What Kind of Vegetables Grow in Florida During the Winter?
Florida has a mild climate compared with much of the U.S. and that makes it an ideal place to grow winter vegetables. A wide range of vegetables are grown throughout the state in winter. During January, the coldest month in the state on average, temperatures typically stay above 50 degrees Fahrenheit in the Northern part of the state and 60 degrees Fahrenheit in the South. Winter freezes are unusual, especially in the South. Does this Spark an idea?
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January Vegetables
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The planting season for some vegetables in Florida occurs during January, the coldest month of the year. Potatoes and turnips are planted between January and March in Central and Northern Florida, although in South Florida the planting season for both plants starts in fall and ends in January. In Northern Florida, peas, cauliflower and celery grow best when planted between January and March. In the more southerly parts of the state, these same vegetables are planted earlier, although the season can extend until January.
South Florida
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In South Florida, the two vegetables that are usually only planted in the winter months are Chinese cabbage and squash. During winter, the squash harvest usually occurs between 70 and 90 days after planting, whereas in warmer months the harvest occurs between 80 and 110 days after planting. Even in winter, farmers can produce about 100 lbs. of squash for every 100 feet of planting area. The same planting area can produce 100 lbs. of Chinese cabbage.
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End of the Season
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January signals the end of the planting season for a variety of vegetables throughout all parts of Florida. Seeding begins for kale, cabbage and broccoli in September and ends in January across all parts of the state. In South Florida, lettuce has the same growing season but the people in the Northern part of the state only plant the crop during a brief period lasting from February until March. The broccoli harvest begins 75 days after seeding, whereas the cabbage harvest occurs up to 110 days after planting.
Other Vegetables
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Some vegetables have lengthy growing seasons that incorporate winter months, but the vegetables are not exclusively grown in those months. Carrots are grown for six months of the year in North Florida beginning in September and finishing in the early spring. In South Florida, lima, pole and bush beans are planted throughout the year with the exception of May, June and July. Collards and cucumbers also have long planting seasons in the South that begin in late summer and end in spring.
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