Florida Backyard Vegetable Garde

Spring/Summer Garden Schedule:

I just love this time of year. Picking out all the new types of veggies to plant and imagining when I’ll be out there reaping the harvests! As I’ve said before, if you start your own seeds you get to start gardening & get your veggies a couple months sooner!

For those of us here in zone 9 this is what we should be doing: For a complete schedule see Florida Yearly Planting Schedules.

Our planting goal date is approximately March 10-30. (Depending on the last frost-keep an eye on the forecasts.)

Jan. 1^st - Feb. 1^st   Clean out all old crops. The longer they are there the more diseases and pests will breed which will then infect your new crops. If you are starting from seed for all or some of your crops, if you don’t already have them, GET THEM.

1 to 2 months (now) before planting date incorporate organic matter into your soil a good few inches down. example… cured cow or horse manure, compost, leaf mold etc.

Draw up your garden plan. Decide where you are going to put which crop. Taller plants should go on the north side so they don’t block the sun from lower crops. Use the companion planting chart to help with placement. It is very beneficial in keeping pests under control and putting back nutrients for one that the other is taking and visa versa.

Start your seeds! Here are the dates for the most popular crops. For those not listed see the seed starting chart.

Tomatoes Jan. 1^st -31^st The sooner you start them the sooner you get tomatoes, just transplant a few times to larger pots and shelter from frost.   Cherry and grape tomatoes are smaller than Cherokee Purple or Beefstake varieties so they will be ready sooner.

Peppers Jan. 15^th – Feb. 1^st Peppers grow slower and love the heat so they can wait a little longer.

Celery Jan. 1^st – March 1^st Plants can be planted outside even if light frost.

Collard Greens Jan. 1^st –March 15^th

Cucumbers Feb. 1^st – March 15^th   Can direct seed a couple weeks after last frost through April.

Beans Feb. 1^st –March 15^th Can direct seed a couple weeks after last frost through April.

Watermelon, Melon Feb. 1^st –March 1^st Can direct seed after last frost through April.

Corn Direct seed after last frost through April.

Eggplant Jan. 1^st –Feb. 1^st Likes warmer weather. Can plant until July.

Summer Squash Jan. 1^st –Feb. 1^st

Winter Squash Feb. 1^st –March 1^st Can plant until August.

Lettuce Jan 1^st –Feb.1^st Indoors Can be direct seeded outside through March under cloches, it can take light frosts.

Useful charts: Seed Starting Chart     Germination Guide

                     Companion Planting      Zone 9 Planting Schedules

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Comments or Questions Email: desiree@growincrazyacres.com

All Photos are taken by us of our actual gardens etc. unless stated otherwise.