Looking Ahead: Fall Gardening in the Florida Panhandle

It may still be scorching hot outside, but it’s not too early to be thinking ahead of what to plant in your fall garden this upcoming season. There’s much to do to prepare, so knowing the right steps to get ahead will save you time. There are many options for fall and winter vegetables to grow in the Florida Panhandle and picking what is best for you or your family is essential.

The first step when planning a fall garden is to clean all debris from your previous plantings to prevent disease. The next would be to take a soil test. It’s essential to know the nutrients existing in the soil to have a successful growing season and thriving plants. You can contact your local extension office about soil testing availability in your area. Once you know the nutrient levels of your soil in your garden, you can make applicable amendments, such as adding compost. Some people opt to grow a cover crop in between growing seasons. For more information on cover crops in the garden, check out this article: Cover Crops in the Garden

It’s important to know what vegetables grow best at specific times of the year. Most vegetable plants grown in the fall are considered “hardy” or semi-hardy.” A plant’s hardiness determines their level of cold tolerance. While it stays relatively warm in the fall here in North Florida, it is important to understand the lowest temperature a vegetable plant can withstand. You should also know your USDA Hardiness Zone. As of 2023, the Florida Panhandle is considered 9A under the USDA Hardiness Zone map.

Many fall vegetables can be sewn directly into the ground. Some examples of fall vegetables are leafy greens like lettuce, kale, and swiss chard. There are other vegetables in the brassica family that thrive in the fall like broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts. To get more ideas of what to plant when, refer to the Florida Panhandle Planting Guide

If you would like to learn more about fall gardening and how to prepare the vegetables you grow, the UF/IFAS Jackson County Extension office will be hosting a Garden to Table Workshop on August 28 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. For more information on how to register visit: https://JacksonCountyFCS.eventbrite.com