The Sprint Before the Sizzle: Your Last Chance to Fill the Beds Before Florida Turns Up the Heat
Welcome to April—the month when Florida gardens hit their final sweet spot before the real heat and humidity set in. If March was about planting with potential, April is your sprint before the sizzle—your last big push to get warm-season crops in the ground before summer turns your garden into a jungle of wilted regrets.
This month, we’re focusing on the crops that still have time to thrive—but you’ll need to act fast. Whether you’re a new gardener or a seasoned pro, there’s still room for bold planting, smart planning, and a few creative workarounds for the hot months ahead.
🥕 What to Plant Right Now
April is the final curtain call for a wide range of Florida-friendly vegetables. Get these in the ground now, and you’ll be harvesting just as the heat really kicks in:
- Beans (snap, pole, bush)
- Cantaloupe
- Cucumbers
- Corn
- Eggplant
- Okra
- Peas
- Peppers
- Pumpkin
- Sweet Potato
- Watermelon
Be sure to water deeply, mulch heavily, and keep an eye on pests as temperatures rise.
🛑 What NOT to Wait For
The days of planting delicate leafy greens and cool-weather crops are behind us. April is not the time for:
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Kale
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
If you try, they’ll bolt faster than you can say “May.”
☀️ Summer-Proofing Your Garden
As we move into the hottest months, consider a few strategies to extend your garden’s success:
- Install shade cloths for young plants and delicate herbs.
- Start planning a partial summer pause—use cover crops, solarizing plastic, or mulch to rest garden beds.
- Grow heat-lovers like okra, sweet potato, and Seminole pumpkin that can take the heat and keep producing.
🧺 Featured Garden Project
Create a Heat-Ready Garden Zone
Consider converting one garden bed into a “summer stronghold”—a section that thrives in extreme heat and humidity. Mix sweet potatoes, okra, roselle, and tropical herbs like lemongrass or basil. It’s a great way to keep growing without constant stress management.
🌼 Garden Quote of the Month
“April prepares her green traffic light and the world thinks Go.”
—Christopher Morley
Let’s take the hint. Get those seeds in the soil, transplant those tomatoes, and give your garden the strong start it needs to thrive—before Florida’s full summer shows up with its sun hat and a vengeance.
🌿 Ready to Start Fresh?
Need help planning your garden before summer strikes? I’m here to help. Whether you’re dreaming of raised beds, want
to convert your lawn into a food forest, or just need a reset, I’d love to work with you.
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Wishing you cool mornings, warm harvests, and fewer wilted surprises this April!
With green thumbs,
Larissa
Founder, Stepping Stone Garden Coach