Growing edibles in Southwest Florida
Gardening is cheaper than therapy and you get tomatoes.
— Author Unknown
More than a few gardeners in Southwest Florida have tried their hand at growing edibles with varying degrees of success. Of the many variables associated with success or failure, the biggest determining factor initially is “timing,” i.e., when crops are planted. After ensuring the right plant gets planted at the right time and in the right place/conditions, proper care in the aftermath is all important, including efficient watering, appropriate fertilization and integrated pest management to better ensure positive results.
For those of us who have had edible gardens in states other than Florida, when attempting to take like action here, we eventually come to the realization that gardening elsewhere is not like gardening here. Let’s consider tomatoes as an example. In my Pennsylvania hometown, the norm is to plant in spring after the last chance of frost and harvest in summer and early fall. For those who may try that strategy here in Southwest Florida, it is likely the results will be less than stellar for most tomato varieties. The “Why” for this is because most tomato varieties need cooler weather for fruit set, i.e., turning flowers into fruit. When trying to set fruit in hot weather the plant becomes stressed, normally causing premature flower drop. A stressed plant leaves it more vulnerable than it would otherwise be to a wide range of pests/disease. The University of Florida/IFAS Extension recommends August through March for planting in South Florida and an even shorter window, September February could also be considered.
If you enjoy a wide variety of fresh perennial herbs, consider the needs of each type. A common error when planting herbs is to assume they can all be planted at the same time and enjoy the same type of light/water conditions. This is not the case, of course. Important to note is that herbs are not all equal in their requirements. For example, some herbs, such as basil and rosemary, are heat-loving while others like parsley, sage and thyme appreciate cooler conditions. Some herbs, such as rosemary, sage and thyme, prefer less water while others, like basil, appreciate more water.
If you are new to edible gardening, consider starting small. For example, rather than planting a lot of everything in-ground in the hopes that at least part of the mix will survive over time, you could set your sights on a more manageable strategy at the outset with container gardening, making certain that the container is well-draining and its size matches the mature height/spread of the plant. For me, having an elevated garden for herbs has been a back-saver. Because the garden is raised, it is just the right height for tending and harvesting and allows me to observe signs of distress more easily and to treat pests/diseases earlier than I might otherwise.
What has been presented here is just the tip of the edible iceberg. For more detail, check out the South Florida Gardening Calendar found at gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/planting/vegetable-gardens-by-season.html. There you will find a compendium by month of what and when to plant specific crops, along with what to do by way of care in the aftermath of planting.
Happy gardening!
Janetta Fox is a Lee County Master Gardener volunteer and member of the Garden Club of Cape Coral.