When To Plant Tomatoes In Florida

If you want a great tomato harvest in Florida, you need to get your timing just right. Knowing exactly when to plant tomatoes in Florida is the single most important step for success.

Our unique climate, with its long growing seasons and intense heat, offers two perfect windows for planting. Miss these windows, and you’ll battle pests, disease, and poor fruit set. Get it right, and you’ll be rewarded with baskets full of homegrown flavor.

This guide breaks down the optimal timing for your specific region and gives you the clear steps to follow.

Florida is divided into three main gardening regions: North, Central, and South. Each has its own ideal planting dates based on the first and last frosts and the summer heat.

North Florida (Zones 8-9)

This area can get frosts in winter. You have two distinct planting seasons.

Spring Planting: Plant from late February through mid-March. This gives plants time to mature and produce fruit before the peak summer heat arrives in June.
Fall Planting: This is often the best season. Plant from late July through early September. The plants will grow as temperatures cool, producing fruit in the fall.

Central Florida (Zones 9b-10a)

Frost is rare here, but the summer heat is intense. Timing is crucial.

Spring Planting: Get plants in the ground from late January through February. An early start is key.
Fall Planting: Aim for planting in August or early September. This is a very productive season.

South Florida (Zones 10b-11)

Frost is not a concern, but the long, hot summer is. The main planting is in the fall.

Fall Planting: Plant from August through September. You can also plant in January for a spring harvest, but fall often yields better results.
Spring Planting: If you try a spring crop, plant in January at the latest.

Why This Timing Matters

Tomatoes need warm soil to grow but cool nights to set fruit. Daytime temperatures above 90°F and night temperatures above 75°F often cause blossom drop, where flowers fall off without making fruit. Planting in the recommended windows avoids the worst of the summer heat during the critical fruiting stage.

Choosing the Right Tomato Variety

Your timing must match the variety you choose. Picking a tomato bred for Florida conditions makes a huge difference.

For Heat & Disease Resistance: Look for varieties with “VFN” or “VFNT” on the tag. This means they resist common soil diseases. Choose determinate (bush) types for a concentrated harvest, or indeterminate (vining) types for fruit all season.
Recommended Spring Varieties: ‘Florida 91’, ‘Solar Fire’, ‘Celebrity’, ‘Better Boy’. These handle heat well.
Recommended Fall Varieties: ‘Cherry Sweet 100’, ‘Everglades’, ‘Homestead’, ‘Big Beef’. These perform great as weather cools.

Step-by-Step Planting Guide

Once you have your date and variety, follow these steps.

1. Site Selection & Soil Prep

Tomatoes need full sun—at least 8 hours of direct light. Good drainage is non-negotiable in Florida’s rainy seasons.

Raise beds or mounds if your soil drains slowly.
Test your soil pH. Tomatoes prefer 6.2 to 6.8. Florida soils are often sandy and acidic, so you may need to add lime.
Amend soil with 3-4 inches of compost or well-rotted manure before planting. This improves moisture retention and nutrients.

2. Planting Your Tomatoes

It’s best to use healthy transplants from a nursery. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your planting date if you prefer.

Water the transplant thoroughly before removing it from its pot.
Dig a hole deeper than the root ball. Tomatoes can be planted deeply, as they develop roots all along their buried stems.
Add a handful of balanced, slow-release organic fertilizer to the hole and mix it with the soil.
Place the plant in the hole, burying it up to the first set of true leaves. Remove any lower leaves that will be buried.
Fill the hole, gently firm the soil, and water deeply.
Space plants 2-3 feet apart for good air circulation.

3. Essential Care After Planting

Consistent care prevents problems and boosts yield.

Watering: Water deeply at the base 2-3 times per week, depending on rain. Avoid wetting the leaves to prevent disease. Mulch heavily with pine straw or leaves to conserve moisture.
Staking/Caging: Install a sturdy cage or stake at planting time. This keeps fruit off the ground and improves air flow.
Fertilizing: Feed every 2-3 weeks with a fertilizer low in nitrogen and higher in phosphorus and potassium (like a 5-10-10 blend) to promote flowers and fruit, not just leaves.

Common Florida Tomato Problems & Solutions

Our humidity and heat create specific challenges. Here’s how to manage them.

Pests

Tomato Hornworm: Hand-pick these large green caterpillars off plants.
Whiteflies & Aphids: Use a strong spray of water or insecticidal soap. Encourage ladybugs and other beneficial insects.
Stink Bugs & Fruitworms: Monitor regularly and remove damaged fruit. Spinosad-based organic insecticides can be effective.

Diseases

Blossom End Rot: Caused by calcium deficiency and irregular watering. Keep soil evenly moist and add lime if your soil test indicates.
Early Blight & Septoria Leaf Spot: Fungal diseases common in humidity. Water at the base, mulch, and remove affected leaves. Rotate where you plant tomatoes each year.
Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus: Spread by whiteflies. Use resistant varieties and control whitefly populations aggressively.

Harvesting Your Tomatoes

Harvest when the fruit is fully colored but still firm. Gently twist the tomato from the stem. For the best flavor, don’t refrigerate them; store at room temperature out of direct sun.

If a frost threatens your fall crop, you can pick mature green tomatoes and ripen them indoors in a paper bag. They won’t be quite as flavorful, but it’s better than losing them.

FAQ: Florida Tomato Planting

Can I grow tomatoes in Florida in the summer?

It is very difficult. The extreme heat, heavy rainfall, and intense pest and disease pressure usually lead to poor results. Most gardeners use the summer to prepare beds for the fall planting.

What is the latest I can plant tomatoes in Florida?

For North Florida, aim for early September. For Central Florida, mid-September. For South Florida, you can sometimes plant as late as early October. Later planting risks the plants not maturing before cooler winter temperatures slow growth.

Should I start tomatoes from seed or buy transplants?

Both work. Starting from seed gives you access to more varieties. Buying transplants from a local nursery is easier and gives you a head start, which is especially helpful for the short spring season. Ensure transplants are stocky and not root-bound.

How often should I water tomato plants in Florida?

Water deeply 2-3 times a week, providing 1-1.5 inches of water per week. Sandy soil drains fast, so check moisture frequently. Always water in the morning. Consistent watering is vital to prevent blossom end rot and cracking.

What is the best mulch for tomatoes in Florida?

Pine straw, wheat straw, or dried leaves are excellent. They keep soil cool, retain moisture, and suppress weeds. Avoid using fresh grass clippings, as they can mat down and generate to much heat as they decompose.

Getting your timing right is the foundation of growing great tomatoes here. By following these regional schedules and tips, you’ll work with Florida’s climate, not against it. Your reward will be a productive and healthy tomato garden that provides fresh fruit for months.