North Florida is a great place to garden. Our weather provides the opportunity to plant year-round. As a child, my family always had a huge garden. I can remember my parents at the kitchen table with gardening books and graph paper planning the layout for that year’s crop. Dad used the tractor to till the ground and plow it into rows, making trenches and mounds. Then we’d furrow by hand, using stakes and strings and a hoe to dig trenches for the seeds. We’d set up the short white wire fence to grow peas and layout the irrigation hoses and sprinklers. The first things we’d plant were broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, potatoes, and English peas. When I was a bit older, we added raised bed gardening and planted beets, carrots, and onions. Once my parents were empty nesters, they went strictly raised bed and planted arugula and lots of lettuces: Bibb, Buttercrunch, Loose Leaf, and Romaine. I loved stopping by to chat while my dad picked me a bag full of lettuce which made great salads.
Since it is a new year and a time to start new things, why not give gardening a go? There are all kinds of ways to garden: in the ground, container gardening, and raised beds are the ones I’ve tried. Once you’ve picked your area, planning it out on paper first is helpful. Now, what would you like to grow? The Cabbage Family (Brassicaceae) makes up the majority of your January planting in our area. This family includes arugula, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, collards, kale, kohlrabi, mustard, radish, and turnips. Below is a list of all the veggies to plant in January. The information about harvest times, seed spacing and depth, and suggested varieties comes from IFAS's Florida Fresh.
- Cabbage Family (Brassicaceae)
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Planting Dates: Sept–Mar
Days to harvest: 35-60
Row spacing (inches):10
Plant spacing (inches): 3-4
Seed depth (inches): .25
Recommended varieties: Speedy, Astro
Additional info: Plant at 2-3 week intervals from fall through spring for a continual harvest. The dark green, spicy leaves can be steamed, pureed, or used raw in salads and sandwiches. Harvest individual leaves as needed or the entire plant when it is 8-10 inches tall. High temperatures cause arugula to flower and become bitter.
Planting Dates: Aug–Feb
Days to harvest: 75-90
Row spacing (inches): 24
Plant spacing (inches): 10-15
Seed depth (inches): .25-.5
Recommended varieties: Early Green, Early Dividend, Green Sprouting/Calabrese, Waltham, Packman, De Cicco, Broccoli Raab (Rapini)
Additional info: Harvest heads before flowers open. Many small side shoots develop after the main head is cut. Very cold hardy and nutritious. Broccoli Raab is not related to broccoli.
Planting Dates: Aug-Feb
Days to harvest: 90-120
Row spacing (inches): 24
Plant spacing (inches): 18-24
Seed depth (inches): .25.-.5
Recommended varieties: Jade Cross, Long Island Improved
Additional info: Sprouts are picked when they are walnut-sized and firm. The first sprouts near the bottom of the plant will be ready first. Pull off the leaves below the mature sprouts, then remove the sprouts by twisting them from the stem. Pick the sprouts at about 2-week intervals and them keep refrigerated. Cool weather (58-60°F) is required or sprouts will open and not be solid.
Planting Dates: Aug–Feb
Days to harvest: 85-110
Row spacing (inches): 24
Plant spacing (inches): 9-16
Seed depth (inches): .25-.5
Recommended varieties: Rio Verde, Flat Dutch, Round Dutch, Wakefield types, Copenhagen Market, Savoy, Red Acre
Additional info: High in vitamins, especially vitamin C. Long fall/winter planting season. Buy clean plants to avoid cabbage black-rot disease. Needs ample moisture and fertilizer. Frost tolerant. Watch for caterpillars.
Planting Dates: Aug–Feb
Days to harvest: 75-90
Row spacing (inches): 24
Plant spacing (inches): 12-18
Seed depth (inches): .25-.5
Recommended varieties: Snowball Strains, Snow Crown, Brocoverde
Additional info: Can be difficult to grow. Plants are cold hardy; heads are not. Tie leaves around the head (called blanching) when it is 2-3 inches to prevent discoloration or plant self-blanching varieties.
Planting Dates: Aug-Feb
Days to harvest: 70-90
Row spacing (inches): 14
Plant spacing (inches): 14-18
Seed depth (inches): .25-.5
Recommended varieties: Michihili, Bok Choy, Napa, Baby Bok Choy, Pak-choi, Joi Choi
Additional info: Easy to grow. Two types exist: Heading (Pekinensis) or Open-leaf (Chinensis). Bok Choy is open-leaf type, while Michihili and Napa form tighter heads.
Planting Dates: Aug-Feb
Days to harvest: 70-90
Row spacing (inches): 24
Plant spacing (inches): 12-24
Seed depth (inches): .25-5
Recommended varieties: Georgia, Georgia Southern, Top Bunch, Vates
Additional info: Cold and heat tolerant. Cool-season greens are more flavorful. Greens are ready for use 2 months after planting. Harvest lower leaves; never remove more than 1/3 of the plant at one time. Respond well to nitrogen fertilizer.
Planting Dates: Aug–Feb
Days to harvest: 50-70
Row spacing (inches): 18
Plant spacing (inches): 8-12
Seed depth (inches): .25-.5
Recommended varieties: Vates Dwarf Blue Curled, Tuscan (Lacinato), Winterbor, Redbor
Additional info: Good source of greens late fall through early spring in north and central Florida. Harvest outer leaves, but no more than 1/3 of the plant at one time. Ornamental types are edible, but not very tasty.
Planting Dates: Sept–Mar
Days to harvest: 70-80
Row spacing (inches): 24
Plant spacing (inches): 3-5
Seed depth (inches): .5
Recommended varieties: Early White Vienna, Purple Vienna
Additional info: Easy to grow. Red and green varieties exist. Use fresh or cooked. Leaves are edible. Harvest stems when 1 ½ to 3 inches in diameter.
Planting Dates: Aug-Feb
Days to harvest: 40-50
Row spacing (inches): 12
Plant spacing (inches): 5-10
Seed depth (inches):.25-.5
Recommended varieties: Southern Giant Curled, Florida Broad Leaf, Tendergreen, Giant Red, Green Wave, Mizuna
Additional info: Good cooking green fall through spring; harvest outer leaves. Broadleaf types require more space. Can be damaged by freezing temperatures. Warm temperatures create a bitter flavor.
Planting Dates: Sept–Mar
Days to harvest: 20-30
Row spacing (inches): 6
Plant spacing (inches): 1
Seed depth (inches): .25
Recommended varieties: Cherry Belle, White Icicle, Sparkler, Champion, Daikon
Additional info: Easy and fast-growing; thin early and intercrop with slow-growing vegetables to save space. Plant every two weeks during the growing season for a continuous supply. Spicy, bitter flavor caused by hot weather and over-maturity. Winter/Oriental radishes (such as Daikon) also grow well in Florida.
Planting Dates: Aug-Feb
Days to harvest: 40-60
Row spacing (inches): 12
Plant spacing (inches): 2-6
Seed depth (inches): .25-.5
Recommended varieties: Roots: Purple Top White Globe Top; Greens: Seven Top, Shogoin
Additional info: Quick-growing, cool weather crop. Grow for roots and tops (greens). Broadcast seed in wide-row or single file. Thin early to allow for root expansion. Smaller roots (2”) are milder in flavor.
- Beet Family (Chenopodiaceae) - Beets, Spinach, and Swiss Chard
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Planting Dates: Aug-Feb
Days to harvest: 50-70
Row spacing (inches): 12
Plant spacing (inches): 3-6
Seed depth (inches): .5-1
Recommended varieties: Tall Top, Early Wonder, Detroit Dark Red, Cylindra, Red Ace, Yellow Detroit
Additional info: Beets require ample moisture at seeding or poor germination will result. Leaves are edible. Thin early so beet roots have room to enlarge. Very cold tolerant. High in vitamins and iron.
Planting Dates: Sept-Mar
Days to harvest: 45-60
Row spacing (inches): 12
Plant spacing (inches): 2-6
Seed depth (inches): .5
Recommended varieties: Melody 3, Bloomsdale Longstanding, Tyee, Space
Additional info: Grows best during the coolest months. Quick maturing. Harvest entire plant or by removing outer leaves.
Planting Dates: Sept-May
Days to harvest: 45-60
Row spacing (inches): 18
Plant spacing (inches): 6-12
Seed depth (inches): .25-.5
Recommended varieties: Bright Lights, Bright Yellow, Fordhook Giant, Lucullus, Red Ruby
Additional info: Seeds can be sown in the fall as well as in late winter/early spring An excellent alternative green for warm weather. Harvest outer leaves when 8-10 inches long. Very susceptible to root-knot nematodes.
- Carrot Family (Apiaceae) - Carrots and Celery
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Planting Dates: Aug–Mar
Days to harvest: 70-120
Row spacing (inches): 10
Plant spacing (inches): 1-3
Seed depth (inches): .25
Recommended varieties: Imperator, Nantes, Danvers, Chantenay
Additional info: Grow carrots on a raised bed for best results. Sow seeds shallowly. They are slow to germinate. Keep soil consistently moist throughout the germination and growing periods. Thin seedlings to recommended spacing when they are an inch tall. Excellent source of vitamin A.
Planting Dates: Aug-Feb
Days to harvest: 75-90
Row spacing (inches): 18
Plant spacing (inches): 6-12
Seed depth (inches): On Surface
Recommended varieties: Utah Strains
Additional info: Can be a difficult crop in the home garden. Requires very high soil moisture during the seeding/seedling stage. Needs 3 months or longer to mature. Look for early-maturing varieties.
- Aster Family (Asteraceae) - Endive, Escarole, and Lettuce
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Planting Dates: Jan-Feb & Aug-Oct
Days to harvest: 60-80
Row spacing (inches): 18
Plant spacing (inches): 14-16
Seed depth (inches): .25
Recommended varieties: Endive: Green Curled Ruffec Escarole: Batavian Broadleaf
Additional info: Excellent ingredient in tossed salads or can be cooked as greens. Bitterness can be reduced by blanching 2-3 weeks before harvest. Escarole (Batavian endive) is a broad-leaved selection.
Planting Dates: Jan-Feb & Sept-Oct
Days to harvest: 60-80
Row spacing (inches): 18
Plant spacing (inches): 8-12
Seed depth (inches): .25
Recommended varieties: Crisphead: Great Lakes; Butterhead: Ermosa, Bibb, Tom Thumb, Buttercrunch; Loose Leaf: Simpson types, Salad Bowl, Red Sails, New Red Fire, Oak Leaf, Salad Bowl, Royal Oak; Romaine: Parris Island Cos, Outredgeous
Additional info: Leaf types grow well in Florida; grow crisphead type only in coolest months. Damaged by freezing temperatures. Warm temperatures cause bitterness. Sow seeds very shallow as they need light to germinate. Intercrop lettuce with long-season and/or taller vegetables.
- Onions (bunching) - Green and Shallots
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Planting Dates: Aug–Mar
Days to harvest: 50-100
Row spacing (inches): 14
Plant spacing (inches): 2 (green) 6 - 8 (shallots and leeks)
Seed depth (inches): .25-.5
Family: Lily (Liliaceae)
Recommended varieties: Green: Evergreen Bunching, White Lisbon Bunching; Multipliers: (Shallots); Leeks: American Flag
Additional info: Depending on the type, onions may be grown from seed, sets, transplants, or division. Green/bunching onions may be grown fall through spring. Plant close and harvest (thin) as needed. Insert sets upright for straight stems. Divide and reset multiplier types every year.
- Peas, English and Snow
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Planting Dates: Jan–Mar
Days to harvest: 60-80
Row spacing (inches): 12
Plant spacing (inches): 2-6
Seed depth (inches): 1-1.5
Family: Bean (Fabaceae)
Recommended varieties: Wando, Green Arrow, Sugar Snap, Oregon Sugarpod II
- Potatoes, Irish
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Planting Dates: Jan–Feb
Days to harvest: 85-110
Row spacing (inches): 36-42
Plant spacing (inches): 5-10
Seed depth (inches): 3-4 Seed pieces
Family: Tomato (Solanaceae)
Recommended varieties: Red Pontiac, Yukon Gold, Gold Rush
Additional info: Plant 2-ounce certified seed pieces with at least one eye. Each will produce 6-8 potatoes. Do not start with "store-bought". Require cool temperatures, moisture, and large amounts of fertilizer.
Learn about our Seed Library and seed saving. Then try some materials from our collection that might help you decide what to plant and how to cultivate, maintain, harvest, and preserve what you grow.
The All New Ball Book of Canning and Preserving: Over 350 of the Best Canned, Jammed, Pickled, and Preserved Recipes by the Ball Corporation
Canning and Preserving for Dummies by Amelia Jeanroy
Complete Guide to Florida Gardening by Stan DeFreitas
Florida Fruit and Vegetable Gardening: Plant, Grow, and Harvest the Best Edibles by Robert E. Bowden
Florida Gardener's Handbook: All You Need to Know to Plan, Plant, and Maintain a Florida Garden by Tom MacCubbin
Florida Gardening On the Go by Lynette L. Walther
Florida Month-by-Month Gardening: What to Do Each Month to Have a Beautiful Garden All Year by Tom MacCubbin
Gardening Hacks: 300+ Time and Money Saving Hacks by Jon VanZile
Guide to Florida Fruit and Vegetable Gardening by Robert Bowden
The Healthy Vegetable Garden: A Natural, Chemical-free Approach to Soil, Biodiversity, and Managing Pests and Diseases by Sally Morgan
The Little Veggie Patch Co. DIY Garden Projects: Easy Activities for Edible Gardening and Backyard Fun by Mat Pember and Dillon Seitchik-Reardon
The New Heirloom Garden: Designs, Recipes, and Heirloom Plants for Cooks Who Love to Garden by Ellen Ogden
Organic Methods for Vegetable Gardening in Florida by Ginny Stibolt and Melissa Contreras
Totally Crazy Easy Florida Gardening: The Secrets to Growing Piles of Food in the Sunshine State by David Goodman
Vegetable Gardening in Florida by James M. Stephens
The Wildlife-Friendly Vegetable Gardener: How to Grow Food in Harmony with Nature by Tammi Hartung
