Plant tomatoes in Florida between late August and early March, depending on which part of the state you live in and whether you want a spring or fall harvest

Florida's warm climate means you can grow tomatoes twice a year — something gardeners in colder states cannot do. The catch is that Florida's summer heat and humidity create conditions tomatoes hate: temperatures above 90°F cause flowers to drop before they set fruit, and the wet season brings fungal diseases. So instead of planting in spring like most of the country, Florida gardeners plant in fall (August through October) for a winter harvest, or in late winter (January through March) for a spring harvest. The exact timing depends on whether you live in North Florida, Central Florida, or South Florida, because frost dates and heat patterns differ across the state.

Key Takeaways

  • North Florida gardeners should plant in late August or early September for fall tomatoes, or in late February or early March for spring tomatoes.
  • Central Florida's planting window is mid-August to early September for fall crops, and mid-February to mid-March for spring crops.
  • South Florida can plant as early as July for fall harvest, or as late as March for spring harvest, because frost rarely occurs.
  • Tomatoes planted during Florida's summer months (May through July) will flower during peak heat and humidity, causing fruit set to fail almost entirely.
  • Transplants (seedlings started indoors) are faster and more reliable than seeds, especially for spring planting when you have less time before heat arrives.

North Florida Planting Dates

North Florida includes Jacksonville, Gainesville, and the Panhandle. This region has the most traditional growing season of any part of the state, with actual winter frost. Plant tomato transplants in late August or early September for a fall and early winter harvest — you want fruit to mature before the first frost, which typically arrives in late November or early December. Harvest continues through December if you choose cold-hardy varieties.

For spring tomatoes, plant in late February or early March. This gives seedlings time to grow and flower before May heat shuts down fruit production. Planting any later than early March means your tomatoes will flower during the hottest part of spring, and you will lose most of the flowers to heat stress. North Florida's spring window is shorter than other regions because summer heat arrives earlier relative to the frost date.

Central Florida Planting Dates

Central Florida — the area around Orlando, Tampa, and Lakeland — sits between North Florida's cooler winters and South Florida's tropical climate. Plant transplants in mid-August to early September for fall tomatoes. Frost in Central Florida is lighter and later than in the north, usually arriving in late December or January, so you have a longer harvest window than North Florida gardeners.

Spring planting runs from mid-February through mid-March. Central Florida's spring is slightly longer than North Florida's because frost risk drops earlier, but you still need to get transplants in the ground before late March to avoid planting during the heat surge. If you miss the mid-March window, wait until late July or early August to plant for fall harvest instead.

South Florida Planting Dates

South Florida — Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Naples, and the Keys — rarely experiences frost, so your constraints are heat and humidity, not cold. You can plant tomatoes as early as July for a fall harvest that runs through winter and into spring. July planting is risky because the summer heat and rain are intense, but many South Florida gardeners do it anyway because the payoff is tomatoes from October through April.

Spring planting in South Florida can stretch as late as March or even early April, because there is no frost important date. However, planting after mid-March means your tomatoes will flower during the hottest part of spring, so fruit set will be poor. Most South Florida gardeners focus on fall planting (July through September) and treat spring as a secondary season or skip it entirely.

Why Summer Planting Fails in Florida

Tomato flowers drop when nighttime temperatures stay above 75°F or daytime temperatures exceed 90°F for extended periods. In Florida, this happens reliably from May through September. If you plant seeds or transplants in May or June, they will grow vegetatively (leaves and stems) through the summer, but when they flower in July or August, the heat will cause the flowers to abort before fruit forms. You end up with a large plant and no tomatoes.

The same heat stress also makes the plant vulnerable to fungal diseases like early blight and septoria leaf spot, which thrive in Florida's humid summers. Even if some flowers set fruit, the fruit often cracks or develops sunscald in the intense afternoon sun. For these reasons, experienced Florida tomato growers straightforward do not plant during the summer months — they time their planting so flowering happens in cooler seasons.

Transplants Versus Seeds in Florida

Starting tomatoes from seed indoors works, but transplants (seedlings you buy from a nursery) are faster and more reliable, especially for spring planting. A transplant is already 6 to 8 weeks old when you plant it, so it flowers sooner. If you start from seed in January for spring planting, you may not have flowers until late April or May, when heat stress is already setting in. A transplant planted in late February flowers by late April, giving you a better chance at fruit before the heat arrives.

For fall planting, the timing is less tight, so seeds work well if you start them in June or early July indoors. By the time you transplant them outside in August or September, they are ready to flower in the cooler months ahead. Many Florida gardeners buy transplants for spring (the tight window) and start seeds for fall (the longer window).

Variety Matters: Heat-Tolerant and Disease-Resistant Types

Not all tomato varieties perform equally in Florida. Cherry tomatoes like 'Sungold' and 'Black Cherry' tolerate heat better than large slicing tomatoes and often set fruit even during warm spells. Paste tomatoes like 'San Marzano' are more heat-sensitive. For disease resistance, look for varieties marked VF or VFN on the label — these resist verticillium wilt and fusarium wilt, both common in Florida soil. Heirloom varieties, while flavorful, are often poor choices for Florida because they lack disease resistance and heat tolerance.

Regional extension offices publish lists of recommended varieties for your area. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) maintains variety guides specific to North, Central, and South Florida. Checking these before you buy transplants or seeds saves you from planting varieties that will struggle in your region's specific conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I grow tomatoes year-round in South Florida?

No. Even in South Florida, tomatoes stop flowering reliably during the hottest months (June through August). You can grow them fall through spring, but summer planting will produce a plant with few or no fruits. Some gardeners use shade cloth or plant in containers they can move to shadier spots, but these are workarounds, not solutions.

What if I plant transplants too late and they flower during heat?

Most of the flowers will drop and you will get little to no fruit that season. You can try again by planting for the next season — either fall (if you missed spring) or spring (if you missed fall). Waiting and replanting is more reliable than trying to nurse a heat-stressed plant through the summer.

Do I need to start seeds indoors, or can I direct-sow in the garden?

Direct-sowing (planting seeds straight in the ground) works for fall planting because you have time for seeds to germinate and grow before flowering. For spring planting, transplants are much faster and more practical because your window is short. If you direct-sow in spring, seeds may not germinate quickly enough to flower before heat stress sets in.

What is the difference between a transplant and a seedling?

A seedling is a young plant grown from seed, usually indoors. A transplant is a seedling that is ready to move into the garden — typically 6 to 8 weeks old, with several true leaves and a sturdy stem. Nurseries sell transplants in small pots or cell packs. You can grow your own seedlings indoors and transplant them, or buy transplants ready to go.

Should I use a frost cloth if frost is predicted in my area?

Yes. In North and Central Florida, a lightweight frost cloth draped over plants the night before a frost can protect them from light freezes (down to about 28°F). For hard freezes below 28°F, frost cloth helps but may not save the plant. Frost cloth is most useful in late fall and early winter when you are trying to extend the harvest season.