Central Florida has two growing seasons, not one. Most gardeners here can grow food and flowers for almost all twelve months. (source<\/a>)<\/p>\n The trick is knowing what to plant and when. Plant the right crop in the wrong month, and the heat, rain, or a surprise cold snap will end it fast.<\/p>\n Most of Central Florida<\/a> sits in USDA zones 9b and 10a. The last frost usually comes between mid-February and early March, and the first frost often shows up in December.<\/p>\n The soil here is mostly sand. It warms up quickly and drains fast, which is great for roots but hard on water and nutrients.<\/p>\n I have made plenty of timing mistakes over the years. I lost tomatoes to a late frost and lettuce to an early heat wave.<\/p>\n This month-by-month guide is built from those lessons, so you can skip a few of them. Use it as a simple calendar you can come back to all year. (Source<\/a>)<\/p>\n Plant cool-season greens, roots, and strawberries from October to February, and warm-season crops like tomatoes, peppers, and okra from March to April. Summer is for heat lovers like sweet potatoes and southern peas, and the fall garden starts again in August.<\/em><\/p>\n Protect plants from late frost and storms, and mix compost into your sandy soil. Timing is the real secret to a good harvest.<\/em><\/p>\n January is cool, dry, and a great month for cool-season crops. Frost can still hit, so keep an old bedsheet nearby.<\/p>\n Here is what to focus on this month:<\/p>\n Sow seeds a little thicker than you think you need. You can thin them later and eat the baby greens.<\/p>\n A sunny window works fine for indoor seeds. If your light is weak, a cheap grow light will keep seedlings from getting tall and leggy.<\/p>\n February is a busy month and a tricky one. The days warm up fast, but one last cold night can still show up.<\/p>\n Watch the forecast closely. If frost is coming, cover tender plants in the evening and remove the cover in the morning.<\/p>\n Use cloth, not plastic. Plastic touching the leaves can transfer cold and damage the plant.<\/p>\n Plant tomato<\/strong> transplants this month, but be ready to protect them. Peppers, eggplant, and cucumbers<\/strong> can also go in near the end of the month.<\/p>\n Bush beans, summer squash, and watermelon<\/strong> are good options too. Keep seeds and young plants moist so they get off to a strong start.<\/p>\n You can still plant carrots, lettuce, and leafy greens<\/strong> early in the month. They will fade once the heat arrives.<\/p>\n Citrus trees<\/strong> can be planted now. Choose a spot with full sun and well-drained soil.<\/p>\n Dig the hole twice as wide as the root ball, but no deeper. Planting too deep is one of the most common citrus mistakes.<\/p>\n Also Read: How to Protect Tomato Plant from Frost<\/a>?<\/p>\n March is one of the best planting months in Central Florida. The soil is warm, the frost risk is low, and plants grow fast.<\/p>\n Here are the best things to plant right now:<\/p>\n Soak okra seeds overnight to speed up sprouting. Pinch basil tips often to keep the plant bushy.<\/p>\n Pollinators matter in a vegetable garden. More bees mean better yields on squash, cucumbers, and beans.<\/p>\n This is also a good month to start a lawn from sod. Warm-season grasses like St. Augustine<\/strong> and Bermuda<\/strong> grow best from spring through summer.<\/p>\n Add compost to your beds before planting. Florida sand drains quickly, so it needs extra organic matter.<\/p>\n April is warm and often dry. Watering becomes a daily job for new plants.<\/p>\n Plant okra, southern peas, sweet potatoes, and peanuts<\/strong>. These crops handle heat well and keep going into summer.<\/p>\n You can still plant tomatoes<\/strong> early in the month, but they may struggle once nights stay hot. Plant fast-growing varieties for better luck.<\/p>\n Cherry tomatoes<\/strong> handle heat better than large slicers. They keep setting fruit when bigger types give up.<\/p>\n Add mulch around your plants. A two to three inch layer keeps moisture in and weeds down.<\/p>\n Pine straw, wood chips, and shredded leaves all work well. Keep mulch a few inches away from stems to prevent rot.<\/p>\n Herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano, and basil<\/strong> do great now. Mint<\/strong> grows well too, but keep it in a pot or it will take over.<\/p>\n Plant tropical flowers such as lantana, hibiscus, and pentas<\/strong>. They love the heat and bloom for months.<\/p>\n May is hot and dry, right before the rainy season starts. Plants need steady water, and shade becomes helpful.<\/p>\n Plant heat lovers only. Good choices include okra, southern peas, sweet potatoes, Malabar spinach, and roselle<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Skip tomatoes, lettuce, and other cool-season crops<\/strong>. They will bolt or stop producing in this heat.<\/p>\n A piece of shade cloth can save struggling plants. Even 30 percent shade helps on the hottest afternoons.<\/p>\n Watering early in the morning is best. It reduces evaporation and lowers the risk of fungal problems.<\/p>\n Water at the base of the plant, not over the leaves. Wet leaves in hot weather invite disease.<\/p>\n For flowers, plant zinnias, torenia, vinca, and purslane<\/strong>. They handle heat and need little care.<\/p>\n This is also a good time to set up rain barrels. Summer storms will fill them quickly.<\/p>\n Check this: How to Use Epsom Salt for Tomato Plant?<\/a><\/p>\n June brings the rainy season and hurricane season. Both start around the first of the month.<\/p>\n Here are the key things to keep in mind:<\/p>\n Humidity and rain can cause fungus and rot. Good spacing and mulch go a long way.<\/p>\n Know what you will bring inside if a hurricane watch is issued. Loose pots can become flying objects.<\/p>\n July is hot, wet, and tough on most plants. Focus on crops that actually enjoy these conditions.<\/p>\n Plant okra, southern peas, sweet potatoes, and roselle<\/strong>. Pigeon peas<\/strong> and cassava<\/strong> are also good choices.<\/p>\n Start fall tomato<\/strong> and pepper<\/strong> seeds indoors near the end of the month. Seedlings will be ready to move outside in August.<\/p>\n Keep the seed trays in a bright, cool spot. Indoor air conditioning actually helps, since heat makes seedlings weak.<\/p>\n Pick vegetables often. Okra<\/strong> especially grows fast, and old pods turn tough.<\/p>\n Watch for pests like caterpillars, aphids, and whiteflies. Check leaf undersides every few days.<\/p>\n A strong spray of water knocks off many small pests. For bigger problems, try insecticidal soap in the evening.<\/p>\n Flowering shrubs<\/strong> and tropical plants<\/strong> can go in the ground now. The rain helps them establish, but avoid planting right before a big storm.<\/p>\n August is the month to think ahead. The fall growing season begins now, even though it still feels like summer.<\/p>\n Transplant tomato<\/strong> and pepper<\/strong> seedlings late this month or early in September. Give them afternoon shade for the first couple of weeks.<\/p>\n An old bedsheet or a piece of shade cloth works well. Remove it once the plants look strong and settled.<\/p>\n Plant bush beans, cucumbers, and squash<\/strong> too. They grow quickly and often produce before cooler weather arrives.<\/p>\n Cut back leggy summer plants to encourage fresh growth. Okra<\/strong> and basil<\/strong> respond well to a good trim.<\/p>\n Keep an eye on storms. Tropical systems can show up at any time, so keep supplies ready.<\/p>\n Prepare your beds by adding compost and removing spent plants. A clean start helps fall crops.<\/p>\n Pull out any diseased plants and throw them in the trash, not the compost pile. This keeps problems from carrying over.<\/p>\n Also Read: 30 Best Vegetables to Grow in Buckets<\/a><\/p>\n September is still hot, but the fall garden is now in full swing. This is one of the most exciting planting months.<\/p>\n Here is your September planting list:<\/p>\n Fall tomatoes often taste better than spring ones. The nights cool down, and the fruit sets without the stress of extreme heat.<\/p>\n Keep up with mulch and watering. Even with rain, young plants can dry out in sandy soil.<\/p>\n Push your finger two inches into the soil to check. If it feels dry, it is time to water.<\/p>\n Fertilizer rules often end on September 30. After that, you can feed lawns and gardens again, following local guidelines.<\/p>\n October is the true start of cool-season gardening. The air feels better, and so does the garden.<\/p>\n These are the best crops to get in the ground:<\/p>\n Carrots need soft, rock-free soil to grow straight. If your bed is hard, try a raised bed or a deep container.<\/p>\n Keep the crown of each strawberry plant right at soil level. Burying it can cause rot, and planting too high dries out the roots.<\/p>\n Pansies<\/strong> and violas<\/strong> are best started in November.<\/p>\n November is mild and dry, with cool nights. Plants grow steadily and pests slow down.<\/p>\n Keep planting greens, root vegetables, and brassicas<\/strong>. Peas<\/strong> and snap peas<\/strong> do well too.<\/p>\n Succession planting is a smart habit now. Sow a small batch of lettuce<\/strong> or radishes<\/strong> every two weeks for steady harvests.<\/p>\n Plant onions, leeks, and shallots<\/strong>. These cool-season crops need time to size up before spring.<\/p>\n Choose short-day onion varieties for Florida. Long-day types will not form good bulbs here.<\/p>\n Add pansies, dianthus, and calendula<\/strong> for color. They will bloom through winter.<\/p>\n This is a wonderful time to plant trees and shrubs<\/strong>. Roots settle in during the cooler months, and plants are ready for spring growth.<\/p>\n Hurricane season ends November 30. After that, the weather risk drops a lot.<\/p>\n December is calm and cool, though frost becomes possible. Keep covers handy for tender plants.<\/p>\n Plant lettuce, kale, spinach, radishes, and peas<\/strong>. Broccoli<\/strong> and cabbage<\/strong> transplants still do well early in the month.<\/p>\n Cold nights can hurt tropical plants. Cover them or move potted ones to a protected spot.<\/p>\n Water the soil before a cold night. Moist soil holds heat better than dry soil and protects roots.<\/p>\n Water less often overall, since cooler weather slows evaporation. Check the soil with your finger before you water.<\/p>\n Use this quiet time to plan. Order seeds, clean tools, and sketch what you want to grow next year.<\/p>\n Citrus<\/strong> fruit may be ripening now. Pick when it feels heavy and tastes sweet.<\/p>\n Taste one before you pick the whole tree. Color alone does not tell you if citrus is ready.<\/p>\n Also Read: How to Stop Lettuce From Bolting<\/a>?<\/p>\n Know your last and first frost dates. They shift a little each year, so watch local forecasts.<\/p>\n Build your soil first. Compost, aged manure, and mulch make a huge difference in sandy Florida ground.<\/p>\n Water deeply but not too often. Deep watering builds strong roots, while shallow watering leads to weak plants.<\/p>\n Choose varieties made for Florida. Heat tolerance and disease resistance matter more than fancy names.<\/p>\n Your local extension office is a great free resource. They offer planting calendars and can help with pest and soil questions.<\/p>\n Keep notes on what you plant and when. After a year or two, you will know your own yard better than any guide.<\/p>\nCentral Florida Planting Guide by Month<\/h2>\n
January: Plant Cool-Season Greens and Start Seeds Indoors<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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February: Get Tomatoes in the Ground, but Watch for Late Frost<\/strong><\/h3>\n
March: Peak Planting Month for Warm-Season Vegetables and Flowers<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/homesteadgardener.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/calender-683x1024.jpg\")
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April: Plant Heat-Loving Crops and Start Mulching<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/homesteadgardener.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/How-to-Grow-Okra-in-Containers.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nMay: Grow Only Heat Lovers Before the Rainy Season<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/homesteadgardener.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Is-spinach-perennial.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nJune: Rainy Season Planting and Hurricane Prep<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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July: Tough Summer Crops and Fall Seed Starting<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/homesteadgardener.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Sweet-Potatoes.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nAugust: Plan Ahead and Get the Fall Garden Started<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/homesteadgardener.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/are-eggshells-good-for-tomato-plants.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nSeptember: Fall Tomatoes, Peppers, and Citrus Planting<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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October: Cool-Season Veggies, Strawberries, and Herbs<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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November: Onions, Greens, Winter Flowers, and Tree Planting<\/strong><\/h3>\n
December: Cold Protection, Quick Greens, and Garden Planning<\/strong><\/h3>\n
A Few Simple Tips for Success<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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