by Amanda Rose Newton
One of the most common questions we get asked around here is when is the best time to plant ____?
For those not native to Florida (or just new to gardening generally), the response is always a surprise. The short answer: ALMOST ANY TIME, with reservation. As a rule, just about every month is as good as any to plant, except for December, January, and February depending on how low our temperatures dip and for how long.
The main goal with starting new plants is not to shock their delicate systems, so the more consistent the environmental conditions are, the more likely your plants will be to achieve their desired status quo.
Once March hits for us here in Zone 9b, the temperatures even out, we are less likely to suffer any major chills, and the sweltering heat is not preventing us from enjoying the outdoors.
So for many, right now is the ideal time to get out there and plant! With a broad declaration like that, deciding WHAT to plant becomes the challenge, as nothing is really off the table.
If you are feeling overwhelmed by choice, here are our suggestions for what to plant in your garden right now.
Vegetables to grow now in Florida
Now is the time! In Florida, you can plant both warm and cool-season crops now, with several that will be ready to harvest in just a few short weeks.
Here are a few favorites that do especially well, with a few that may be less familiar to add a little flavor to your garden plot:
- Tomatoes
- Peas
- Okra
- Melon
- Squash
- Fancy Greens
- Herbs
- Bok Choy- 2 months to harvest!!
For increased success be sure to see our info sheet on vegetable gardening to ensure proper spacing and care. We recommend our Rockledge Gardens Raised Bed Soil or Fox Farms Happy Frog, Ocean Forest, or Strawberry Fields for the growing media to give your seedlings the best start.
Spring Flowers in Florida
Annuals and Perennials are at their finest during the Spring months in Florida. Soak up as much time as you can with them before the heat and humidity of summer sets in.
You have your pick of just about anything, including some northern favorites like geraniums, snapdragons, violas, and phlox.
Short on space? Check out our wonderful collection of hanging baskets, window boxes, and container gardens that showcase these beauties in a confined, controlled manner.
These living treasures also make great gifts for housewarmings, spring birthdays, and Easter. For best luck with planting, most flowers prefer at least 5 hours of sun and well-draining soil.
Spring Fruit
We are coming up on one of my favorite times of the year to be in Florida: PEACH SEASON!
If you are impatient like me and want a fruit tree you do not have to have to wait 5 years for fruit production, a peach or plum is for you!
Not only are they beautiful (those blossoms), but they produce delicious, edible fruit within a year!
Check out the blog on peaches for all the specifics on which varieties do best in Brevard. If peaches are not your thing, we carry dozens of tropical fruits to make your yard an edible oasis. From pineapple to mango to sapodilla, we have you covered!
Make this the year you try a fruit you have never heard of and benefit from the healthy vitamins and antioxidants in return. For all fruit trees, we recommend using half your soil mixed with half our planting mix with Espoma Biotone. Make sure you follow our watering recommendations and do regular monitoring for pests and fungi to become a fruit-growing guru.
Flowering Trees and Shrubs
Trumpet tree, Hong Kong Orchid, and Cassia are all so beautiful and are such an easy way to add a pop of color to your yard!
Now is a great time to plant all flowering trees and shrubs (looking at you, roses).
Looking for a smaller tree? Check out our blog post on shrubs in tree form for an eye-opening look at plants that lead a double life.
Spring in Brevard is the ideal time to get back to the garden. Whether you are a seasoned gardener or a novice, a single flower or fruit can make spring sweeter, no matter what 2021 has in store.
