Gardening in Florida isn’t like gardening anywhere else—our sandy soil, relentless heat, and sudden storms throw even experienced gardeners off. If you’ve struggled to keep plants alive, you’re not alone! Here are five common mistakes Florida gardeners make—and how to fix them.
1. Planting at the Wrong Time
The Mistake: Treating Florida like northern states and planting tomatoes in May or lettuce in July.
The Fix: Follow Florida’s unique growing seasons:
Cool-Season Crops: Lettuce, carrots, broccoli (Oct–Feb).
Warm-Season Crops: Peppers, okra, Seminole pumpkin (Mar–Jun).
Download the UF/IFAS planting calendar or bookmark one for your zone.
2. Ignoring Soil Health
The Mistake: Planting directly into Florida’s sandy soil without amending it.
The Fix: Build raised beds or amend with compost, worm castings, or organic matter. Sandy soil drains fast and lacks nutrients—your plants need the boost!
3. Overwatering (or Underwatering)
The Mistake: Daily watering, which leads to weak roots, or forgetting that sandy soil dries fast.
The Fix: Water deeply 2–3 times per week in early morning. Add mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
4. Planting the Wrong Varieties
The Mistake: Growing supermarket-type tomatoes or northern vegetable varieties that can’t handle Florida heat.
The Fix: Choose Florida-adapted varieties:
Tomatoes: Florida 91, Everglades.
Peppers: Big Bertha.
Herbs: Lemongrass, basil, Cuban oregano.
5. Forgetting to Feed the Plants
The Mistake: Assuming sandy soil has nutrients to sustain vegetables.
The Fix: Fertilize regularly with organic slow-release fertilizers or compost tea. Plants in Florida burn through nutrients quickly.
Encouragement for Beginners
If your first Florida garden flopped, don’t give up! Even seasoned gardeners fail before finding what works here. Start small, use raised beds or containers, and focus on one or two easy crops first. With the right timing and care, Florida gardens can thrive year-round—and the harvest is worth it.