This post may contain affiliate links. Read full disclosure here.
Gardening in Florida’s summer is always an adventure. After years of trial and error, I’ve picked up a few valuable lessons that have helped me figure out what thrives and what struggles in my Florida summer garden. As I look back on last year’s garden, I’m ready to share what went well, what didn’t, and how I’m planning to improve for the next season. Let’s dig in!
Reflections on Last Year’s Harvest
Last summer, I grew a mix of heat-tolerant greens like Jericho, Chijimisai, and Tokyo Bekana. Out of these, Tokyo Bekana really stood out. It grew better than the others, though it didn’t last through the entire summer. It’s a great option for early summer, but when the heat ramps up, it tends to fizzle out.
This year, I’m switching things up and adding Ethiopian Kale and Red Malabar Spinach into the mix. Both are known for the ability to handle Florida’s summer heat while also being tasty, so I’m hopeful it’ll fill the gap that Tokyo Bekana couldn’t.
I also ventured indoors last year with some hydroponic growing using the AeroGarden Farm and my old favorite, the AeroGarden Harvest. It was an experiment with two new Romaine varieties, Gladius and Chicharita, both bred specifically for hydroponic growing. Growing indoors kept my lettuce thriving long past the outdoor season, and I was able to enjoy fresh greens even as the summer heat took over outside.
Squash: The Hits and Misses
Squash has always been a staple in my Florida summer garden, but not all varieties handled the Florida heat the same. Last year, I tried several: Seminole Pumpkin, Early Prolific Straightneck Squash, Early White Bush Scallop, and the real star of the season, Burgess Buttercup Squash. Burgess Buttercup blew me away with its sweet, rich flavor and thick rind, which gave it an incredible storage life. It held up better than I expected in the heat and gave me a fantastic harvest.
Looking ahead, I’m shaking things up a bit with new varieties like Tromboncino and Butter Baby. I’m also excited to try a heat-tolerant Patty Pan Summer Squash. Patty Pan is known for withstanding high temperatures, so I’m curious to see how it compares to my old favorites in both flavor and texture.
Bean Bonanza
Beans are a Florida summer garden favorite, and I always end up planting more than I need. Last year, I grew Puerto Rican Black Beans, Adzuki Beans, Mayflower Beans, and Texas Cream Cowpeas. While the harvests were abundant, I ran into the classic problem of growing too much for my garden space.
This year, I’m scaling back and being more selective. I’m focusing on three varieties: Whippoorwill Cowpea, Thai Soldier Bean, and Jackson Wonder Lima Bean. These varieties should keep the garden productive without overwhelming me with excess beans, and I’ll have more room to experiment with other crops.
Pepper Passion
Hot peppers had a great run last year. I grew jalapeños, Anaheim Chili Peppers, and sweet peppers like Cubanelle and California Wonder. The spicy varieties did well, but this year I’m shifting my focus toward sweet peppers. I’ve got high hopes for Pimento, YOLO Sweet Pepper, Red Cherry Peppers, Lesya, Chocolate Beauty Bell Pepper, and even Paprika Peppers.
Sweet peppers tend to thrive in the heat if you give them the right care, and I’m excited to see how these varieties perform. Paprika peppers, in particular, are new to my garden, and I’m curious to see if they live up to their reputation as a great option for homemade dried spice.
Herbs, Flowers, and Beyond
Herbs have been an essential part of my garden, and last year’s success with Basil and German Chamomile was especially rewarding. Chamomile made for some fantastic homemade tea, which became my go-to for winding down in the evenings. This year, I’m introducing Green Sorel alongside Red Vein Sorel. Both are great greens that add a tangy flavor to salads and soups.
On the flower front, I’m expanding the lineup with blooms like Calendula, Coreopsis, Alaskan Salmon Nasturtium, Giant Zinnia, Copper Red Straw Flowers, and Orange Hawaiian Marigolds. These not only add beauty to the garden but also attract pollinators and beneficial insects that keep everything in balance.
Lessons from My Experiments
Gardening is all about experimenting, and not everything worked out as I had hoped. Last year, I had mixed results with crops like 42 Day Tomato, Icebox Watermelon, and Kuroda Carrot. While some of these crops didn’t quite thrive in the heat, I found success with Long Grain Rice, which adapted better to Florida’s climate than I expected. Growing rice was a fun challenge, and I learned a lot about how to care for it in the humid, hot summer months.
Venturing into the Uncommon
This summer, I’m branching out into some more uncommon crops. Roselle is high on my list—I’m expanding my cultivation of this versatile plant for its many benefits, including its use in teas, sauces, and even as a natural dye.
I’m also taking a chance on Luffa. While most people think of Luffa as just a natural sponge, you can harvest the young fruits and use them like zucchini. Plus, I’m hoping to end up with a few Luffa sponges for bath use once the fruit matures!
Enhancing Soil Health with Sun Hemp
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of soil health, especially when gardening in Florida’s challenging climate. To give my soil a boost during the summer, I’ve embraced cover cropping with Sun Hemp. This heat-loving plant does double duty: it fixes nitrogen in the soil and adds a ton of organic material when I chop it down at the end of the season.
Sun Hemp is a great way to prevent soil erosion during the hot, rainy months while also enriching the soil for future plantings. It’s a sustainable, easy way to ensure the long-term health of my Florida summer garden, and I’ve seen the benefits firsthand.
Lessons for the Upcoming Season
Gardening in Florida during the summer can be tough, but every year I learn a little more about what works and what doesn’t. By reflecting on last year’s successes and failures, I’m adjusting my plans to make this year even better. From adding new varieties like Ethiopian kale and Patty Pan squash to expanding my indoor growing and cover cropping efforts, I’m excited to see how this season unfolds. Here’s to another year of trial, error, and plenty of fresh produce. Happy gardening!
