Veggie Growing Chart

Here is another guide I have painstakingly sifted through gardening books and internet sites to put together, this one is all about vegetables. And yes, it contains botanical fruit- such as tomatoes and squash, that we typically think of as veggies. All of the veggies listed are suitable for growing in South Florida, but I included the suggested hardiness zone just in case people from other areas want to use the chart.  As you can see, the chart is split into 2 sections... just to make it easier to fit for on the computer screen. Enjoy!

Note: Most of this info was collected from reputable sources- Guide to Florida Fruit and Vegetable Gardening by Robert Bowden, Vegetable Gardening in Florida by James M Stephens, Seed to Seed: Seed Saving and Growing Techniques for Vegetable Gardeners by Suzanne Ashworth and a few random internet pages. Anyway, I did my best to get the most accurate information I could, but if you find your vegetable grows better in shade when the chart says full sun, sorry- i cant guarantee the chart is perfect. By all means, let me know if you think you could improve on the chart, and I will happily consider your recommendations! I will likely be adding more to this chart- such as broccoli, kale, carrots and others as I get the time, later on.  

Plant Name	Zone	Light Preference	Soil Preference and ph	Water Preference	Height x width	Special considerations
Beans-pole	3-10 Depen- ding on variety	Full sun	Fertile, Compost-enriched soil 5.5-6.5	Water enough to keep the soil lightly damp in dry periods	Height: 5-12’ depending on variety. Width: 12-15”	Provide at least 6-10 feet of support in the form of a teepee, pole and string or some sort of trellis, so that the beans can twine and wrap their tendrils as they grow and climb.
Beans-bush	3-10 Depen-ding on variety	Full sun	Fertile, Compost-enriched soil 5.5.-6.5	Water enough to keep the soil lightly damp in dry periods	Height: 1-3’ Depending on variety. Width- 18-30”
Bell Pepper	8-11	Full sun	Loamy 6-7	Keep soil moist – peppers may need more water while fruiting	6-36” x 18-24”	Provide support to drooping plants with stakes or trellis.    Gradually adapt pepper seedlings from shade to full sun over a period of 2 weeks.
Eggplant	4-14 Annual in temperate zones, Perennial in tropics.	Full sun	Loose, fertile 5.5 - 6.5	Keep soil moist, likes water.	18”-4’ up to 8’ x 18-24”	Be careful of spines when picking    Picking often will increase fruiting.    Cut with shears instead of twisting to avoid damaging the plant.    Use stakes or cages for support.
Hot Peppers	8-11	Full sun	Well draining Tolerant Moderately fertile soil. 6-7	Keep soil moist, don’t allow it to dry out.	6-48” x 18-24”	Use stakes or cages for support. Gradually adapt pepper seedlings from shade to full sun over a period of 2 weeks.
Lettuce	1-11	Full sun to part shade	Loose compost enriched soil. 6-6.5	Keep soil lightly moist.	6-12” x 6-12”	Lettuce can get by on 5 hours of sun per day and may do better in shadier areas in hot climates.
Okra	5-11	Full sun	Well draining, compost enriched soil. 6-8	Water enough to keep soil from drying out.	2-8’ x 18-24”	Speed germination by soaking seeds in water 1 day before planting. Pick pods before they get beyond 3” long
Onions	3-10	Full sun Green onions tolerate partial shade.	Sandy loam or muck soil. Organic matter increases flavor and size. 5.5-6.5	Keep soil moderately moist, not soggy.	4-24” x 4-5”	Onions like extra nitrogen in the soil.
Pepper-corns	10-11	Full sun to part shade	Well draining moderately fertile soil 6.1-7.8	Keep soil moist, likes humidity	10-15’ x up to 5’.	Makes a good potted plant.
Seminole Pumpkin	5-10	Part Shade	Well Draining, moderately fertile with organic matter. 6-7.5	Drought and flood tolerant	6-12” and spreads up to 25’	A sturdy trellis can be made to support the vine or it can be left to sprawl on the ground.
Summer Squash	3-10	Full sun to light shade	Loose Compost without too much manure excess nitrogen discourages fruit 6-7	Keep soil moist with deep waterings.	1-3’ x 2-4’ Allow enough space for good air circulation.	A fast-growing vegetable with many tasty uses.
Sweet potato	3-11, perennial in the tropics.	Full sun	Compost enriched soil. 5.6-6.5	Water thoroughly when planting, then only in very dry periods after.	2’ x 5’	Letting deer eat the potato foliage will not harm the tubers.    Makes a good groundcover and can be planted under fruit trees.    Harvest potatoes when vines turn yellow.
Tomato	5-12	6-8 hours of Full sun	Well draining Compost rich in organic matter Excess nitrogen will reduce fruit 6-6.8	Water deeply when soil dries out	Determinate: 3-4’ x 2-3’ Indeterminate: 6-10’ x 18-24”	Indeterminate tomatoes benefit from pole and twine, cages or some form of support.
Zucchini	3-12	Full sun	Loose Compost without too much manure, excess nitrogen discourages fruit 6-6.5	Keep soil moist with deep waterings	2-3’ x 3-4’

Plant Name	Propagation	Sowing Season(specifically in S. Florida)	Germination time	Seed to fruit time	Native Origin
Beans-pole	Seeds, cuttings	February - May and August - October	3-10 days depending on variety	50-60 days	The Americas
Beans-bush	Seeds, cuttings	February - May and August - October	3-10 days depending on variety	50-60 days	The Americas
Bell Pepper	Seeds or cuttings	August     – March	8-15 days	80-100 days	Central America and northern South America
Eggplant	Seeds or cuttings	December- February and August-september	10-20 days	50-80 days	India
Hot Peppers	Seeds or cuttings	August - march	10-25 days	60-80 days	Central America and northern South America
Lettuce	Seeds	September - January	2-14 days	35-75 days	Europe and Asia
Okra	Seeds,	February - May August -September	Speed germination by soaking seeds in water overnight before planting	50-75 days	Africa
Onions	Seeds, bulbs, or root cuttings	September - March	10 days	120-160 for bulbing, 50-75 for bunching, 30-40 for multipliers	South Asia
Pepper-corns	Seeds or cuttings		Difficult to grow from seed.	3 years	South India
Seminole Pumpkin	Seeds	Anytime but dead of winter.	2-7 days	125-150 days	Florida
Summer Squash	Seeds or cuttings	January – March	7 – 14 days	40-55 days	North America
Sweet potato	Cuttings Rooting sections of the tuber.	March - June	Not grown from seed.	120-140	The Americas
Tomato	Seeds or cuttings	August     – March	5-10 days	90-110 days	South America
Zucchini	seeds	Jan - March Sept - Oct	5-10 Days	45-55 days	Central America