Vegetable Gardening in Florida

Daniel K. Fenneman, Robert C. Hochmuth, Wanda L. Laughlin, and Sean R. McCoy

Christian T. Christensen, Joel Reyes-Cabrera, Libby R. Rens, Jeffrey E. Pack, Lincoln Zotarelli, Chad Hutchinson, Wendy J. Dahl, Doug Gergela, and James M. White

Sydney Park-Brown, Tiare Saracino, James M. Stephens, Larry Williams, andDanielle Treadwell

This guide provides research-based recommendations appropriate for home gardens. It covers planning, soil preparation, compost and fertilizing, irrigation and drainage, and pest management with and without pesticides. Includes tables with fertilizer and insect control recommendations, a planting guide with planting dates and spacing information, and a table of varieties recommended for Florida gardens.

Danielle Treadwell, David Outerbridge, Tabitha Petri, Tabitha A. Petri, James Stephens, andJames M. Stephens

For each vegetable you plan to grow in your garden, you will have to decide whether to start it from seed, from transplants, or from plant parts. The main advantage in starting directly from seeds is that you have a wider selection of varieties and sources to choose from compared to buying transplants at a garden center. Furthermore, not all vegetables do well when transplanted, and most vegetables can be grown from seed sown directly in a garden row. This publication provides considerations and best practices for selecting and planting seeds in home and community gardens

Xueyan Zhang, Mary Dixon, and Guodong Liu

Purslane is often labeled as a noxious weed in Florida; however, this seemingly pesky plant is perceived as a nutritional powerhouse in Asia and other continents. Levels of vitamin A and E in purslane far surpass those found in broccoli, tomato, and lettuce. A mere 3.5 ounces of purslane can fulfill 81% of an individual's daily vitamin requirements, and up to half a pound can meet the daily needs for both Vitamins A and E. Sustaining this nutritional wealth hinges on the timing of harvest when purslane plants attain a height of 5 to 6 inches. Beyond this stage, purslane becomes excessively fibrous and aged, making it unsuitable for consumption and necessitating removal through weeding. This publication article provides a comprehensive overview of purslane, delving into its botany, garden production, harvest practices, and both culinary and medicinal uses to assist growers and consumers in understanding when to savor its nutritional benefits and when to weed it from farmlands.

Terry Brite DelValle andTiare Saracino

This document is ENH1211, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date May 2013. Revised July 2016.

Rao S. Mylavarapu, William d'Angelo, and Nancy Wilkinson

This document is the Landscape and Vegetable Garden Test Form (SL136), one of the Soil Testing Information Sheets (Submission Forms) used by the UF/IFAS Extension Soil Testing Laboratory. The sheet provides details about how to collect samples and testing fees. 

Danielle D. Treadwell and Sydney Park Brown

This 16-page fact sheet is meant to be a companion to the Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide. It is intended for the home gardener who prefers to use natural and organic materials as well as methods that are compatible with the philosophy of organic gardening.

James M. Stephens and Guodong Liu

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for Homeowner audience(s). in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Animal Systems

Vance M. Whitaker, Natalia A. Peres, Sriyanka Lahiri, Sydney Park-Brown, Craig Chandler, andCraig K. Chandler

Florida is the winter strawberry capital of the world. In commercial and home production, strawberries are grown as an annual crop rather than as perennials. This 4-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department presents guidelines for the successful production of strawberries in the Florida home garden. Minor revision by Vance M. Whitaker, Natalia A. Peres, Sriyanka Lahiri, Sydney Park Brown, and Craig K. Chandler.