Farming 4 All Learn to Grow Tomatoes the Florida Way 📍 Zone 9b–10a 🌞 Built for heat + humidity 🌱 Two growing seasons: Spring & Fall 🗓 January - February 🌱 SPRING TOMATO SEASON START SEEDS + PREP ✅ Start seeds indoors (optional) ✅ Order heat-tolerant varieties ✅ Prep beds and containers ✅ Add compost & soil amendments Goal: Strong seedlings ready for planting 🗓 March 🔥 BEST PLANTING WINDOW ✅ Transplant outdoors ✅ Install trellis or stakes ✅ Mulch heavy ✅ Water deeply in morning 🌡 Ideal conditions: Night temps above 50°F Soil temp 60°F+ 🗓 April 🌿 GROWTH + FLOWERS ✅ Rapid plant growth ✅ Flowers begin forming ✅ Start light feeding - weakly weekly ✅ Monitor pests Tip: Prune for airflow 🗓 May 🍅 FRUIT + HARVEST ✅ Tomatoes ripen ✅ Harvest regularly ✅ Maintain consistent watering ✅ Watch for heat stress Optional: Add shade cloth late month. 🗓 June ⚠️ SEASON WIND-DOWN ✅ Production slows ✅ Disease pressure rises ✅ Remove stressed plants ❌ Do NOT plant new tomatoes 🗓 July – August 🔥 SUMMER REST PERIOD 🚫 NO TOMATO PLANTING Florida summer causes: ❌ Flower drop ❌ Pest overload ❌ Disease outbreaks Instead: ✅ Solarize soil ✅ Sanitize containers ✅ Prep fall beds ✅ Start fall seeds indoors late August 🗓 September 🍁 FALL TOMATO SEASON (Bonus Harvest) 🌞 TRANSPLANT FALL TOMATOES ✅ Use heat-tolerant varieties ✅ Amend soil ✅ Mulch heavy ✅ Water deeply in morning 🗓 October ✅ Plant outdoors ✅ Start light feeding - weakly weekly ✅ Mulch heavily ✅ Install support ✅ Check for & remove caterpillars 🗓 October – December 🧺 FALL HARVEST ✅ Fertilize for maximum fruit production ✅ Harvest regularly ✅ Remove old plants ✅ Add compost 🌡 Temperature Cheat Guide ✅ Ideal Growing Temps Day: 70–85°F Night: Above 55°F ⚠️ Stress Zone Above 90°F = flower drop, pollen sterile = no fruit - use shade cloth to lower temperatures Below 50°F = slow growth - mulch heavy to keep roots warmer 📌 Florida Success Tips ✔ Always mulch ✔ Water early morning ✔ Use drip irrigation - avoid getting leaves wet ✔ Choose disease-resistant varieties

What are your favorite types of tomato varieties? 🍅 We grow about 6 different varieties each year. Usually an heirloom slicing variety, 2 Roma varieties, a patio variety, an Everglade cherry, and another type cherry. We grow mostly for our family and share the extras with friends, neighbors, & the local food bank.

Central Florida gardening is unique — our seasons, soil, and pests aren’t like anywhere else. Inside this group, we’ll focus on: - 🌱 Seasonal planting — what to grow and when - 🐛 Pest and soil solutions that work here - 🍅 Step-by-step food growing, starting with tomatoes - 🌿 Smart techniques for composting, watering, and tools - 🌼 Celebrating wins and learning from struggles 🎯 Our First Focus Together, we’re going to: - 🔥 Build confidence each season - 💬 Learn from each other’s successes and failures - 🌍 Explore eco-friendly, Florida-friendly gardening practices 📖 Next Step: Start with Tomatoes 🍅 If you’re new here, the best way to get started is with our book: 👉 How to Grow Tomatoes in Central Florida a step-by-step book designed just for our region. It’s the perfect foundation for your gardening journey and pairs with our upcoming course. Buy Now on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3zvsLQ7

👋 Welcome Farm Friends! This community exists to teach and support anyone who wants to grow food in Central Florida. Whether you’re starting with a single pot on the patio, just built your raised bed, or expanding into a backyard garden, you’re in the right place. 🌻 How to Join In 1️⃣ Say hello in the comments below 👋 2️⃣ Share what you’re growing and your city 3️⃣ Post a picture of your garden, harvest, or favorite food🌿 💚 Our Vision This isn’t just a group — it’s a learning space where tips turn into harvests, challenges become successes, and more food grows because we all grow together. So, let’s get growing! 🌱❤️

Time to plant your banana trees!