Vegetable Gardening in a hot climate is very different from gardening in the north. Using varieties that are not hardy enough for this region can quickly bring discouragement and failure. To give a Florida garden a head start to success, gardeners should choose their vegetable varieties carefully, taking advice from J.M. Stephens et. al. and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences as outlined in the “Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide” [rev. 2009]. These seed varieties have been tested and proven resilient in the Florida backyard garden.
- Pumpkin. For Jack o’ Lanterns: Jack O’ Lantern, Connecticut Field, Howden, Jackpot. For pies: Small Sugar, Cinderella. For small ornamentals: Munchkin, Sweetie Pie, Bushkin. Seed by July 4 to be ready for Halloween. Pumpkin plants can be plagued with fungal and viral diseases as well as fruit set problems. They do better as a spring crop, but do not store well until Halloween.
- Radish. Cherry Belle, Sparkler, White Icicle, Champion, Daikon.
- Spinach. Melody, Bloomsdale Longstanding, Tyee, Space. Spinach can only be grown during the coolest months. Alternatives to true spinach are New Zealand spinach and Malabar Spinach, which can be grown during the warm months.
- Squash. Summer Squash: Early Prolific Straightneck, Summer Crookneck, Early White Scallop. Winter Squash: Spaghetti, Table King, Table Queen and Table Ace (acorn), Waltham, Early Butternut. Zucchini. Cocozelle, Black Beauty, Spineless Beauty. Calabaza. Hand pollination can be performed on Florida squash varieties if bees are not present.
- Strawberry. Camarosa, Sweet Charlie, Festival. Camarosa has been shown the most productive in North Florida, while the Festival outperforms in Central Florida. Freeze protection is required for temperatures below 32 degrees F.
- Swiss Chard. Fordhook Giant, Lucullus, Rhubarb (red). This heat-tolerant green grows well in Florida nearly year-round.
- Tomatoes. Large staking: Better Boy, Bonnie Best (not South FL). Large bush: Walter, Suncoast, Floramerica, Flora-dade. Small Fruit: Sweet 100, Juliet, Red Grape, Sugar Snack, Sun Gold, Sweet Baby Girl. Heirloom: Green Zebra, Eva Purple Ball, Cherokee Purple, Brandywine. A number of additional varieties also grow well in Florida. Blossom drop, blossom end rot, wilts and insects can be a problem, although many varieties listed are wilt-resistant. Two large-fruit varieties that are resistant to Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus are Amelia and BHN444-Southern Star.
- Turnips. Roots: Purple Top White Globe, Roots and Greens: Purple Top, Greens: Seven Top, Shogoin.
- Watermelon. Large: Jubilee (Florida Giant), Crimson Sweet, Charleston Grey 133. Small: Sugar Baby, Mickeylee. Interplant seedless varieties with seeded to ensure fruit.
More Florida-friendly vegetable and fruit varieties are outlined in previous articles, including recommendations for cucumbers and broccoli as well as peppers and lettuce. Gardeners can also read an overview of gardening in Florida and some tips and tricks for making a garden successful by using proper planning and cultural techniques that can help overcome some of the common obstacles to gardening in tropical and subtropical climates.
Christy Swift - Christy Swift is a stay-at-home mom of two girls and a freelance writer. She has volunteered as a doula for young and underprivileged ...
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