Vegetable production remains a tremendous industry for Florida in terms of acreage and value. Including vegetables, melons, potatoes, and strawberries, production occurred on approximately 176,500 acres and generated $1.93 billion in gross sales in 2022, which ranks second among all the states. Growing seasons are well defined by the peninsular geography, allowing Florida to serve as the main vegetable supplier during late fall, winter, and early spring months to the United States. Although more than 40 vegetable crops are commercially planted in the state, Florida ranks in the top three on production value of tomato, bell pepper, snap bean, squash, sweet corn, watermelon, cabbage, cucumber, and strawberry (Table 1).
Table 1. Vegetable production acreage and value in Florida.
The objective of this publication is to provide updated information on crop cultivars, pesticide labels, and certain practices for vegetable production in Florida. Suggested practices are guidelines for growers to plan farm activities and are always subject to review using the latest scientific data available.
Web Links to Additional Information on Vegetable Production Topics
UF/IFAS Extension provides information through Ask IFAS/EDIS at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu. Below is a partial list of EDIS publications and other resources pertaining to vegetable production for further information beyond the Vegetable Production Handbook of Florida.
Vegetable Crop Production
Complete Vegetable Production Handbook: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/CV292
“Introduction to Organic Crop Production”: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/CV118
“Value Added Agriculture: Is It Right for Me?”: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FE638
Farm to School: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_farm_to_school
“Row Covers for Commercial Vegetable Culture in Florida”: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/CV201
Fertility and Irrigation
“Commercial Vegetable Fertilization Principles”: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/CV009
“Soil and Fertilizer Management for Vegetable Production in Florida”: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/CV101
“Controlled-Release and Slow-Release Fertilizers as Nutrient Management Tools”: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/HS1255
“Cover Crop Benefits for South Florida Commercial Vegetable Producers”: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ss461
“Principles and Practices of Irrigation Management for Vegetables”: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/CV107
“Drip Irrigation: the BMP Era—An Integrated Approach to Water and Fertilizer Management for Vegetables Grown with Plasticulture”: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/HS172
Postharvest Quality and Handling Resources
UF/IFAS Postharvest Quality & Technology: https://irrec.ifas.ufl.edu/postharvest/
UF/IFAS EDIS on Postharvest and Handling: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_postharvest
Postharvest Technology: http://postharvest.ucdavis.edu
Marketing and Regulatory Resources
Florida Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services (FDACS): https://www.fdacs.gov/Divisions-Offices/Marketing-and-Development
US Grade Standards for Fruits and Vegetables: https://www.ams.usda.gov/standards
National Agricultural Statistics Service: https://www.nass.usda.gov/fl/
FoodData Central, formerly National Nutrient Database: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/
National Organic Program: https://www.ams.usda.gov/about-ams/programs-offices/national-organic-program
Food Safety Resources
“Food Safety on the Farm: An Overview of Good Agricultural Practices”: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FS135
“The Food Safety Modernization Act and the FDA Facility Registration Program”: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FS231
UF/IFAS EDIS on Food Safety: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_food_safety/
CDC: Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases: https://www.cdc.gov/ncezid/divisions-offices/about-dfwed.html
U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA): https://www.fda.gov/food/guidanceregulation/fsma/default.htm
Fumigation
“Movement and Toxicity of Nematicides in the Plant Root Zone”: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/NG002
“Maximizing the Efficacy of Soil Fumigant Applications for Raised-Bed Plasticulture Systems of Florida”: https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-hs1169-2010
Pesticide Safety
“Pesticide Provisions of the Florida Agricultural Worker Safety Act (FAWSA)”: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/PI078
“Pesticide Safety”: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/CV108
“Pesticide Labels: Signal Words”: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/PI137
“Minimizing Honey Bee Exposure to Pesticides”: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN1027
Pest Management
“Integrated Disease Management for Vegetable Crops in Florida”: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/PP111
UF/IFAS EDIS on Florida Nematode Management: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/nematode_management
“Weed Management”: https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-cv113-2006
UF/IFAS EDIS on Pest Management: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/pest_management