Fall Vegetables for North Florida

Finding the right crops – and the right varieties – for fall planting in North Florida can be tricky. Many of the vegetables we grow are adapted to climates a little colder than we usually get in the panhandle. Luckily, with the right timing and choosing varieties that are better adapted to our climate, gardeners can enjoy a cool weather garden with a little planning.

Summer is often much too hot and humid for all but the most hearty plants, and the season can easily extend past what feels like its welcome. The weather often does not begin to truly cool until October in the fall, which may not leave much time for a garden to grow before the danger of frost.

Carrot. — Garden-grown carrots enjoy cool weather and have abundant flavor.

There are ways to push the edges of the growing season, however.

Start transplants indoors early.

Many vegetable crops can be started in a container, then transplanted outdoors when they’ve grown up a bit. Some crops don’t do well when transplanted; most root vegetables, cucurbits such as cucumbers and squash, and peas tend to dislike the disruption that comes with moving them from place to place.

Use methods such as row cover fabric or low tunnels to extend the growing season.

Giving plants a little cover in the form of row cover (a lightweight, porous spun fabric that allows light and water through) or a low tunnel (row cover or plastic propped up with short hoops) can protect them from the cold.

Choose vegetables that can withstand the cold.

Crops like basil, sweet potatoes, and okra love the heat, and can’t take a frost. Focus on crops like cabbage, radishes, turnips, broccoli, kale, lettuce, peas, and carrots. Some of these will shrug off a light frost and keep on growing!

Pay attention to the weather.

Be ready to adjust your planting schedule if the weather changes oddly, as it often does. Prepare well ahead of time for a garden and watch that weather report.