Notes for December 2024: Strawberries have a very brief season; and the start in early April in the South, don't miss them:
This page has a table below that tells when each fruit or vegetable is normally ready to be harvested in Florida! We also have a page with links to our own simple instructions on canning, freezing and drying many fruits and vegetables, such as how to make jam, apple butter, applesauce, spaghetti sauce, salsa, pickles, ketchup or freezing corn.
You may want to see our guide to local fruit and vegetable festivals, such as strawberry festivals and blueberry festivals. Cold weather crops, like spinach, some lettuces, peas, kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, leeks and early onions being harvested in all but the coldest regions. Many farms and markets still have fresh winter squash, stored from last Autumn. Click on the links below to find local farms:
You may noticed the new appearance to the website! Simpler, cleaner and mobile-friendly! I'm rolling it out, page by page over the next 2 months. Everything is still here; you can access it from the drop down menus at the top of the page or the site search. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to write me!
Note, the summers often get too hot for many crops to grow in Florida, so always call ahead.
And while other crops may grow in Floorida, that does not mean they are always available as a U-pick crop.
See this page for the citrus calendar!
Fruit/Veg | Jan | Feb | March | April | May | June | July | August | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec | ||||||||
apples -none in FL, too hot! | ||||||||||||||||||||
Asian pears | X | X | X | X | X | X | ||||||||||||||
asparagus | X | X | X | X | ||||||||||||||||
beans | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | ||||||||||
blackberries | X | X | ||||||||||||||||||
blueberries | X | X | X | X | X | |||||||||||||||
broccoli | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | ||||||||||
cabbage | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | ||||||||||
cantaloupes | X | X | X | X | X | X | ||||||||||||||
cherries (too hot to grow here) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Christmas trees (Leylands) | X | X | ||||||||||||||||||
cucumbers | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | |||||
eggplant | X | X | X | X | X | X | ||||||||||||||
greens | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | ||||||||||
herbs | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | ||||||
nectarines | X | X | X | |||||||||||||||||
peaches | X | X | X | |||||||||||||||||
peas | X | X | X | |||||||||||||||||
peppers | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | ||||||||||||
plums | X | X | ||||||||||||||||||
potatoes | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | ||||||||||||
raspberries (rare in Florida) | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | |||||||||||
rhubarb - not grown in FL - too hot for it | ||||||||||||||||||||
pumpkins - generally too hot to grow in Florida | X | X | X | X | ||||||||||||||||
squash | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | ||||||||||
strawberries* | X | X | X | X | X | |||||||||||||||
sweet corn | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | ||||||||||
sweet potatoes | X | X | X | X | ||||||||||||||||
tomatoes | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | ||||||
watermelons | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | ||||||||||
Fruit/Veg | Jan | Feb | March | April | May | June | July | August | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Green indicates the range when the crop usually ripens; but be sure to call the farms, as it is just an approximation. Harvest dates can vary dramatically in different seasons and even in different parts of the state.
* Note: Strawberry fields are often opened for U-pick after the end of the commercial season and is also dependent on the weather. U-pick strawberries are typically February and March, then tapers off in April.
Water bath canner with a jar rack
Pressure canners for gas, electric and induction stoves: Presto 23Qt or T-fal 22Qt
Canning scoop (this one is PERFECT)
Ball Blue book (most recent version)
Jars: 8oz canning jars for jams
Farm markets and roadside stands
Road trips and camping resources
Local Honey, apiaries, beekeepers
Consumer fraud and scams information
Home canning supplies at the best prices on the internet!
Maple Syrup Farms, sugarworks, maple syrup festivals
Environmental information and resources
Farms For Your Event for birthday parties, weddings, receptions, business meetings, retreats, etc.
Festivals - local fruit and vegetable festivals
Get the
most recent version of
the Ball Blue Book
With this Presto 23 quart pressure canner and pressure cooker, you can "can" everything, fruits, vegetables, jams, jellies, salsa, applesauce, pickles, even meats, soups, stews. Model 01781
You can make jams, jellies, can fruit, applesauce, salsa and pickles with water bath canners, like this Granite Ware 12-Piece Canner Kit, Jar Rack, Blancher, Colander and 5 piece Canning Tool Set