Ready to tackle your backyard garden? With more time on their hands, some South Floridians have decided to try their hand at growing food. First-time gardeners or those new to the area should be aware of some key truths about gardening in the subtropics so you won’t be disappointed:

• We’re located in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 10A, 10B and 11. This is the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location. It’s based on temperatures, which is why winter is suitable here for growing vegetables like tomatoes, lettuces and strawberries, while summer is the time for tropical fruits and heat-loving plants like tropical spinaches, peppers, many herbs and okra.
• Buy seedlings or plant starts from local suppliers rather than big-box retailers. Local gardeners sell what works best here in South Florida.
• Summer is also our rainy season. This means generally it’s a good time to plant fruit trees and bananas.

Good Follows for South Florida Gardening Info

UF/IFAS offers lots of resources online geared to Florida’s different regions.

Little River Cooperative has launched a new YouTube channel with videos on backyard growing.

Dylan Terry of Ready-to-Grow Gardens is a good source of plant information and plants.

Tree Amigos Growers in Davie share excellent growing information regularly.

In Oakland Park, Talk@10 covers steps to a successful summer garden from Urban Farming Institute. 

Gourmet Gardeners offers plants, raised bed gardens and other South Florida garden information here.

Happy growing!