Q.Is Mid Sept. A Good Time To Start Growing Tomatoes In Zone 9-10?
I have grown tomatoes in zone 6 for the last 50 years. Is this a good time to start growing tomatoes in zone 9-10? Thank you. Ted Rosenberg tedandmarsha@gmail.com – Boynton Beach, FL
There will be less production once sunlight levels drop significantly and once pollinators start to prepare for winter but you could get a fall crop. My aunt who lived in Ocala used to continue growing existing plants until overnight temperatures were forecasted to get to or below 55-60°F or when insufficient sunlight/pollinators reduced plant growth and tomato production (so, normally late September or in October). Boynton Beach tends to reach those overnight lows in December but enough sunlight and pollinators will be a problem then; feel free to experiment. Spring planting time for South Florida tomatoes is from November to February. Put out tomatoes in August to September for a fall tomato crop, preferably on an overcast day.
