Winter Vegetables to Grow in Central Florida

One of the best-kept secrets about gardening in Central Florida is that winter is not the end of the growing season — it is the best part of it. While gardeners in the rest of the country are looking at frozen ground and seed catalogs, Brevard County gardeners are outside harvesting broccoli, lettuce, carrots, and tomatoes in 70-degree weather.

If you have never tried winter vegetable gardening in Florida, this is the year to start. Here is everything you need to know about what to grow, when to plant it, and how to get the most out of the season.

Why Winter Is Prime Time for Florida Vegetable Gardening

Central Florida's climate flips the conventional gardening calendar. Our summers are too hot and humid for most vegetables — temperatures above 90°F cause blossom drop on tomatoes and peppers, and the relentless humidity encourages fungal disease. Many gardeners take July and August off entirely.

Winter changes everything. From November through March, daytime temperatures in Brevard County typically range from 65–80°F with cool nights in the 50s. That is ideal growing weather for a huge range of vegetables that would bolt or fail in summer. The reduced rainfall also means less disease pressure and easier watering management.

The Florida winter growing season runs roughly November through April — six months of productive gardening with mild weather, lower pest pressure, and some of the most satisfying harvests of the year.

Cool-Season Vegetables That Thrive in Florida Winters

Broccoli

Broccoli is one of the most rewarding winter crops in Central Florida. It takes about 80–100 days from transplant to harvest, so plants started in October will be producing heads in January and February. Give it full sun, consistent moisture, and protection from caterpillars — cabbage loopers love broccoli, and fine insect netting is the most effective way to keep them off without spraying.

After you harvest the main head, side shoots continue producing smaller florets for weeks. One plant can keep giving for a long time.

Varieties to try: Calabrese, Waltham 29, DiCicco

Cauliflower

Cauliflower is slightly more demanding than broccoli but very rewarding. It needs consistent temperatures and moisture to form tight, white heads. Plant transplants in October or November and harvest in January through March. Blanching — tying the outer leaves over the developing head to protect it from sun — keeps the head white and mild-flavored.

Varieties to try: Snowball, Amazing, Cheddar (orange variety, no blanching needed)

Cabbage

Cabbage is cold-hardy, productive, and one of the easiest winter crops to grow in Florida. It takes 70–120 days depending on variety. Plant transplants in October and harvest from January through March. Cabbage stores well and a few plants produce more than most families can use.

Varieties to try: Golden Acre, Copenhagen Market, Savoy

Kale and Collard Greens

Both are workhorses of the Florida winter garden. Kale is especially easy — direct sow seeds in October and thin to 12 inches apart. Harvest outer leaves continuously and the plant keeps producing new growth from the center. Collard greens are a Florida staple and handle the occasional cold snap without complaint.

Varieties to try: Lacinato (dinosaur kale), Red Russian kale, Georgia Southern collards

Lettuce and Salad Greens

Lettuce is the fastest and most satisfying winter crop. Direct sow seeds in October through January and harvest baby greens in as little as 30 days, or let heads develop over 60–70 days. Sow a new row every two to three weeks for a continuous harvest all winter.

Arugula, spinach, mustard greens, and Swiss chard all grow well alongside lettuce in the Florida winter garden.

Varieties to try: Buttercrunch, Black Seeded Simpson, Romaine, Red Sails

Carrots

Carrots need loose, deep soil to develop properly — raised beds or deep containers work better than compacted in-ground soil. Direct sow seeds in October through December and harvest in 70–80 days. Thin seedlings to 2–3 inches apart for best root development. Florida-grown carrots are sweet and crisp, especially after a few cool nights.

Varieties to try: Nantes, Danvers, Chantenay (shorter varieties work well in shallower soil)

Radishes

The fastest vegetable in the garden — some varieties are ready to harvest in just 25 days. Direct sow in October through February. Radishes are great for filling gaps between slower-growing crops and are an excellent choice for kids learning to garden.

Varieties to try: Cherry Belle, French Breakfast, Daikon (for larger roots)

Beets

Beets give you two crops in one — the roots and the greens. Direct sow in October through January and harvest roots in 55–70 days. Baby beet greens can be harvested much earlier as a salad addition. Beets prefer loose, well-amended soil similar to carrots.

Varieties to try: Detroit Dark Red, Chioggia (striped), Golden Beet

Peas

English peas, snap peas, and snow peas all do well in Florida winters. Direct sow in October through January and give them a trellis to climb. They fix nitrogen in the soil as they grow, which benefits whatever you plant after them. Harvest snap peas and snow peas when pods are plump and bright green.

Varieties to try: Sugar Snap, Oregon Sugar Pod, Little Marvel

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a warm-season crop, but in Florida they can be grown in fall and early winter as well. Plant transplants in October for a harvest that runs from December through February. Choose varieties with good disease resistance and be prepared to protect plants if temperatures drop below 32°F.

Varieties to try: Celebrity, Sweet 100 cherry tomatoes, Better Boy, Heatmaster

Strawberries

Florida is one of the top strawberry-producing states in the country, and for good reason — our winter climate is nearly perfect for them. Plant strawberry transplants in October and November for fruit from December through April. They do well in raised beds and containers.

Varieties to try: Festival, Camarosa, Sweet Charlie

Herbs That Thrive in Florida Winters

Most culinary herbs perform their best in Florida's cool months:

• Cilantro — loves cool weather; direct sow in October for a fall and winter harvest. It bolts quickly in heat, so winter is the ideal season.
• Parsley — easy, productive, and cold-hardy through winter. Flat-leaf and curly both do well.
• Dill — direct sow in October; great for fresh use and pickling.
• Chives — cold-hardy and easy; great in containers.
• Oregano, thyme, and rosemary — perennial in Central Florida; they grow year-round but are especially vigorous in winter.

Tips for a Successful Winter Garden

Protect from occasional frosts. Most cool-season vegetables handle light frost well, but a hard freeze can damage tender crops. Keep frost cloth on hand and cover plants when temperatures are forecast below 32°F. See our guide on frost protection for details.

Water less than you think. Winter rainfall in Brevard County is minimal, but cooler temperatures mean plants use water more slowly. Check soil moisture before watering — overwatering in cool weather is a common mistake that leads to root rot.

Watch for caterpillars. Moth activity picks up in fall and winter, and their larvae — cabbage loopers, armyworms, imported cabbageworms — can devastate brassicas quickly. Fine insect netting is the most effective prevention, keeping moths from laying eggs on your plants in the first place.

Succession plant for continuous harvest. Instead of planting everything at once, sow a new row of lettuce, radishes, or carrots every two to three weeks. This spreads the harvest over the entire season instead of producing everything at once.

Come See What We Have in Stock

We have the potting soil needed for raised gardens or to just enrich an existing garden. For seeds, it would be best to buy them online, as you can find the best selection and prices there. Stop in and we will help you put together a planting plan for your space and get your winter garden started on the right foot.