Cool Season Crops

In Florida, we can grow cool season crops all winter long. A beautiful thing, I know. Lucky us! Actually, it’s one of the best times of the years to be outside, soaking in the gentle rays of sunshine, the cool breezes, misty mornings…

I could go on. If you’re new to Florida, you might not know our cool season crops.

Cool Season Crops in Florida

Kale is one. In fact, the Brassica family of plants in general loves this time of year. Think broccoli, cabbage, Bok choy, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts. These are all frost tolerant and easy to grow. Broccoli and cabbage will require some heavy feeding, but if you treat them right, they’ll treat you right.

Note: Just because some of these vegetables are frost tolerant, doesn’t mean you don’t want to cover them. Here in Florida, we can dip into the twenties and hover there for several days. Leaves can be burned.

We also adore sugar snap peas. Beautiful, easy to grow and delicious!

Then there is my new favorite: radish. These little fellas grow quickly and add a bit of spice to my salads. Carrots, beets and turnips are some other root vegetables that grow well this time of year.

Come January, it’s time to plant potatoes. And while they are one of our cool season crops, they don’t always fare well, despite a layer of mulch and frost protective blanket.

Planting Guide

This guide was produced by Edmund Thrall with the University of Florida. It provides the basics for all you need to know about cool season crops.

For an ultra-complete list including planting dates, seed depth, etc., check out this vegetable gardening publication by the University of Florida. They are the go-to center for the science of vegetable gardening in our state!