Vegetable Gardening Tips For Northern Florida

Discover the differences in gardening practices throughout the regions of Florida.

Florida's climate varies according to region, with central and south Florida having a more tropical and subtropical feel than northern Florida. These changes in climate demand variations in planting times as well as other gardening practices to ensure the most successful gardens.

Time Frame

Planting times for crops varies from northern to southern Florida, although Florida's overall climate provides the best results when planting year-round gardens. In northern Florida, most crops should be planted as much as a month after suggested planting times for south and central Florida.

Considerations

Frosts and freezes happen rarely in Florida, but usually occur only in the northern regions of the state, when they do. Though many crops can be planted in northern Florida during January and February, these are the most prevalent months for frost; the most common crops planted during this time are cool-season crops.

Warning

Planting too early or too late in northern Florida often leads to plant death or loss of harvest. Planting too early could end in a killing frost to warm season crops, while planting too late allows the summertime heat of the area to wither many fruits and plants before harvest. Northern Florida farmers are advised to stick close to the planting times suggested by the University of Florida Extension, for best results, avoiding early or late plantings.

References

• University of Florida: Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide
• National Gardening Association: Region Description-Coastal and Tropical South
• University of Florida Extension: Florida Gardening Center-North Florida
• The Advertiser: Timing is Important When Planting Your Vegetable Garden
• Fall Vegetable Gardening in North Florida

Resources

• North Carolina State University: Home Vegetable Gardening