How To Grow

When to plant vegetables in Florida

In much of Florida the main vegetable season runs through fall and winter, not summer. Here's when to plant in each part of the state.

Reviewed October 2026

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Vegetables can be grown year-round in Florida if you match each crop to the right season. UF/IFAS splits the state into three regions:

  • North Florida: north of State Road 40
  • Central Florida: between State Road 40 and State Road 70
  • South Florida: south of State Road 70

Frost decides more in the north. North Florida is the most exposed to late frosts, frosts happen occasionally in Central Florida, and rarely in South Florida.

Planting dates by region

Crop North Central South
Tomatoes Late Mar–Apr; Aug Jan–Feb; Aug–Sept Aug–Feb
Peppers Late Mar–Apr; July–Aug Jan–Mar; Aug–Sept Aug–Feb
Lettuce Feb–Mar Sept–Feb Sept–Feb
Cucumbers Mar–Apr; Aug–Sept Jan–Mar; Sept Sept–Feb
Summer squash Late Mar–Apr; Aug–Sept Jan–Apr; Aug–Sept Aug–Mar
Bush beans Mar–Apr; Aug–Sept Feb–Apr; Aug–Sept Sept–Apr
Carrots Sept–Mar Aug–Mar Sept–Mar
Broccoli Aug–Feb Sept–Feb Oct–Jan
Kale Aug–Feb Sept–Feb Sept–Jan
Spinach Sept–Mar Sept–Mar Oct–Feb
Onions (bulbing) Mid-Sept–mid-Nov Oct Oct
Garlic Late fall–early winter Late fall–early winter Late fall–early winter

Planting this fall? Late October and November are prime time across most of Florida for broccoli, kale, spinach, lettuce, carrots and onions, with garlic following into early winter.

These dates are for planting outdoors. Start transplants indoors ahead of them, using the lead times in our seed-starting guide.

Working with Florida's seasons

  • Warm-season crops such as tomatoes and peppers are damaged by frost and don't thrive in cool soil, so time them around your region's risk of cold.
  • Cool-season crops such as lettuce and carrots fit the fall-to-spring window. Heat makes lettuce bitter.
  • Late-summer plantings in August and September face more insects and diseases that thrive in the heat. Shade cloth or row covers can reduce heat and cold stress.
  • Cucumbers, squash and pumpkins need bees for pollination, so avoid spraying insecticides on open flowers.

Sources