Is It Too Late to Start a Garden in Florida? :(
Spoiler: Probably Not.
You know that moment when you decide you want to be a gardener, but someone tells you, "Oh, you missed the planting season!" First of all, who even invited that person? Second of all, this is Florida! Where gardening doesn’t follow normal rules, just like our weather and the way we name hurricanes...
So, if you’re sitting there wondering, “Did I miss my chance to start a garden?” The answer is: nah, you’re good. Florida’s climate is basically on creative mode, and you can plant almost all year round.
Let’s break it down so you can flex your green thumb, even if you’re late to the game.
Florida Has Three Main Gardening Seasons
(Not Just Spring!)
Unlike other states where gardeners cry through the winter, Florida is the cool kid that gets three gardening seasons instead of one.
☀️ Spring (March - May)
- The prime time for warm-season vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, eggplants, and squash.
- This is when fruit trees LOVE being planted. Mango, avocado, citrus, and guava will thrive if planted in early spring.
- Basically, spring is your MVP season. If you can plant now, do it.
🔥 Summer (June - August)
- It’s hot. Too hot. But some plants thrive in this madness, like sweet potatoes, okra, and tropical fruit trees (bananas, papaya, passionfruit).
- You’ll need to water often, because Florida summer is like living in a sauna inside an oven on the sun.
- If it’s too hot for you outside, try container gardening so you can move plants to shadier spots when necessary.
🍂 Fall & Winter (September - February)
- Cool-season crops like lettuce, kale, carrots, beets, and broccoli do amazing in Florida’s mild winters.
- Fall is also the best time to plant citrus trees, so your future self can enjoy homegrown oranges while wearing flip-flops in December.
- If you missed spring, this is your redemption arc—plant now and pretend it was the plan all along.
When Is It ACTUALLY Too Late?
Alright, technically, there are a few things you shouldn’t plant at the wrong time:
- Don’t try to grow lettuce in July unless you enjoy disappointment.
- Tomatoes? They’ll struggle in Florida’s summer heat. It’s best to plant them in early spring or fall.
- Avocado trees? Don’t plant them right before hurricane season unless you want to watch them turn into a flying projectile.
But other than that? You’re good. If you missed spring, try raised beds, hydroponics, or even indoor gardening.
How to Save a Late Start (Or Cheat the System Like a Pro)
Missed your ideal planting window? No worries. Here are some pro tips to extend your gardening season:
- Use Starter Plants – Instead of growing from seeds, buy young plants from your local nursery (cough our plant nursery cough). This gives you a head start.
- Go for Fast-Growing Crops – Radishes, lettuce, and green onions grow ridiculously fast. If you plant now, you’ll still get a harvest before Florida decides to switch seasons overnight.
- Try Container Gardening – You can move plants around to protect them from the death-ray sun in summer or cold snaps in winter.
- Invest in Raised Beds – Raised beds warm up faster in the cooler months, so you can plant earlier in the season.
- Mulch Like Your Garden Depends on It (Because It Does) – Florida’s heat will evaporate moisture faster than your paycheck disappears at a plant nursery. Use mulch to keep the soil cool and happy.
Final Verdict: Just Start Planting Already.
If you’re waiting for the "perfect time" to start a garden in Florida, here’s the truth: there is no perfect time, just start. Whether it’s spring, summer, or some weird in-between weather that Florida invented, there’s always something you can grow.
And if you don’t know where to start? Come by our nursery, and we’ll hook you up with plants, soil, and some unsolicited gardening advice. 🌱✨
📥 Want a full Florida Planting Calendar? Let us know on the comments if you want a seasonal planting guide and never wonder when to plant again.
📍 Visit Our Nursery: If you need plants, soil, or just want to talk about gardening, we’re here to help! Stop by and let’s get your garden started.
🔔 Follow Us on Instagram (@everglades.farm) for daily gardening tips, Florida plant inspo, and occasional plant memes.
