More Vegetable Varieties for the Florida Garden

Not every seed packet sold in a Florida retail store contains seeds that will thrive and produce well in a tropical or sub-tropical climate. The following list of varieties is recommended by J.M. Stephens et al in the ‚”Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide” published by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences [rev. 2009]. These cultivars have been tested and proven successful for growing in a Florida backyard garden.

• Endive/Escarole. Endive: Green Curled Ruffec. Escarole: Batavian Broadleaf.
• Kale. Vates Dwarf Blue Curled, Tuscan, Winterbor, Redbor.
• Kohlrabi. Purple Vienna, Early White Vienna. Both the red and green varieties are easy to grow and can be enjoyed raw or cooked.
• Lettuce. Crisphead: Great Lakes. Butterhead: Ermosa, Bibb, Tom Thumb, Buttercrunch. Loose Leaf: Simpson, Red sails, Salad Bowl, New Red Fire. Romaine: Outredgeous, Parris Island Cos. Lettuce grown in Florida is susceptible to a number of diseases including corky root, and should only be grown during the cool months. An exception is ‚”Queensland” Lettuce distributed by Echo Farms, which is heat-resistant.
• Mustard. Southern Giant Curled, Tendergreen, Florida Broad Leaf, Green Wave.
• Okra. Clemson Spineless, Emerald, Annie Oakley II, Cajun Delight. Okra grown in Florida is highly susceptible to root-knot nematodes.
• Onions. Bulbing: Granex (yellow). Green: Evergreen Bunching, White Lisbon Bunching. Leeks: American Flag. Multipliers: Shallots. Short-day varieties are required for bulbing onions planted in Florida. Seed in the fall, then transplant Jan-Feb.
• English/Snow Peas. Wando, Sugar Snap, Green Arrow, Oregon Sugarbod II.
• Southern Peas. California Blackeye No. 5, Pinkeye Purple Hull, Texas Cream. These peas (also called cow peas) are a common summer cover crop. The California Blackeye No. 5 is resistant to root-knot nematodes.
• Peppers. Bell: California Wonder, Red Knight, Big Bertha. Other sweet: Giant Marconi, Sweet Banana, Mariachi, Cubanelle. Jalapeno: Jalapeno M, Early Jalapeno. Hot: Habanero, Big Chile II, Ancho, Thai, Hungarian Hot Wax. Mulching can be very beneficial when planting peppers. More hot varieties available. Often produce into the summer.
• Potato. Red Pontiac, Gold Rush, Yukon Gold. Plant seed pieces with eyes. May be planted in towers of old tires to save space. Remove the tops 2 weeks prior to digging them up so the skin toughens.
• Sweet Potato. Vardaman (bush type), Beauregard, Centennial. Watch out for sweet potato weevils; use only certified weevil-free transplants.

Don’t forget to read about additional Florida-friendly vegetables, including cucumbers and broccoli as well as tomatoes and squash.

Besides choosing the right cultivars, following some best practices for vegetable gardening in Florida will go a long way to helping gardeners in the Sunshine State overcome obstacles as well. With the right varieties plus some helpful tips, just about anyone can produce food year round in their Florida dooryard vegetable garden.