Central Florida Fall Gardening: Zone 9b Vegetable Guide

Central Florida Fall Gardening: Zone 9b Guide

Central Florida fall gardening in Zone 9b offers a prime opportunity for growing the best vegetables for Central Florida fall, such as broccoli, lettuce, and carrots. Starting in September, autumn gardening in Central Florida benefits from milder temperatures and reduced pest activity, making it ideal for both warm-season and cool-season crops. This guide, inspired by the UF/IFAS Vegetable Gardening Guide, provides planting tips, a detailed list of Zone 9b fall crops, and strategies to ensure a bountiful harvest.

Why Central Florida Fall Gardening Thrives

Central Florida’s subtropical climate, classified as Zone 9b by the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, supports year-round gardening. For example, fall, from September to February, is especially favorable due to cooler weather (average highs of 85°F in September dropping to 70°F by December) and fewer pests. Therefore, Central Florida fall gardening is particularly rewarding for Zone 9b gardeners. Additionally, Zone 9b fall crops like cabbage and carrots thrive in these conditions, offering high yields with proper care. However, to succeed, gardeners must prepare soil, select appropriate crops, and manage heat and occasional cold snaps.

Central Florida fall gardening thrives in this subtropical environment, allowing gardeners to extend their season with Zone 9b fall crops. Central Florida fall gardening is particularly rewarding for Zone 9b gardeners.

Benefits of Fall Vegetable Planting

Milder Temperatures: Cooler fall weather reduces stress on Zone 9b fall crops, promoting healthy growth.
Lower Pest Pressure: Fewer insects compared to summer make autumn gardening in Central Florida easier.
Extended Growing Season: Zone 9b’s mild winters allow some crops to grow through February.

For more on optimizing your garden, check our companion planting guide to pair crops effectively.

Best Vegetables for Central Florida Fall: Planting List

Fall vegetable planting in Central Florida requires choosing crops suited to Zone 9b’s climate. Below is a curated list of the best vegetables for Central Florida fall, based on UF/IFAS data, with planting dates, days to harvest, and square-foot gardening recommendations. For quality seeds and starts, visit Lukas Nursery in Oviedo, a trusted local resource for autumn gardening in Central Florida. These warm-season options are perfect for Central Florida fall gardening, providing quick harvests before cooler weather sets in. These are the best options for Central Florida fall gardening.

Warm-Season Crops for Central Florida Fall Gardening

Warm-season crops are ideal for Central Florida fall gardening.

Beans (Bush)
- Planting Dates: Aug–Sept
- Days to Harvest: 45–60
- Square-Foot Planting: 30–60 plants per 10 ft
- Tips: Bush beans mature early and do not need staking. Fertilize at 1/2 the rate used for other vegetables; too much nitrogen limits production. Flowers self-pollinate. Plant rust-resistant varieties.
Beans (Pole)
- Planting Dates: Aug–Sept
- Days to Harvest: 50–70
- Square-Foot Planting: 24–40 plants per 10 ft
- Tips: Fertilize at 1/2 the rate used for other vegetables; too much nitrogen limits production. Support vines. May be grown with corn for vine support. Plant rust-resistant varieties.
Beans (Lima)
- Planting Dates: Aug–Sept
- Days to Harvest: 60–80
- Square-Foot Planting: 20–40 plants per 10 ft
- Tips: Pole and bush-types exist; provide trellis support for pole-type varieties. Control stinkbugs that injure pods. Fertilize at 1/2 the rate used for other vegetables; too much nitrogen limits production. Slightly more heat tolerant than bush or pole beans. Plant rust-resistant varieties.

More Warm-Season Zone 9b Fall Crops

Cantaloupe
- Planting Dates: Aug
- Days to Harvest: 80–100
- Square-Foot Planting: 3–4 plants per 10 ft
- Tips: Cantaloupes are heat-loving. Use black plastic mulch to speed soil warming and to keep developing fruit clean. For large, well-formed fruit, side-dress with fertilizer when vines start to run. Harvest when the melon slips easily from the vine with slight pressure. No need to over-water; too much water (or rain) just before harvest will cause the fruit to split. Plant disease-resistant varieties. (From Table 2)
Cucumbers
- Planting Dates: Aug–Sept
- Days to Harvest: 50–70
- Square-Foot Planting: 4–5 plants per 10 ft
- Tips: Use trellises to save space. Protect from heat with shade cloths.
Eggplant
- Planting Dates: Aug
- Days to Harvest: 80–90
- Square-Foot Planting: 5–6 plants per 10 ft
- Tips: Harvest when skin is still glossy for best flavor and quality. Eggplants may be purple, green, white, or striped, and long and thin or rounded. All need lots of water. Eggplants are related to tomatoes and are susceptible to many of the same insects and diseases. (From Table 2)
Okra
- Planting Dates: Aug–Sept
- Days to Harvest: 55–65
- Square-Foot Planting: 10–20 plants per 10 ft
- Tips: Harvest frequently when the pods are young and tender (2–3 inches long). Pods become woody and tough with age. Plants may easily reach 6 feet tall; stake if needed. (From Table 2)
Peppers
- Planting Dates: Aug
- Days to Harvest: 70–90
- Square-Foot Planting: 5–8 plants per 10 ft
- Tips: Sweet peppers include bell, banana, and pimiento types. Hot peppers include cayenne, jalapeño, and other hot types. Plant disease-resistant varieties. (From Table 2)
Squash
- Planting Dates: Sept
- Days to Harvest: 50–60
- Square-Foot Planting: 3–5 plants per 10 ft
- Tips: Harvest frequently when the fruit is small to encourage production. Both summer (yellow, patty pan, zucchini) and winter (butternut, acorn, spaghetti) squash varieties are available. (From Table 2)
Tomatoes
- Planting Dates: Aug
- Days to Harvest: 70–90
- Square-Foot Planting: 5 plants per 10 ft
- Tips: Start seeds indoors in August and transplant in September for best results. Use stakes or cages to support plants. Prune suckers for better yields. Plant disease-resistant varieties.

Cool-season crops thrive in autumn gardening Central Florida.

Cool-season vegetables are the stars of Central Florida fall gardening, offering nutrient-rich yields through the mild winter.

Arugula
- Planting Dates: Sept–Mar
- Days to Harvest: 35–60
- Square-Foot Planting: 30–40 plants per 10 ft
- Tips: Plant at 2–3 week intervals for continual harvest. Harvest individual leaves or entire plant when 8–10 inches tall. High temperatures cause bitterness.
Beets
- Planting Dates: Sept–Feb
- Days to Harvest: 50–70
- Square-Foot Planting: 30–60 plants per 10 ft
- Tips: Require ample moisture at seeding. Leaves are edible. Thin early for root enlargement. Very cold tolerant. High in vitamins and iron.
Broccoli
- Planting Dates: Sept–Feb
- Days to Harvest: 75–90 (50–70 from transplants)
- Square-Foot Planting: 8–12 plants per 10 ft
- Tips: Harvest before flowers open. Side shoots develop after main head is cut. Very cold hardy and nutritious.
Brussels Sprouts
- Planting Dates: Sept–Feb
- Days to Harvest: 90–120 (70–90 from transplants)
- Square-Foot Planting: 5–7 plants per 10 ft
- Tips: Cool weather required for solid sprouts. Pick walnut-sized sprouts from bottom up. Pull leaves below mature sprouts.
Cabbage
- Planting Dates: Sept–Feb
- Days to Harvest: 85–110 (70–90 from transplants)
- Square-Foot Planting: 8–13 plants per 10 ft
- Tips: High in vitamin C. Buy clean plants to avoid black-rot. Needs ample moisture and fertilizer. Frost tolerant.

Additional Cool-Season Zone 9b Fall Crops

Carrots
- Planting Dates: Aug–Mar
- Days to Harvest: 70–120
- Square-Foot Planting: 40–120 plants per 10 ft
- Tips: Grow on raised beds. Sow shallowly, slow germination. Keep moist.
Cauliflower
- Planting Dates: Sept–Feb
- Days to Harvest: 80–100 (50–80 from transplants)
- Square-Foot Planting: 8–12 plants per 10 ft
- Tips: Tie leaves around heads when they are 4–5 inches in diameter to prevent discoloration. Heads will be ready to harvest 7–12 days later. (From Table 2)
Celery
- Planting Dates: Sept–Feb
- Days to Harvest: 110–130 (80–105 from transplants)
- Square-Foot Planting: 10–20 plants per 10 ft
- Tips: Difficult to grow. Needs very uniform moisture or plants will be small and woody with strong off-flavors. Very sensitive to cold. (From Table 2)
Chinese Cabbage
- Planting Dates: Sept–Mar
- Days to Harvest: 70–90
- Square-Foot Planting: 10–20 plants per 10 ft
- Tips: Use young in salads or stir fry. High in vitamin A. Easy to grow. (From Table 2)
Collards
- Planting Dates: Aug–Mar
- Days to Harvest: 55–85 (45–75 from transplants)
- Square-Foot Planting: 5–7 plants per 10 ft
- Tips: Harvest individual lower leaves or entire plant. Cold hardy. High in vitamins. (From Table 2)
Endive/Escarole
- Planting Dates: Sept–Feb
- Days to Harvest: 85–100 (45–70 from transplants)
- Square-Foot Planting: 10–20 plants per 10 ft
- Tips: Use young in salads. Tie outer leaves to blanch heart leaves when plants are 10–12 inches tall. Harvest 2–3 weeks later. (From Table 2)
Kale
- Planting Dates: Sept–Mar
- Days to Harvest: 55–80 (40–60 from transplants)
- Square-Foot Planting: 5–7 plants per 10 ft
- Tips: Harvest individual lower leaves. Extremely cold hardy. Ornamental varieties are edible. High in vitamins. (From Table 2)
Kohlrabi
- Planting Dates: Sept–Mar
- Days to Harvest: 55–75 (45–60 from transplants)
- Square-Foot Planting: 20–30 plants per 10 ft
- Tips: The edible portion is the swollen stem. Use fresh or cooked. Harvest when 2–3 inches in diameter; larger bulbs become woody. (From Table 2)
Lettuce
- Planting Dates: Sept–Mar
- Days to Harvest: 60–85 (40–70 from transplants)
- Square-Foot Planting: 15–20 plants per 10 ft
- Tips: Easy to grow. Lettuce varieties include romaine, butterhead, leaf, and crisphead (Iceberg, the most common but hardest to grow). Crisphead types often develop bitter flavor and disease problems in Florida’s heat. (From Table 2)
Mustard
- Planting Dates: Sept–Mar
- Days to Harvest: 40–60
- Square-Foot Planting: 15–25 plants per 10 ft
- Tips: Harvest lower leaves individually or the entire plant. Easy to grow. High in vitamins. (From Table 2)
Onions (Bulbing)
- Planting Dates: Sept–Dec
- Days to Harvest: 100–130 (80–110 from transplants)
- Square-Foot Planting: 40–100 plants per 10 ft
- Tips: Plant short-day varieties (e.g., Granex (yellow), Texas Grano (white)) for bulb onions. Plant in fall to early winter. (From Table 2)
Peas
- Planting Dates: Sept–Feb
- Days to Harvest: 55–80
- Square-Foot Planting: 100–150 plants per 10 ft
- Tips: Includes English, snow, and snap peas. Support vines with a trellis. (From Table 2)
Radish
- Planting Dates: Aug–Mar
- Days to Harvest: 25–45
- Square-Foot Planting: 120 plants per 10 ft
- Tips: Easy and fast-growing. Harvest promptly or roots will become “hot” and woody. (From Table 2)
Spinach
- Planting Dates: Sept–Mar
- Days to Harvest: 40–60
- Square-Foot Planting: 20–40 plants per 10 ft
- Tips: Harvest individual leaves or entire plant. High in vitamins and iron. (From Table 2)
Strawberry
- Planting Dates: Sept–Nov
- Days to Harvest: 110–120
- Square-Foot Planting: 10–20 plants per 10 ft
- Tips: Plant in fall for winter/spring harvest. Use raised beds with mulch. (From Table 2)
Swiss Chard
- Planting Dates: Sept–May
- Days to Harvest: 40–60
- Square-Foot Planting: 10–20 plants per 10 ft
- Tips: Harvest outer leaves. Tolerant of hot weather. Ornamental varieties are edible. High in vitamins. (From Table 2)
Turnips
- Planting Dates: Sept–Feb
- Days to Harvest: 50–60
- Square-Foot Planting: 25–50 plants per 10 ft
- Tips: Harvest when roots are 2–3 inches in diameter. Leaves are edible. (From Table 2)

For a visual planting schedule, see our Zone 9b planting calendar..

Tips for Successful Central Florida Fall Gardening

To maximize your autumn gardening in Central Florida, follow these research-backed strategies. For example, proper preparation can make all the difference.

Soil Preparation for Central Florida Fall Gardening

Test your soil’s pH (ideal: 6.0–7.0) using a kit from your local extension office. Additionally, Central Florida’s sandy soils often need organic matter like compost to retain moisture. For detailed advice, explore our soil preparation guide.

Heat and Cold Management for Autumn Gardening Central Florida

September’s lingering heat (up to 90°F) can stress Zone 9b fall crops like tomatoes. Therefore, use shade cloths to protect young plants. However, rare cold snaps (lows around 20°F) may require row covers for tender crops like lettuce. Monitor forecasts closely.

Pest and Disease Control in Fall Vegetable Planting Central Florida

Fall vegetable planting in Central Florida faces fewer pests, but aphids and caterpillars can still appear. For instance, use neem oil or introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs. Rotate crops annually to prevent soil-borne diseases, as outlined in our crop rotation guide.

Watering and Mulching for Zone 9b Fall Crops

Water consistently, as sandy soils drain quickly. Apply 1–2 inches of water weekly, adjusting for rainfall. Additionally, mulch with straw or pine bark to retain moisture and reduce weeds.

Planting Timeline Visualization for Zone 9b Fall Crops

Below is a chart showing the planting windows for key Zone 9b fall crops, making it easy to plan your Central Florida fall gardening.

Alt: Zone 9b fall crops planting timeline for Central Florida fall gardening

Conclusion

Central Florida fall gardening offers a rewarding opportunity to grow the best vegetables for Central Florida fall, from broccoli to bush beans. By preparing your soil, choosing the right Zone 9b fall crops, and following these tips, you’ll enjoy a productive harvest. Start your autumn gardening in Central Florida today, and share your success with us at Garrison Realty Group! Fall vegetable planting in Central Florida is simpler with these tips.