Climate
Central Florida zones
Orlando sits in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9b and 10a on the live map. Hardiness is winter low, not summer survival. Central Florida gardens fail more often from May-to-September heat, flooding rains, and nematodes than from frost. Use the map. Then read a Florida vegetable calendar, not a seed-packet map drawn for Pennsylvania.
What a zone is
The USDA map averages annual extreme minimum temperature. 9b and 10a mean winter is mild. It does not mean tomatoes love August. Confirm the address on planthardiness.ars.usda.gov rather than a remembered number.
Heat and rain
Afternoons over 90°F and a wet summer are the Central Florida pattern. Fungus, chewing insects, and bolted herbs follow. Florida-Friendly Landscaping starts with the right plant in the right place, then water, mulch, and fertilizer as needed — not a northern Saturday schedule.
Frost
Freeze still happens on some inland nights. HS132 uses freeze as the line for home citrus. Cover tender crops when the forecast actually calls a freeze. Do not write a harvest date that has not happened.
Questions
Can the yard plant tomatoes in June?
Central Florida’s reliable tomato windows are late winter into spring and again in fall. Summer fruit sets poorly in night heat. Read Gardening Solutions vegetables, not a national blog.
Sources
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Orlando in 9b and 10a. Confirm on the live map.
- Florida-Friendly Landscaping. Nine principles for Florida yards.
- Vegetable gardening in Florida. Crops for Florida seasons.
- HS132 Citrus Culture in the Home Landscape. Dooryard sweet orange. Freeze is the line that matters.