Tomatoes, peppers and eggplants are all warm weather vegetables from the Solanaceae family

They feature prominently in many of our favorite Mediterranean cuisines—from Italian, Spanish and Portuguese to Middle Eastern and North African. All are packed with vitamins and minerals, and they are relatively low in carbohydrates; good options for people who are trying to reduce blood sugar, lose weight or just generally maintain good health.

All three need a long, warm growing season but can suffer with extreme heat, disease and insects in late summer

To help them get a head start and bear fruit before it gets too hot, you can start seeds indoors during January, and then transplant them outside once the threat of frost is past (March 15 for most of us), the soil has warmed up, and the days are reliably in the 70s. If you are not able to start your vegetables from seeds you can purchase transplants at most garden centers.

You can plant them in the ground, raised beds or even large (at least 5 gallon) containers. Dwarf varieties can make surprisingly attractive ornamentals, in addition to providing us with healthy food.

Keys to successful production include:

• Site selection: At least 6-8 hours of sun each day, and slightly acidic, well-drained soil.
• Cultivar selection: Choose a variety suited for our climate and bred for disease resistance.
• Healthy transplants: Dark green, robust, spot and insect free, 5-6 weeks old and 5-7 inches tall.
• Good cultural practices: Plant at appropriate depth, mulch, stake/cage, water consistently but not too
much, and fertilize as needed for your soil, based on a soil nutrient analysis.
• Scout: Observe upper and lower leaf surfaces, stem and fruits for diseases and pests regularly.
• Crop rotation: Avoid planting vegetables from the same family in the same place each season.
• Check for ripening fruits frequently, and harvest often to encourage more fruit production. Then enjoy
trying out new recipes with your homegrown veggies!

Additional Reading:

Tomato Disease in Florida Vegetable Gardens: https://journals.flvc.org/edis/article/view/113389/108565
Peppers: (https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/peppers.html)

Article written by Beth Marlowe, Urban Garden Program Assistant April 2024

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