Warm-Season Vegetable

When to Plant Tomatoes in Florida

America's favorite garden vegetable (technically a fruit). Nothing beats a sun-warmed tomato straight off the vine.

The Short Answer

Florida tomato growing turns the national calendar upside down. While the rest of the country plants in spring, North Florida's best tomato season is late winter through spring, and South Florida grows tomatoes almost exclusively in the cooler months from October through March. Summer heat, humidity, and disease pressure make warm-season tomato growing nearly impossible south of Orlando. Florida is the nation's largest commercial tomato producer for a reason — the winter growing conditions are exceptional.

Florida Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of Florida you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
North Florida 8a, 8b, 9a Feb 15 - Mar 10 Nov 15 - Dec 10
Central Florida 9a, 9b, 10a Jan 15 - Feb 10 Dec 10 - Jan 5
South Florida 10a, 10b, 11a Rare Rare

Tomatoes Planting Schedule for Florida

North Florida (Zones 8a, 8b, 9a)

Average last frost: Feb 15 - Mar 10 · Average first frost: Nov 15 - Dec 10

Start Seeds Indoors
6 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks after frost
Direct Sow
2 wks after frost

Central Florida (Zones 9a, 9b, 10a)

Average last frost: Jan 15 - Feb 10 · Average first frost: Dec 10 - Jan 5

Start Seeds Indoors
6 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks after frost
Direct Sow
2 wks after frost

South Florida (Zones 10a, 10b, 11a)

Average last frost: Rare · Average first frost: Rare

Start Seeds Indoors
6 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks after frost
Direct Sow
2 wks after frost

Growing Tomatoes in Florida

State-Specific Growing Tips

In North Florida (Zones 8a-9a), transplant tomatoes in mid-February through early March for spring harvest, and again in August for a fall crop. Central Florida (Zones 9a-10a) gardeners should transplant in January through February. South Florida (Zones 10a-10b) treats tomatoes as a winter crop entirely — transplant from October through January. Florida's sandy soils drain too fast and hold almost no nutrients. Build your soil with heavy compost amendment and plan to fertilize regularly throughout the season. Mulch is critical to retain the moisture that sandy soil releases so quickly.

Recommended Varieties for Florida

Florida requires disease-resistant varieties — the state's humidity breeds every fungal disease in the book. Look for varieties with VFN resistance codes. Bella Rosa, Solar Fire, and Tasti-Lee were developed specifically for Florida conditions. For heirlooms, try Everglades (a wild-type cherry that shrugs off Florida's diseases) and Cherokee Purple (more disease-tolerant than most heirlooms). UF/IFAS Extension publishes a Florida-specific recommended variety list that's updated annually — it's the single best resource for Florida tomato growers.

Common Challenges in Florida

Bacterial wilt, early blight, late blight, and Fusarium wilt are all common in Florida's humid conditions. Nematodes are a serious soil pest in Florida's sandy soils — plant marigolds as a cover crop, rotate tomato locations annually, and consider grafted tomato plants (disease-resistant rootstock with heirloom tops). Whiteflies transmit tomato yellow leaf curl virus, which can devastate crops. Afternoon thunderstorms provide moisture but also spread disease — water at the base, never overhead.

Growing Tips

Pinch off suckers for indeterminate varieties. Stake or cage for best results. Water at the base, not overhead, to prevent blight.

Companion Planting

Plant tomatoes alongside these companions for better growth:

Basil Carrots Peppers Marigolds

Keep tomatoes away from:

Brassicas Fennel Dill

The Bottom Line

Tomatoes can be grown successfully in Florida with proper attention to regional frost dates and local growing conditions. Timing varies across the state — North Florida gardeners work with a last frost around Feb 15 - Mar 10, while South Florida sees frost end around Rare. Choose varieties suited to your region, amend your soil based on its specific needs, and monitor for the pests and diseases most common in your area. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Related Guides

Tomatoes Growing Guide National planting guide with all states Florida Planting Calendar All plants for Florida Tomatoes in Alabama Alabama planting dates Tomatoes in Alaska Alaska planting dates Tomatoes in Arizona Arizona planting dates Tomatoes in Arkansas Arkansas planting dates
Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026

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