Fall · September 8, 2026

Tampa, Florida

Florida Peninsula

Now

28°C · Overcast

Today

30° / 24°

Soil 6 cm

29°C

First frost

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Gardening in Tampa

AI field guide · refreshed weekly

Tampa Gardening: Early Fall Planting Season Opens

Zone 10b means frost won't arrive until late December (114 days away), giving you a long window for cool-season crops. Soil at 28°C (82°F) is still warm but cooling—ideal for germinating fall vegetables. You're 247 days past the last spring frost, so summer heat stress is behind you.

Sow outdoors now

  • Lettuce & Leafy Greens

    Direct sow buttercrunch, oak leaf, and romaine varieties now; they'll germinate in warm soil and mature as temperatures drop. Succession-sow every 2 weeks through November for continuous harvest.

  • Broccoli & Cabbage

    Sow seeds directly or transplant seedlings started 4–6 weeks ago; varieties like 'Calabrese' and 'Savoy' thrive in Tampa's fall. Space 45 cm (18 in) apart in full sun.

  • Carrots & Beets

    Direct sow 'Nantes' carrots and 'Detroit Dark Red' beets into loose, well-draining soil; thin seedlings to 5 cm (2 in) spacing. Expect harvest in 60–70 days.

  • Radishes & Turnips

    Fast-maturing 'Cherry Belle' radishes and 'Purple Top' turnips germinate quickly in warm soil and mature in 3–4 weeks. Perfect for impatient gardeners.

  • Peas (Sugar Snap & Snow)

    Sow along a trellis now; they'll climb as temperatures cool. Inoculate seeds with rhizobium powder to boost nitrogen fixation in sandy Tampa soil.

Start indoors now

  • Tomatoes (Fall Crop)

    Start 'Florida 91', 'Sungold', or 'Cherry' varieties indoors under lights; transplant in 6–8 weeks for harvest before December frost. Use sterile seed-starting mix.

  • Peppers (Sweet & Hot)

    Start 'Shishito', 'Jalapeño', or 'Bell' peppers now for transplanting in late October; they'll fruit through winter in zone 10b. Keep soil at 24–27°C (75–80°F).

  • Eggplant

    Sow 'Black Beauty' or 'Japanese Long' indoors; these heat-lovers will mature as fall arrives and produce through mild Tampa winters.

Harvest now

  • Basil

    Cut leaves before plants bolt in remaining heat; dry or freeze for winter use. Remove flower buds to extend productivity.

  • Okra

    Pick pods at 7–10 cm (3–4 in) length every 2–3 days; harvest will slow as temperatures drop but continue into October.

  • Yard-Long Beans

    Gather regularly to encourage more flowering; plants decline as nights cool, so harvest heavily this week.

Tasks this week

  • Amend beds with 5 cm (2 in) of compost; Tampa's sandy soil needs organic matter to retain moisture and nutrients.
  • Set up drip irrigation or soaker hoses for fall crops—consistent moisture is critical during germination and establishment.
  • Mulch newly seeded areas with 2.5 cm (1 in) of straw to keep soil cool and moist as heat lingers.
  • Scout for spider mites and whiteflies on remaining summer crops; spray with neem oil if populations spike.
  • Prune dead or diseased growth from perennials (rosemary, sage, lantana) to redirect energy before fall growth flush.

Watch out for

  • Afternoon thunderstorms are common in early September—water early morning to avoid fungal issues, and ensure drainage is clear.
  • Soil temperature is still 28°C (82°F); seeds may rot if soil stays waterlogged. Wait for rain or water deeply but infrequently.
  • Caterpillars and loopers will target young brassicas and leafy greens—use row covers or Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) if damage appears.

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