How to Grow Winter Fruits & Vegetables in Florida

The state of Florida has a perfect climate for growing vegetables and fruit throughout the year, even in the winter time. While the climate varies from the north to the south and from the inland to the coast, the moderate, tropical temperatures with plenty of sun and rain allow most plants to thrive. Starting a winter vegetable or fruit garden is not difficult, but it will require some preparation and planning so you know what to plant and when to do it.

Things You'll Need

• Rototiller
• Shovel
• Soil test kit
• Lime
• Acidic organic matter
• Vegetable seeds
• Plastic tarps
• Fruit plants and seeds
• Smudge pots

Instructions

1. Locate a suitable plot of land for your winter vegetable garden by choosing a sunny site that gets at least six hours of sunlight a day and has well-drained soil. Sketch out a plan of the garden so you will know where you will put each type of vegetable.

2. Till the soil in your garden plot with a rototiller or shovel to break up clumps of soil. Add an organic compost that contains nitrogen. Check the soil pH with a test kit you can buy from a gardening supply store and make sure the pH is in the optimum range of 5.8 to 6.3. Add lime to the soil if it is less than a pH of 5.5 by mixing it in with a tiller or shovel. Add acidic organic matter if the soil is too alkaline, above 7.0.

3. Plant winter vegetable seeds such as beets between September and March, broccoli between September and February, cabbage between September and January or carrots between October and January. Water newly planted seeds so that the water soaks into the soil at least 2 inches deep. Keep the soil moist by watering as needed, but protect seeds and seedlings from too much water from winter storms by covering the plot with plastic tarps.

4. Determine which types of fruits will grow in your particular climate; mangoes, papaya, passion fruit, coconut and bananas grow well in the tropical climate of south Florida, while most other fruits such as berries, grapes, melons and fruit trees like orange, lemon, pears, peaches and persimmons will grow in all areas of Florida. Choose the types of fruit you want and buy fruit trees, berry shrubs, grape vines or melon seeds.

5. Draw a plan of your fruit garden, so that the area receives a minimum of six or more hours of sunlight a day and prepare the soil with amendments if testing shows the soil to be deficient in nutrients. Plant fruit trees together so they can cross-fertilize if necessary; dig a hole at least twice as big as the root ball of the tree, place the tree in the hole and fill with soil, tamping down the surface to eliminate air spaces. Plant berry shrubs or grape vines in a garden with trellises or fences for them to climb on; dig a hole slightly larger than the container and place the shrub or vine in the hole, scoop in soil and press down around the base. Plant fruit seeds directly in the ground according to the directions on the packet. Water the plants until the soil has soaked in a few inches.

Tips & Warnings

• Protect sensitive fruit trees and berries against any winter frost by covering them with plastic tarps, or by using smudge pots to prevent freezing.

References

• Florida Plants: Growing Fruit in Florida
• Florida Gardener: Grow a Cool Season Florida Vegetable Garden
• University of Florida Extension: Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide