Heirloom tomatoes in central Florida

15 years ago

I've just moved to central Florida. (can't figure how to change my user name - there's an edit function for everything else!?)

Anyway, I have just recently begun to grow heirloom tomatoes, and I love them! Now, I have a growing season issue. Florida gardens tend to be "done" by the end of June, but beyond that, I expect to be travelling in the summer. So, I need to know what are good tomatoes that will produce for me in the window of March 1 - Jun 15, or Sep 1 to whenever the first freeze comes (average Dec 15, but was mid Oct this year!!). The issue with the Fall planting also includes the fact that the days are getting shorter very rapidly, and the plants will slow down.

My favorites from Nevada were Kellogs Breakfast, Brandywine, Cherokee Purple, and Prudens Purple. Now, I only had 2 seasons of testing heirlooms, so I know there are a lot of possibilities. What I like in a tomato is that it's meaty, not too pulpy, and has tang and aroma along with the sweetness.

I'd love to hear what your advice is! Thanks, and good gardening!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

tamrootbeer
15 years ago
Hi Eileen,
As to username...I don't think you can change them once chosen...though you could change your zone (which follows your username) to something like:

eileen_nv Now In Central FLA Zone 9

As for the tomotoes...I have Cherokee Purples ripening now. Tiny Lemon Drops have been fruiting since November. Both are heirloom varieties. Actually, pretty much any tomato you want to grow in Florida will do well. And don't let the Month of the Year stop you. As with this year, we've only had frost 2 times...very lightly...so the growing season has not been interrupted. The only time I can't garden real well is July - September.

Where are you in Central Fl?
simmran1
15 years ago
At the very top of the ivillage page Welcome! your profile or Logout. You can edit your profile as to location, zone etc.
[done by the end of June][March 1 to June 15th]
Cherokee Purple is going to be a big problem with your schedule. You're going to have to go with some earlies. A three month window. Oregon Spring, Siletz; I don't know maybe find some Bonny Plants in big pots at your Lowes?
Related Discussions
Recommended tomato varieties for Central Florida
Q
Comments (23)
long time, no post. glad to see many familiar names in the post. as this is a topic near and dear, my two cents: i plant different varieties every year, though i have a few favorites (tomande, sungold, juliet in constant rotation). i shop for varieties as follows: only hybrids, only tomato varieties with several resistances (VFN at a minimum). only medium-bodied tomatoes, which set better and produce better here in fla. and only mid-season tomatoes, as they split the difference in terms of flavor and maturity date. i also always plant several cherry (small-bodied) tomatoes to extend my season. tomato growers supply is the best source for seeds i've found. generally, i don't worry too much about fertilizing &c. 10-10-10 and lots of compost. nor do i ever spray anything more than insecticidal soap and some copper. my season here in deland runs from late-april to mid-july, though this year things are really delayed. when the tomatoes get too diseased or buggy, i rip them out and eat eggplants and okra instead... Here is a link that might be useful: some tomatoes...
...See More
Anyone Know Where to Buy Heirloom Tomato Plants Central/South NJ?
Q
Comments (11)
Cross County is a positively fabulous place for heirloom tomatoes (and peppers!) - my first few years, I would actually visit when they first opened up each April to the public - but as someone has mentioned above, they would sometime's already be sold out of certain varieties. These past few years, I place orders on-line in January, so I can be guaranteed that I'll get what I want. . .and with gas prices now, postage will be cheaper! Besides, the actual "farm" might be a disappointment to most: it consists of several "hoop houses", an office and a Port-a-Potty, all sitting in a pasture. . .their web-site, however, is dynamite. . . Here is a link that might be useful: Cross County Nurseries
...See More
A Central Florida tomato story...
Q
Comments (76)
Hi Silvia, maybe they're kind words but you make it easy, over a Sungold Caprese salad LOL. The thread got so big, I'm reading it in pieces so forgive me if I say something you've covered. To tell the truth, I just keep coming back to look at the pictures ;-) When/how are you going to pull your plants this year? Do you take them to the end, or as you say force a break to lessen carrying any disease (and I say enjoying Christmas). I think we're going to have an early frost this year since that's the way it's been going. It'll definitely get us up here, but hopefully you'll be insulated around 3 hours to the south. Three hours, hmmm. If things work out I might just crash your April party! I'm actually going to try the mix with spinosad and neem, because you suggested it... The spinosad alone is worthless but I've never used neem, and need to look more into it, since it gets such good reviews. I have a highly refined horticultural oil called Sunspray that I've used for mites successfully which may be an ok swap, so I'll read up on the difference to be sure. I started keeping single vines, and you're right about that. At this point, I am letting the plants put out everything they can. It's not because I am happy with that, only because every single flower counts here and pruning and waiting as the Sun falls further won't get a few last clusters in. So it used to single but now they are an intertwined mess with lots of yellow ;-) October was a great month in general as it always is, but the party will be over as quickly as it started. September was a total rainout which delayed everything and why transplant date was Oct 3. Hi labs ! Yes a sort of summer fabric would be just what the doctor ordered. Sounds like a project for next year spring/summer. But for extending the season, the plants now couldn't take the hit in loss of light. Sometimes I think I should just get a grow room inside the house with silver wallpaper and a huge electric bill :-( Cheers! PC EDIT... about Citrus, nope that's not our source here but I bet it is a big deal around Indian River... we're too far north except for an ocassional pet tree in the yard for fun. There are two trees within 500 feet and later I'm going to sneak a look at them both just for fun. Better not to ask, since it might not go over well, if I say can I inspect your lemon and orange tree for leafminers I have on my tomatoes ;-)))) This post was edited by PupillaCharites on Wed, Nov 12, 14 at 11:58
...See More
What heirloom tomatoes to plant in Central Florida?
Q
Comments (5)
Not a Florida grower so not sure how much help this will be but from reading all the past discussions here (search 'Florida') on growing tomatoes there it seems the planting time is what is crucial, not the variety. In other words you can grow just about any kind you want if you get them planted out by late February to early March to beat the onset of the heat. It appears from what the other Florida growers have said that middle to late May puts an end to your production if the weather follows its normal patterns. Then you have a second fall growing season starting in September. In that season it seems to be the so-called "early" varieties (60 day) that work the best. Have to talked with your local county extension service about planting times? They can be a wealth of info on both when to plant and which ones work best. And check out the Florida Gardening forum here too for info on which varieties grow best for your neighbors. They have lots of tomato discussions going over there. I linked one past discussion from here below that offers some variety suggestions. Dave Here is a link that might be useful: Choosing Tomatoes for Florida
...See More
digdirt2
15 years ago
The link below is to the many discussions on how to grow tomatoes in Florida from over on the Florida Gardening forum here at GW. Should be of help to you.

It seems the hardest thing to learn for new residents is proper planting times as they are very different from what you might be used to in the past. ;) Heirlooms or hybrids - makes no difference.

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: Growing tomatoes in Florida
doodledogie_yahoo_com
14 years ago
So I am in the process of moving to FL -- and have decided it is ablessing that I will not arrive till Oct probably.
I hate humidity!!! LOL
Now I will be starting out in an Appt -- so I need to do containers -- please explain further the benefits of double potting. Also glad you said not to try to make the sand into Northern soil -- I most certainly would have I am afraid.
Where is the best place to find local veges in the Largo FL area??
Do I need to use extra large planters -- since appently plants grow much larger there!!

Thanks

Karen
a_micklos
8 years ago
The only way I grow tomatoes is in containers. I have been gardening in central Florida just north of tampa for many years and Nematodes are the biggest single problem with tomatoes. Container growing solves that if you don't put the pot directly on the ground. The best varieties for this area, spring and fall are any cherry type and best boy and better boy. There are other types like Homestead and mortgage saver but they don't get as large as the better line and the plants grow better in reduced light.
smoopettes3
6 years ago
I witnessed an old greek neighbor grow 10 tomato plants in 5 gal. Containers in the dead of summer averaging 5-6' that were literally bursting with fruit.his secret...they were on the north side of the house and only got indirect light reflected off of the white stucco of my house.

Heirloom tomatoes in central Florida

Comments (6)

tamrootbeer

simmran1

Related Discussions

digdirt2

doodledogie_yahoo_com

a_micklos

smoopettes3

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US