Vegetable gardening in Florida has unique challenges, but beginners can do well by learning what experienced gardeners have figured out. Gardening differences aren’t just between Florida and other states. Strategies for successful vegetable gardening differ between Northern, Central, and Southern Florida. Vegetable gardeners and professional landscapers in the greater Tampa area get their supplies at Cypress Creek Landscape Supply. You can get soil and all of your gardening needs there, including vegetable seeds. Read on for helpful vegetable gardening tips for beginners in Central Florida.
For Tampa, as well as throughout Central Florida, the following are some helpful insights for vegetable gardeners:
Choose Plants that Can Stand the Summer HeatThe vegetables you plant for the summer season should be chosen according to the dictates of regional conditions. Few vegetables can withstand the heat in summer, but heat is only one of the trials of the season. It is a time when bugs and rain are both too plentiful for vegetable gardening to be a simple endeavor.
Due to special challenges of summer, many gardeners wait to begin their growing season in fall and maintain vegetable gardens until late spring. September is a good time to plant seeds or plants in your vegetable garden. A shady spot is best for your garden. Otherwise, some plants will likely become wilted. Be sure you have an appropriate irrigation system in place to help your plants survive the effects of heat and humidity.
If the temperature is above 90º F, many plants struggle to survive. Measure your soil temperature, if possible. Planting when the soil is below 85º F is perfect to encourage growth. Some of the most experienced vegetable gardeners in Florida track the soil’s condition, waiting until the ideal temperature before planting. This usually means waiting until mid-October to plant their gardens.
Of course, the content of the soil is as important as the temperature, if not more so. Till your soil two or three weeks before you begin planting your vegetable garden, and then add compost or some other type of organic fertilizer.
Start the following fall gardening plants indoors: Tomatoes, cabbage, and peppers.
Vegetables you can start outdoors include green beans, beets, peas, kale, turnips, collards, watermelon, radishes, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, herbs, and lettuce.
Unlike summertime, garden pests aren’t much of a nuisance after the weather cools down a bit. Beginning with fall gardens, you can pretty much keep your focus on your vegetables.
Spring GardensWait until March to plant frost-tender plants in your spring garden. In every season, be sure you choose the varieties of plants that are especially recommended for Florida. Sweet corn, tomatoes, watermelon, and cucumbers are among the favorite spring crops.
We pride ourselves in making Cypress Creek Landscape Supply, located at 12734 N Florida Avenue, a one-stop gardening shop for our customers. You can get all the support you need for your vegetable garden, including the basic gardening tools such as a garden hoe, hand tools, a dirt rake, D-handle shovel, and scuffle hoe.
Our helpful staff can usually answer any questions you may have, whether or not you are a beginner at vegetable gardening. Visit us or call 813-933-7944 today.
