Swiss chard
Cool Weather Gardening in Northwest Florida
by Morgan Cole
W
hen we think of gardening, we almost always think of spring, but did you know that here in Northwest Florida, the winter months are also the perfect time for growing your own vegetables and herbs? In fact, cool weather gardening can be just as productive as, gardening in the spring. If you’re new to gardening, the winter months serve as the ideal time to get a little dirt on your hands and learn to grow.
“You don’t have to wait until spring to have tasty, fresh and nutritious home-grown vegetables and herbs,” Renee Perry, co-owner of East Hill Edible Gardening said. Perry explained that cooler temperatures can actually bring a diverse selection of vegetables to choose from. She recommends trying your hand at varieties of brassicas like broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage. There are also a number of herbs that do well in cooler weather along the Gulf Coast including cilantro, parsley and dill.
“A lot of people think you can’t grow cilantro here, but that’s because of their timing when they’ve tried to grow it. It actually does best when the weather is cooler and it can also withstand some freezing temperatures,” Perry explained. According to the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension in Santa Rosa County, legumes such as English peas and fava beans also do well in cooler temperatures. “Irish potatoes are another edible crop that can be planted right now,” Residential Horticulture Agent & Master Gardener Coordinator for the Santa Rosa County UF/IFAS Extension, Joshua Criss said. “Another vegetable that can be planted now is Brussels sprouts. Some of the more Florida-friendly varieties are Jade Cross and Long Island Improved.” Brussels sprouts can take up to 140 days to mature and don’t like overly warm weather, so winter temperatures in Northwest Florida can provide ideal conditions for growing fresh Brussels sprouts. Perry explained that edible bulbs such as onions, garlic and leeks; salad greens like lettuces and
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