Growing Tomatoes in South Florida

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The most frequently asked question by gardeners after moving to South Florida is “how do you grow tomatoes?” The answer is, homegrown tomatoes are easy in the subtropical climate of South Florida once you know how.

Tomatoes are grown in South Florida primarily in the winter. This is because subtropical growing seasons are reversed from the rest of the country.

Tomatoes won’t pollinate at temperatures over 85 degrees, so most tomato plants won’t set fruit in the hot, humid South Florida summers. Summer weather in South Florida stretches from May through August. For this reason, tomatoes are generally grown from September through December, and again in late January through April.

There are a few tomato varieties that are hybridized strictly for heat, but gardeners’ impressions are that heat tolerant tomatoes do not bear well, and don’t have much taste. Cherry tomatoes will bear well in the summer here.

Growing tomatoes successfully in South Florida requires fertile, loamy, acidic soil. Since South Florida soil is generally either sand (devoid of all nutrients) or marl (can’t dig it with a pickax), both alkaline, there is a need to add lots of organic matter to your soil.

If the added organic matter is acidic, it will help counteract the alkalinity of South Florida soil. Oak leaves and peat moss are two good, acidic choices, but peat moss is very expensive. On the other hand, oak leaves can generally be picked up on yard trash day, already bagged by nice neighbors with oak trees.

Composted manure will also be needed, which can usually be acquired free from a local horse fancier or farmer. If those aren’t available, the inexpensive manure from the big box stores is fine.

To grow tomatoes in South Florida soils, first amend your soil at least 50/50 with organic matter. The easiest way is to layer it. For a tomato plant, dig a hole at least 18 inches wide and at least 12 inches deep, to accomodate root growth. Why so wide? Because of nematodes. When growing tomatoes in South Florida, nematodes are a tomato plant’s worst enemy. Nematodes hate organic matter, so the more organic matter added, the better the nematode control.

Add a 3 inch layer of composted manure in the bottom of the hole before planting the tomato. This is to feed the plant while it’s getting established. NEVER add fertilizer to a planting hole, as this will burn the roots.

Now fill the hole with water and let it soak completely into the outlying soil.

In order to allow the tomato plant to make as many roots as possible, plant it deep enough to cover at least 1/2 of the bottom of the stem of the plant for smaller plants, and at least 1/3 for one gallon size or larger. Add a 2-inch layer each of soil and organic matter, then put in the plant and check the depth. Fill again with water. Repeat until you are within an inch of the top of the hole. This will prevent air pockets in the hole, and also will wet the surrounding soil so it doesn’t suck all the water out of the planting hole.

When the hole is within 1 inch of being full, sprinkle 1/4 cup of Epsom Salts around the top of the hole, water in, then top off with composted manure, making sure to mulch it to maintain moisture. Bark mulch is not generally good for tomatoes, as it attracts wood eating insects. 5 layers of newspapers makes excellent mulch for growing tomatoes, as do leaves over newspapers.

Tomatoes will need support, so either use a tomato cage, stakes, or trellis to hold them. Tie them with a flexible material that will not cut into the tender stems. Strips of panty hose, or a stretchy polyester fabric are perfect for this.

To maintain acidity of your soil, add coffee grounds around your plant or use a special acid based fertilizer once a month. Water at least twice a week.

Following these instructions will make growing tomatoes in South Florida a pleasant experience, and when you taste that first vine ripe tomato, you’ll be glad you tried..