Apr	75–90	Plants 2–6 in. apart. Rows 12 in. Seed 1–1½ in. deep. Bean family.	California Blackeye No.5, Pinkeye Purple Hull, Texas Cream	Seed, or plants started in pots. Includes black-eyed and crowder peas. Keep soil moisture steady.
Peppers	Late Mar–Apr, July–Aug	Jan–Mar, Aug–Sept	Aug–Feb	90–100 (65–75)	Plants 9–15 in. apart. Rows 15 in. Seed ¼–½ in. deep. Tomato family.	Sweet: California Wonder, Red Knight, Big Bertha, Sweet Banana, Giant Marconi, Cubanelle Hot: Early Jalapeno, Jalapeno M; Cherry Bomb, Hungarian Hot Wax, Big Chile II, Mariachi, Numex, Ancho, Thai, Anaheim Chile, Long Cayenne, Habanero, Caribbean Red Habanero	Seed or transplant. Transplants often do better than seeds. Mulch helps.
Irish potatoes	Jan–Mar	Nov–Feb	Oct–Jan	85–110	Plants 5–10 in. apart. Rows 36–42 in. Seed pieces 3–4 in. deep. Tomato family.	Red Pontiac, Yukon Gold, Gold Rush	Seed pieces. Use certified seed pieces, not store-bought potatoes.
Sweet potatoes	Mid Mar–June	Feb–June	Dec–Sept	85–130	Plants 10–12 in. apart. Rows 36 in. Morning Glory family.	Centennial, Beauregard, Vardaman, Boniato, Porto Rico	Slips. Start with certified slips. Weevils are a serious problem, so change the planting spot.
Pumpkin	Early July	Mid July	Early Aug	80–100 (70–90)	Plants 36–60 in. apart. Rows 60 in. Seed 1½–2 in. deep. Squash family.	Big Max, Connecticut Field, Prizewinner, Jack Be Little, Jack O Lantern Tropical Pumpkins: Calabaza, Seminole, Moranga	Seed, or plants started in pots. Needs a lot of space and bees for pollination.
Radishes	Sept–Mar	Sept–Mar	Oct–Mar	20–30	Plants 1 in. apart. Rows 6 in. Seed ¼ in. deep. Cabbage family.	Cherry Belle, White Icicle, Sparkler, Champion, Daikon	Seed, or plants started in pots. UF says easy and fast-growing. Plant every two weeks.
Spinach	Oct–Nov	Sept–Mar	Oct–Feb	45–60	Plants 2–6 in. apart. Rows 12 in. Seed ½ in. deep. Beet family.	Melody 3, Bloomsdale Longstanding, Tyee, Space	Seed, or transplant with care. Grows best only in the coolest months. Tropical spinaches take summer heat.
Summer squash	Late Mar–Apr, Aug–Sept	Jan–Apr, Aug–Sept	Aug–Mar	40–50	Plants 12–24 in. apart. Rows 36 in. Seed 1–1½ in. deep. Squash family.	Summer: Early Prolific Straightneck, Summer Crookneck, Early White Scallop, Chayote Zucchini: Cocozelle, Spineless Beauty, Black Beauty, Chayote, Calabaza	Seed, or plants started in pots. Insects must pollinate it. Doesn't thrive in Florida's summer.
Winter squash	Feb–Apr, Aug–Sept	Jan–Apr, Aug–Sept	Aug–Mar	85–120	Plants 36–60 in. apart. Rows 60 in. Seed 1½–2 in. deep. Squash family.	spaghetti, Table King, Table Queen & Table Ace (Acorn), Waltham, Early Butternut (butternut)	Seed, or plants started in pots. Spreading vines. Stores well.
Swiss chard	Sept–Mar	Sept–May	Sept–Mar	45–60	Plants 6–12 in. apart. Rows 18 in. Seed ¼–½ in. deep. Beet family.	Bright Lights, Bright Yellow, Fordhook Giant, Lucullus, Red Ruby	Seed or transplant. A good green for warm weather. Pick outer leaves.
Tomatoes	Late Mar–Apr, Aug	Jan–Feb, Aug–Sept	Aug–Feb	90–110 (70–90)	Plants 18–32 in. apart. Rows 48 in. Seed ¼–½ in. deep. Tomato family.	Large Fruit: Celebrity, Heat Wave II, Better Boy, Better Bush, Beefmaster, BHN444-Southern Star, Amelia, BHN 640, Tasti-Lee™, BHN 685, BHN 602, Bella Rosa, Quincy, Volante Small Fruit: Sweet 100, Juliet, Red Grape, Sun Gold, Sugar Snack, Sweet Baby Girl Heirloom: Green Zebra, Cherokee Purple, Eva Purple Ball, Brandywine, Mortgage Lifter, Delicious	Seed or transplant. Stake and mulch. Cherry types are more heat resistant.
Turnips	Jan–Apr, Sept–Oct	Sept–Feb	Sept–Jan	40–60	Plants 2–6 in. apart. Rows 12 in. Seed ¼–½ in. deep. Cabbage family.	Roots: Purple Top White Globe Greens: Seven Top, Shogoin	Seed, or plants started in pots. Quick-growing cool-weather crop. Eat the roots and the greens.
Watermelon	Late Mar–Apr, July–Aug	Jan–Mar	Dec–Mar	80–100 (60–90)	Plants 24–48 in. apart. Rows 60 in. Seed 1½–2 in. deep. Squash family.	Large: Jubilee (aka FL Giant), Crimson Sweet, Charleston Grey 133 Small: Sugar Baby, Mickeylee	Seed, or plants started in pots. Needs lots of space and bees for pollination.

Dates, days, and notes come from the University of Florida's Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide. Days are from seed. Numbers in parentheses are days from a transplant. Row spacing can be ignored if plants are spaced correctly. Avoid planting the same family in the same spot back to back. UF says other varieties may also produce well. Tomatoes marked * resist Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus. A month picked above includes crops whose window only starts or ends partway through that month, so check the exact dates. Adjust for your local frost dates.

19 herbs to grow in Florida

University of Florida pages generally give herb advice for the whole state, so this list is not split by region. It notes cold limits where the page gives them.

Find an herb

Herb	When and how to plant	Light	Good to know
Basil	Early spring or fall. In spring, wait until frost has passed and nights stay above 55°F.	Sun, with a bit of afternoon shade	UF lists it among the easiest. Protect from frost. Many varieties drop their leaves below 40°F.
Rosemary	Buy a plant. Thrives year-round.	Full sun, at least 6 hours	UF lists it among the easiest. Hard to start from seed. Likes it dry, and may need freeze protection in colder areas.
Oregano	Grows from seed, cuttings, or division.	Full sun	UF lists it among the easiest. A hardy perennial that needs well-drained soil.
Mint	Grows from cuttings or division.	Light or part shade	UF calls it excellent for beginners. Spreads fast, so keep it in a pot.
Thyme	Seed in late fall or early spring.	Full sun	UF lists it among the easiest. Tolerates drought. Needs good drainage.
Parsley	Fall and winter.	Some afternoon shade	Grows well in containers. Soak seeds overnight before planting. Usually flowers and dies in late spring. Feeds black swallowtail caterpillars.
Cilantro	Fall and winter.	Full sun to part shade	Goes to seed fast in warm weather. Sow a few seeds every few weeks.
Culantro	Grows best in summer heat. Usually from seed.	Shade	A summer stand-in for cilantro. Seeds take about 3 weeks to sprout.
Dill	Seed, September through December. Spring also works.		'Long Island Mammoth' does best in Florida. Feeds black swallowtail caterpillars.
Fennel	Cool weather. Ready in about 3 months.	Plenty of sun	Needs plenty of water. Don't plant it near dill or cilantro.
Sage	Transplants are quickest. Seeds or cuttings from fall through spring.	Plenty of sun	UF says it's easy to grow your own. Becomes a semi-woody perennial.
Garlic	Late fall through early winter.		Plant individual cloves. Choose soft-necked types like Artichoke or Creole.
Ginger	North Florida from March. Central and South from February.	Partial shade	Takes 8 to 10 months. Too much sun browns the leaf tips. Store-bought root can work.
Turmeric	Early spring.	Partial to full shade	UF says growing it at home is easy. Dies back in freezes and returns in late spring.
Lemongrass	Perennial.	Full or part sun	Can reach 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide, so give it room.
Mexican tarragon	Small plants or shallow seed. Grows year-round in Florida.	Full sun	Takes Florida's summer heat, unlike French tarragon. A hard freeze kills it to the ground, but it usually recovers.
Cuban oregano	Perennial.	Partial shade	Frost tender, so use pots you can move in cooler areas. Needs little care.
Bay laurel	Slow-growing evergreen shrub.		Protect during hard freezes. Dry the leaves to flavor cooking, but don't eat them. Can reach 12 feet.
Stevia	Bring indoors before the first frost where it freezes.	Full sun, tolerates part shade	Thrives in zones 10 to 11. Does well in a container.

Each herb links to its University of Florida page. Blank boxes mean the page didn't say. Herbs in the Florida Garden says most herbs do well in the same sun and soil as vegetables.

More crops to try

These aren't in UF's main planting table. Each has its own UF page, and most don't give dates for all three regions.

Crop	When and where	Good to know
Hot peppers	Plant after the last spring frost. Full sun. Keeps producing in summer heat.	Plant away from patios, walkways, children, and pets. They can irritate eyes and skin.
Datil peppers	Grown statewide. Plant after the last frost, in February or March. Harvest usually runs July through November.	A Northeast Florida favorite. Prefers 60% to 70% shade. Wear gloves when you pick them.
Tomatillos and husk tomatoes	Follow the tomato dates in the table above.	Sensitive to frost. Tomatillos prefer to cross-pollinate, so grow several plants.
Leeks	Sow seeds in the fall. Ready in 3 to 4 months.	Mound soil around the stems as they grow to get the white part.
Peanuts	North and Central: March through May.	Plant raw peanuts in the shell, 4 to 6 inches apart and 2 to 4 inches deep.
Jicama	Grows throughout Florida. From seed, it needs 5 to 9 warm months.	Eat only the roots. UF says all other parts are poisonous.
Cassava (yuca)	Needs 8 to 11 frost-free months.	Toxic if not prepared correctly. See the safety section.
Boniato	South: year-round. Harvest in 120 to 180 days.	Sweet potato weevils and nematodes are serious pests. Store above 55°F, not in the refrigerator.
Asparagus	Plant 1- or 2-year-old crowns in rich soil. Wait at least 2 years to harvest.	UF says it grows best in colder climates and tends to be small and spindly in Florida.

What to grow in the summer heat

The University of Florida says many familiar crops struggle in Florida's summer, but these options can keep a garden producing:

Root crops: sweet potatoes, boniato, and cassava.
Greens: amaranth, established collards, sweet potato leaves, and Malabar, Okinawa, and longevity spinach.
Squash: calabaza, chayote, luffa, long squash, and Seminole pumpkin.
Tomatoes: cherry tomatoes, tomatillos, or heat-tolerant types like 'Heat Wave II' and 'Sun Gold'.
Beans and peas: southern peas, winged bean, long bean, and pole beans like 'Rattlesnake'.
Something different: roselle, also called Florida cranberry. It's typically planted in April or May and ready in October or November.

Seminole pumpkin planting depends on frost. In frost-free areas, UF says August through March. In North and Central Florida, usually February through April.

Source: Heat-Tolerant Vegetables and the pages linked above.

Growing in pots

Fewer weeds. Fewer of them find their way into containers.
No nematode problems, since you control the soil mix.
A longer season. Containers are easier to protect or move in cold weather.
Use a good mix that holds moisture and nutrients, but stays porous.
Herbs suit pots well, because plants are generally small and you only need a little at a time.
Water until it runs out the bottom. Pots sometimes need water daily in hot months, but a good soak every few days will probably do in cooler months.

Herbs on a windowsill

UF's favorites for window gardens include oregano, thyme, sage, and rosemary. Use well-drained potting mix and a sunny spot. Buying small plants saves time over seed. No sunny window? Indoor kits with a grow light can work.

Sources: Growing Vegetables in Containers, Watering the Vegetable Garden, and Herbs in the Florida Garden.

Getting started

Pick the spot. Choose well-drained ground near water with at least six hours of direct sun a day.
Watch the winter sun. It dips south in winter, so a fall garden may need a sunnier spot.
Turn the soil early. UF says to clear weeds, grass, and woody material at least 30 days before planting, especially on a converted lawn.
Improve the soil. Most Florida soils are low in organic matter, so add compost or similar material.
Test the soil. On sandy soil, the best pH is 5.8 to 6.3. No change is needed between 5.5 and 7.0. Don't add lime unless a soil test says you need it.
Fertilize lightly. Spread fertilizer over the plot just before planting, following the label or your soil test. Then add 2 or 3 light feedings as needed, just beyond the outer leaves. Some Florida soils already have enough phosphorus, the middle number on the bag, and extra can pollute lakes and rivers.
Water by checking. Check every day or two. Water when the top half-inch or inch of soil is dry or plants begin to wilt, then let them dry out between waterings. Vegetables can't tolerate standing water. Mulch helps conserve water.
Use the right mulch. UF recommends straw, fallen leaves, and unfinished compost, not wood mulch or fresh sawdust.
Move crops around. Don't plant the same vegetable family in the same spot again and again.
Fight nematodes. These tiny worms attack roots. In the warmest six weeks of summer, UF suggests soil solarization: cover the soil with plastic film and weigh down the edges. Cover crops like sunn hemp and rye can also suppress them.
Buy clean transplants. Skip plants with insects or leaf spots, and those already flowering. A collar around the stem protects against cutworms.
Expect pests on late-summer plantings. Crops planted in August or September are open to insects and diseases that thrive in heat.
Cover for cold. Tender crops planted in late winter or early spring may need covers. Remove covers once plants that need bees start to flower.
Check twice a week for pests, and don't spray at the first sign of damage. Most plants that produce fruits, pods, or ears can lose 10% to 20% of their leaves without losing yield.
Harvest in the cool of the morning if you can. UF says most vegetables should go in the refrigerator or be eaten within a few hours of picking.

Your county UF/IFAS Extension office can identify pests and give local advice.

Sources: Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide, Watering the Vegetable Garden, Cool-Season Vegetables, and Harvesting and Storing Vegetables.

Safety in the food garden

Cassava and jicama can be dangerous if you eat the wrong part or skip a step. Know what you planted before you cook it.

Cassava (yuca): the root's bark contains a toxin, prussic acid, that must be removed by washing, scraping, and heating. Don't eat the leaves raw. They can be boiled.
Jicama: eat only the roots. UF says all other parts are poisonous.
Hot peppers: wear gloves. Keep plants away from children and pets. They can irritate eyes and skin.
Bay laurel: dry the leaves for flavor, but don't eat them.
Animal manure: work it into the soil 90 to 120 days before harvesting any vegetables. UF's compost advice says animal manure, not pet manure.
Canning: UF says pressure canning is the only safe way to can vegetables. A boiling water bath is for jams and jellies.
Pesticides: UF says to use them only after other steps have been taken, start with the least toxic, and follow the label.

Sources: Cassava, Jicama, Hot Peppers, Datil Peppers, Bay Laurel, Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide, and Harvesting and Storing Vegetables.

Can your city or HOA stop you?

City or county: Florida law says a county, city, or other local government may not regulate vegetable gardens on residential property. In this law, a vegetable garden is a plot of ground where herbs, fruits, flowers, or vegetables are grown for people to eat.
Local rules that still count: the same law allows general rules that don't target gardens, including drought watering, fertilizer use, and invasive plant control.
HOA: a separate law says an association may not restrict parcel owners or their tenants from keeping a vegetable garden on a parcel if it can't be seen from the frontage, an adjacent parcel, an adjacent common area, or a community golf course, unless general law or a local ordinance prohibits it. A garden people can see doesn't get that protection, so read your rules first. That section is in Florida's homeowners' association law. It does not mention condominiums.
Fertilizer: UF's Central Florida calendar says some cities ban fertilizer on lawns or landscape plants in the summer rainy season, June through September. Check for an ordinance in your area.
Watering: UF says hand-watering is usually allowed during water restrictions. See Florida's watering days by city and county.

Laws checked November 6, 2026.

Where University of Florida pages differ

Cauliflower in North Florida (*): the guide prints "Jan–Feb Sept–Oct–Feb." We show January to February and September to October. Ask your Extension office about later fall dates.
Strawberry dates: the vegetable guide says October to November in North Florida and October in South Florida. The strawberry page says September 15 to October 15 in North and October 1 to December 1 in South. Both give about September 25 to October 25 in Central.

Questions people ask

What vegetables are easiest to grow in Florida?

University of Florida guides call radishes, Chinese cabbage, and kohlrabi easy to grow, and say beans and peas are among the easiest plants to grow. Planting at the right time for your region matters most.

What herbs are easiest to grow in Florida?

The University of Florida says some of the easiest are rosemary, basil, oregano, mint, and thyme. Keep mint in a pot, because it spreads quickly.

Can you grow vegetables all year in Florida?

Yes. The University of Florida says vegetables can be grown year-round in Florida if you follow the right planting dates. Many familiar crops are winter crops here.

Where do North, Central, and South Florida begin?

In its vegetable guide, the University of Florida says North is north of State Road 40, Central is between State Roads 40 and 70, and South is below State Road 70.

When do you plant tomatoes in Florida?

The University of Florida's guide lists late March through April and August in North Florida, January through February and August through September in Central Florida, and August through February in South Florida.

What can you grow in a Florida summer?

The University of Florida suggests sweet potatoes, boniato, cassava, okra, southern peas, Seminole pumpkin, and tropical spinaches. Carrots, potatoes, beets, and turnips can't take Florida's summer heat.

Can you grow vegetables in pots in Florida?

Yes. The University of Florida says container gardening is easy and avoids the nematode problems many Florida gardeners have. Containers are also easier to protect or move in cold weather.

How often should you water a vegetable garden in Florida?

The University of Florida says there's no right schedule. Check plants every day or two, and water when the top half-inch or inch of soil is dry or plants begin to wilt. Let plants dry out between waterings.

What tomato varieties grow well in Florida?

The University of Florida suggests Celebrity, Heat Wave II, Better Boy, and Tasti-Lee among large-fruited tomatoes, and Sweet 100, Juliet, and Sun Gold among small-fruited ones. It says other varieties may also produce well.

Can my city or HOA stop me from having a vegetable garden?

Florida law says a county or city may not regulate vegetable gardens on residential property, though general rules on drought watering, fertilizer, and invasive plants can still apply. A separate law says a homeowners' association may not restrict parcel owners or their tenants from keeping a vegetable garden that can't be seen from the frontage, an adjacent parcel, an adjacent common area, or a community golf course, unless general law or a local ordinance prohibits it.

How much sun does a vegetable garden need?

The University of Florida says to pick a well-drained spot close to water with at least six hours of direct sun a day.

Sources

General gardening information. Results vary by yard, variety, and weather. Your county UF/IFAS Extension office can give local advice.