(954) 434–0008Gardening is an excellent way to connect with nature, provide fresh produce for your household, and share your harvest with friends and neighbors. Here in Southwest Ranches, residents are fortunate to have suitable growing conditions for a variety of crops.
Getting Started
Selecting a Site for Your Vegetable Garden
Selecting the right location for your garden is an important step toward success. Choose an area that…
- Receives 6-8+ hours of sunlight
- Has good drainage
- Has good air movement
- Has no/low tree competition
- Is within easy walking distance
- Is near a water source
- With high soil quality (or with the ability to improve it)
If you don’t have an area with most of these qualities, then raised beds could be a good option for you. You’ll have more control over the drainage and soil quality.
Explore these helpful resources to learn more about beginning your gardening journey:
Vegetable Gardening in Florida Series
Getting Started with Your Vegetable Garden
Designing Your Vegetable Garden
A Beginner’s Guide to Starting a Florida Vegetable Garden (video)
Understand Your Environment
It’s best to know your growing season and which crops thrive where you live. Here in Southwest Ranches, we reside in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 10b.
Learn more about USDA Plant Hardiness Zones.
Our subtropical climate has 2 main gardening seasons:
- cool/dry season (fall/winter) → October through March/April
- focus is traditional vegetables and herbs
- warm/wet season (spring/summer) → March/April through September
- focus is tropical/heat-loving vegetables and fruit trees
Building Your Soil
Healthy gardens begin with healthy soil. Incorporate organic matter into your soil to create the best environment for your plants to grow. Learn more about Organic Soil Amendments.
Decide What to Grow
Now for the fun part… choose what you want to grow!
The easiest place to start is by simply asking yourself what you want to grow. Which produce do you buy frequently at the grocery store?
Check out these guides for what to plant month-by-month:
Fruits & Vegetables to Plant in January
Fruits & Vegetables to Plant in February
Fruits & Vegetables to Plant in March
Fruits & Vegetables to Plant in April
Fruits & Vegetables to Plant in May
Fruits & Vegetables to Plant in June
Fruits & Vegetables to Plant in July
Fruits & Vegetables to Plant in August
Fruits & Vegetables to Plant in September
Fruits & Vegetables to Plant in October
Fruits & Vegetables to Plant in November
Fruits & Vegetables to Plant in December
Watering Your Garden
Water your garden consistently. It’s best to water early in the morning to reduce evaporation and help prevent disease. Avoid watering right before or after rainfall. Explore these helpful resources about watering your garden and setting up irrigation systems.
Watering Your Vegetable Garden
Pest Management
You’ll encounter various pests as you garden. Thankfully, not all insects are harmful. By learning to identify beneficial insects and using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices, you can prevent many pest problems and minimize pesticide use.
Learn more about Integrated Pest Management.
Connect with other Gardeners
Connecting with the gardening community is a great way to expand your knowledge, meet experienced gardeners, and find a mentor. Consider joining the Rare Fruit and Vegetable Council (RFVC), which hosts regular meetings and educational events for gardeners of all expertise levels. Learn more about the RFVC.
The UF IFAS Master Gardener Volunteer Help Desk is also available to help answer your gardening questions. Reach them at 954-756-8533 or BrowardMG@ifas.ufl.edu.
Happy Gardening!
If you have any questions or concerns, the Agricultural Liaison can be reached at imcnulty@southwestranches.org or 954-358-2550.