What to Plant in Central Florida

Central Florida Gardening Tips

Do you wonder what to plant in Central Florida? The weather and soil condition play an instrumental role when planting in Central Florida,  Like most of the state, the tropical weather in Central Florida is subject to rapid change without notice. Sudden rainfalls during the rainy season can become a completely sunny day. Generally, the rainy season is during the summer while the hurricane season is in summer and fall. There is also a dry season during the winter and spring months.  The humid weather is persistent during the year except for a few months.

Soil Condition in Central Florida

Like most Florida, the soil in Central Florida is a fine grayish type of soil which locally known as Myakka, a native Indian word for “big waters. Most parts of North Florida except for Panhandles also share the same type of soil. The soil in Panhandle Florida is a mixture of sands and clay which slows down the drainage. However, some of the best and fertile soil for planting can be found around the Everglades.

Central Florida Planting Calendar

January Planting in Central Florida

• Fertilization –  January is a perfect time to fertilize all varieties of existing trees as well as the roses

• Pruning – Prune all trees as well as the plants before they flower

• Planting Flowers– The mild winter in Central Florida allows for the planting of a wide variety of flowers from bulbs to annuals and camellias. For annuals, you can choose from snapdragon, pansy, viola, and petunia.   For bulbs, try planting agapanthus, gloriosa lily, and Crinum bulbs surrounded with a thick layer of mulch, And, plant camellias of any kind and color for a vibrant garden

• Planting Crops – Perfect time to start planting crops such as broccoli, carrots, lettuce, kale, Irish potatoes 

• February Planting in North Florida

• Fertilization – Perfect time to feed all roses

• Pruning – Shape, and size the roses

• Planting Flowers – Since there is still a good chance for cold snaps, when planting flowers the January examples should be followed. This is also a good time to plant bulbs, and annual flowers capable of surviving one or two cold snaps

• Planting Crops – Continue with the January planting schedule and start planting seeds for potatoes in the soil or containers. Planting crops in 2 weeks intervals will produce an uninterrupted harvest on later days

March Planting in Central Florida

• Fertilization – March is a good time to start fertilizing all palms. Feed them with slow-release fertilizers and keep them hydrated. Most other plants like azaleas can be fertilized in March as well

• Pruning – Prune all flowering plants like azaleas and camellias after they are finished blooming

• Planting Flowers – Get the garden ready for spring by planting show-flowing plants like violas, dusty millers, or angelonia. Also, March is the perfect time for planting bulbs that bloom in the summertime

• Planting Crops – Perfect time for planting berry plants like strawberry and raspberry. For vegetable crops, you can start planting from seed the beans, peas, radishes, and spinach. The tomatoes and squash can also be sown directly with little care and preparedness for a possible cold snap

April Planting in Central Florida

• Fertilization – Mid-April is the time to attend to the northern lawn by fertilizing and fixing the bare spots through raking and seeding

• Pruning – If azaleas have completed their blooming, prune and trim them down

• Planting Flowers – April is the perfect time for planting marigolds, petunias, coleus, and tropical plants like calla lilies or caladiums as well as dividing the perennials and bulbs

• Planting Crops – Plant cucumbers, tomatoes, and herbs in April

May Planting in Central Florida

• Fertilization – It’s time for fertilization of the lawn, best way to feed the lawn is to fertilize with half-pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn. Warm weather brings pests and lawn watch for signs of chinch bugs. Look for patches of dead grass in sunny areas near sidewalks and treat the damaged area with appropriate insecticides. Also, most mites and thrips start showing up in May. Check out tomato plants for hornworms

• Pruning – May is the start of hurricane seasons, trim all trees and cut down all dead limbs.

• Planting Flowers – Plant warm weather annuals like zinnia, salvia, and angelonia

• Planting Crops – May is a good time for planting most herbs and creating a beautiful herb garden

June Planting in Central Florida

• Fertilization – The rainy season in North Florida has started and most fertilization is prohibited in most areas. Follow the experts’ advice and refrain from fertilizing during these months.

• Pruning – Continue pruning large trees and remove loose garden waste from your yard to help preparation efforts in case of a hurricane or tropical storm. Harvest all fruits as soon as they ripen and dispose of vegetable plants that have passed their productivity period

• Planting Flowers – Perennials love the June sun, make your garden colorful by planting perennials like grasses and black-eyed Susan. It is also a good time for planting other colorful plants like coleus, portulaca, and celosia. Also, the rainy season means an abundance of water for trees which make it perfect for planting palms

• Planting Crops – Plant watermelons, summer/winter squash, southern peas, okra, and eggplant

July Planting in Central Florida

• Fertilization – Apply iron to lawns by mixing 2 ounces of ferrous sulfate in 3 to 5 gallon of water for every 1,000 square feet of lawn. Make up for the limited fertilization by clearing the dead flowers from annual plants, deadheading.

• Pruning – Azaleas will be blooming soon and July is the last call for pruning them without harming the flower buds

• Planting Flowers – Plant gladiolus, society garlic, azaleas, and bulbs

• Planting Crops – Get ready for harvesting pumpkins in October by planting pumpkin seeds in July

August Planting in Central Florida

• Fertilization – Look for damages done to the lawn by armyworm and webworms. The affected area appear to be mowed very low due to these caterpillar-like warms going on a feeding frenzy on grass

• Pruning – Mums will have bigger and fuller flowers by little trimming in August. All other plants will also benefit from a little trimming and deadheading in August

• Planting Flowers – Plant long-lasting annual that flourish in a hot and humid environment such as begonias, coleus, volvulus, gaillardia, and lantana

• Planting Crops – August is time to plant lima beans, corn, spinach, peppers, and cucumbers

September Planting in Central Florida

• Fertilization – Fertilize shrubs and newly planted trees. Look for a brown-patch disease which is a type of fungus common on St Augustine and Zoysia lawns. Simply look for circular areas with diameters of 5 to 6 feet where grass has died. Apply an appropriate fungicide to control the disease.

• Pruning – Generally the Fall season is not a good time for pruning even in states like Florida that trees hardly lose their leaves. Leave all pruning for late winter or early spring.

• Planting Flowers – Add fresh colors to your annuals by planting begonias, ageratum, and zinnia

• Planting Crops – Fall is the perfect time to start planting the strawberry bushes. For vegetable garden plant carrots and radishes

October Planting in Central Florida

• Fertilization – Apply the last round of fertilizer to citrus trees. Like September, keep an eye on your grass for brown patch fungus.

• Pruning – For the frost-prone region, move all tender tropical plants inside. For perennials, wait till the first frost is passed to prune them.

• Planting Flowers – October is a good time for planting roses, shrubs, and trees. Also, you will enjoy the flowers of daffodils, crocus, and tulips in April if they are planted in October. Other flowers to plant in October include carnations, statice, pansy, sweet peas, snapdragon, and calendula.

• Planting Crops -Plant greens and root vegetables in frost-free regions. October is the perfect time for planting cabbage, lettuce, collards, mustard greens, as well as carrots, beets, cauliflower, and garlic.

November Planting in Central Florida

• Fertilization – Fertilize the newly planted ryegrass if it was not fed at the beginning. Use either 16-4-8 or 16-0-16 fertilizer in the ratio of 3 pounds per 1,000 square feet of lawn

• Pruning – Cut perennials and annuals after the very first hard freeze and make sure to remove all dead foliage. This is instrumental in reducing the risk of diseases from reoccurring the next time around. Also, spread a thick layer of winter mulch around shrubs, trees, and perennials. This will prevent the ground from freezing and thawing during the winter which could damage the plants.

• Planting Flowers – Plant bulbs that flower in the spring, if you haven’t done already.

• Planting Crops – Strawberries should be planted during the first 2 weeks of February. Also, kale and spinach can be planted in November.

December Planting in Central Florida

• Fertilization – Most areas of North Florida experience freezing ground in December and should wait for any fertilizing tasks

• Pruning – Continue regular cleaning of the flower beds, around the trees and shrubs

• Planting Flowers – There is still time to plants bulbs like daffodils and tulips for spring-flowering if the ground is not completely frozen yet.

• Planting Crops – With icy and frozen ground this is not a great time for outdoor planting crops

Now you know what to plant in Central Florida! Grow flowers, plant crops, and prune plants in the right conditions and seasons for Florida gardens.