Now
28°C · Overcast
Today
30° / 25°
Soil 6 cm
29°C
First frost
Rare
Gardening in Fort Myers
AI field guide · refreshed weeklyFort Myers Garden Guide: Early Fall Planting Season
You're in zone 10b with virtually no frost risk—your last spring frost was 249 days ago (early April), and hard freezes are rare. Soil is still warm at 30°C (86°F), ideal for germination. September is your prime planting window: cool enough for seed germination, warm enough for rapid growth. By late October, night temps drop enough to trigger flowering in cool-season crops.
Sow outdoors now
Tomato (determinate varieties: 'Florida 91', 'Homestead 24')
Direct sow or transplant now for a fall crop; these heat-tolerant types set fruit before peak winter cold. Sow seeds 6 mm (¼ in) deep, thin to 60 cm (2 ft) spacing.
Pepper (bell and hot: 'Aji Amarillo', 'Serrano')
Sow seeds indoors this week for transplants in 6–8 weeks, or direct sow outdoors in seed trays. Peppers need warm soil (28–32°C / 82–90°F) to germinate reliably.
Leafy greens (lettuce, spinach, arugula, mizuna)
Sow directly outdoors in shallow drills 1 cm (½ in) deep; germination is fast in warm soil. Thin to 15–20 cm (6–8 in) spacing. Ready to harvest in 30–40 days.
Okra (Clemson Spineless, Emerald)
Sow seeds 2 cm (¾ in) deep directly in beds; okra thrives in heat and will produce until November. Space 45 cm (18 in) apart.
Beans (yard-long / asparagus bean: 'Mosaic')
Sow directly 2 cm (¾ in) deep along trellises; these heat-lovers produce prolifically through fall. Inoculate seeds with rhizobium if soil is new.
Start indoors now
Eggplant (Japanese and Italian: 'Orient Express', 'Ichiban')
Sow seeds indoors in seed trays; germinate at 25–28°C (77–82°F). Transplant outdoors in 6–8 weeks for fall fruiting.
Broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower (transplants)
Start seeds indoors now; these need 6–8 weeks to reach transplant size. Move to garden by late October when nights cool below 25°C (77°F).
Basil (Thai, African Blue, Lemon)
Sow indoors in warm conditions (24–27°C / 75–80°F); transplant outdoors in 3–4 weeks. Basil loves September warmth and will grow vigorously.
Harvest now
Okra (summer plantings)
Pick pods when 8–10 cm (3–4 in) long and tender; harvest every 2–3 days to encourage more flowering.
Eggplant (summer plantings)
Cut fruit with a knife when skin is glossy and firm; heat stress may reduce yield, so water deeply and mulch.
Herbs (basil, oregano, thyme)
Pinch tips regularly to promote bushiness and delay flowering. Morning harvest after dew dries is best for flavor.
Tasks this week
- Mulch beds with 5–8 cm (2–3 in) of compost or wood chips to retain moisture and keep soil cool during the heat spike forecast for Sept 11–12.
- Set up drip irrigation or soaker hoses; September rain is frequent but erratic, and consistent moisture is critical for seed germination.
- Scout for whiteflies, spider mites, and scale insects—heat and humidity favor outbreaks. Spray neem oil early morning if populations spike.
- Stake or trellis tomatoes, peppers, and beans now before they grow tall; wind gusts to 37 km/h (23 mph) are forecast mid-week.
- Deadhead spent flowers on summer ornamentals (zinnias, marigolds) to extend bloom and reduce pest habitat.
Watch out for
- Tropical storm risk: September is peak Atlantic hurricane season. Secure loose structures, stake tall plants, and have a plan to protect seedlings if heavy rain or wind arrives.
- Fungal diseases thrive in warm, humid conditions (74% humidity now). Ensure good air circulation, water at soil level only, and remove diseased foliage promptly.
- Soil temperature at 30°C (86°F) is excellent for germination but can stress transplants; shade new seedlings for the first week and keep soil consistently moist.
The gardening note for Fort Myers, every week
One email, Sunday evening. Unsubscribe anytime.