Florida gardeners, your sunny yards offer fantastic opportunities to grow delicious, quick-harvest veggies perfect for our warm climate. Here’s a detailed list to get your summer garden thriving:

1. Radishes (Harvest: 25-30 days)

Radishes are an excellent crop for Florida’s mild winters and early springs. Plant them early to avoid the intense summer heat, using succession planting every two weeks for continuous harvests. “Radishes thrive in cooler temperatures, so timing your planting correctly ensures success,” notes the University of Florida IFAS Extension.

Learn more about radish planting from UF IFAS

2. Okra (Harvest: 50-60 days)

Okra loves the Florida heat, making it an ideal choice for summer gardens. It’s drought-resistant, grows quickly, and produces abundantly. Clemson Spineless and Jambalaya varieties perform exceptionally well in our humid climate. Harvest regularly to encourage continuous production.

Okra growing guide from Gardening Solutions.

3. Zucchini (Harvest: 45-55 days)

Zucchini is a versatile vegetable and prolific grower in Florida’s summer. Plant in full sun with ample space or consider vertical gardening methods to save space and improve airflow, minimizing common humidity-related diseases.

4. Yardlong Beans (Harvest: 60-70 days)

Also known as asparagus beans, these beans are heat-tolerant and thrive in Florida’s humid summer conditions. Provide a sturdy trellis to maximize yield and ease of harvest. Regular picking encourages continued productivity throughout the season.

5. Malabar Spinach (Harvest: 50-60 days)

Malabar spinach is a heat-tolerant leafy green perfect for Florida summers. Its vine-like growth is ideal for trellises or vertical gardens. Harvest leaves regularly for salads or cooking, which promotes continual leaf growth.

Malabar spinach planting guide.