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.

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