What are the Best Crops to Grow in Sarasota Backyards?

Florida is a gardener’s paradise. Except when it isn’t.

From late October through early May, gardening is a joy. Sarasota’s weather borders on perfection, with plenty of sunshine, low humidity, warm days, and cool nights. Indeed, you can work all day without scarcely breaking a sweat.

Then in late spring, everything changes. Florida’s perfect weather gradually gives way to monstrous heat and humidity, followed on most days by late afternoon thunderstorms whose monsoonal rains offer a brief reprieve from the swooning heat. By late summer, even the nights are hot and sticky, by which time most of us have long-since given up, retreated into our air-conditioned cocoons, and are waiting for the cool weather to filter back in.

Like so many others, if you were a passionate summer gardener up north before coming to Sarasota, you will need to adjust your mindset before establishing a garden here. Toiling in Florida’s midday summer heat will quickly squelch all enjoyment of the pastime. Instead, prepare your garden, lawn, or landscape for planting before the summer heats up, then perform your routine chores and maintenance as early in the morning as possible.

The University of Florida, in conjunction with each of its county extension offices, offers a comprehensive gardening website, entitled Gardening Solutions, to instruct local gardeners on everything you need to know about gardening in your specific Florida location. Whether it’s a flower, fruit or vegetable, lawn or landscape project there’s scarcely a topic that isn’t covered on the site, including what to plant, when to plant it and how to plant it. Naturally, there is an emphasis on native Florida plants that stand up to our hot climate, while using less water and being generally resistant to drought.

You will find such useful tools as a newcomer’s guide to Florida landscaping, how to create a Florida-friendly landscape, planting calendars. Additionally, you can have your soil and water tested by dropping off samples to your county extension office.

For Southwest Florida, these extension offices include:

UF Sarasota County Extension Office is located at 6700 Clark Road, Twin Lakes Park, Sarasota, FL 34241
Phone: 941-861-9900 | Open M-F 8am-5pm.

UF Manatee County Extension Office is located at 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL 34221
Phone: 941-722-4524 | Open M-F 8am-5pm.

UF Charlotte County Extension Office is located at 1120 O’Donnell Road, Port Charlotte, FL 33953
941-764-4340 | Open M-F 8am-5pm.