Basic Florida Farming Overview and Tips for 2020

One of the perks of farming in Florida is the lack of cold months. This can make certain Florida farms fruitful all year long. But there are still some challenges to starting an agricultural operation down here and some important tips you’ll want to be aware of. That’s why we at Johnson Fleet and Farm, in Yulee and Fernandina Beach, Florida, have provided you with some key farming tips for the area. You can also contact us about some of our personal tips, as we proudly serve those from Jacksonville and St. Augustine, so let us know today how we can assist you. We also have a dealership in Homerville, Georgia. 

COVID-19 Concerns

Early 2020 has thrown an unprecedented health and economic crisis at many industries, and the agricultural sphere is no different. The most important thing to know is that you’re not alone. Major organizations like the USDA and the National Young Farmers Coalition have provided resources and ongoing updates regarding the situation and advice on how you should proceed as a farmer. 

It’s important to be flexible. You might find branching out into unfamiliar crops might be a good way to stay ahead of the economic downturn. 

Also, you’ll want to look into relief offered by the state of Florida, such as the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. This is a short-term debt loan, interest-free, designed to provide relief during times of economic crisis for small businesses until such a time that the market stabilizes again. 

Understanding the Climate

Most of Florida falls in a humid subtropical climate, with elements of savanna, monsoon, and rainforest climates at the southernmost point of the peninsula. You won’t see a massive fluctuation in average temperatures throughout the year, like you might find in other parts of the country. With the exception of extreme weather changes, most of the year experiences average temperatures hovering around 70°F.

It’s also quite wet in Florida, making this a good environment for crops that require a lot of water. This highly consistent environment is what makes the area a great place to farm all year long.

Of course, even in this sense, you’ll need to be adaptable. As the climate changes on a global scale, Florida might see a rise in sea level and more severe tropical storms and hurricanes. This will pose a challenge in the coming years that you’ll need to prepare for, but again, you have lots of resources and a committed community to help you along the way. 

Hardiness Zone

A region’s hardiness zone indicates a number of things, primarily when the growing season takes place, which can help you better plan planting and harvesting days, as well as what kinds of crops will grow well in the area. Florida falls in zones 8 through 11, which essentially confirms what we’ve already stated: that Florida can grow crops throughout most of the year. This is because Florida rarely experiences frost, which is a big crop-killer in other parts of the country and dictates the growing seasons.

Top Crops

As you can imagine, there are a number of specialty crops grown in Florida, thanks to the unique climate. The biggest Florida crop, by far, is oranges, with a billion dollar market in the state alone. This is closely followed by grapefruit, along with other top crops throughout the state, including:

• Cucumbers
• Tomatoes
• Bell Peppers 
• Watermelon
• Sweet corn
• Snap Beans
• Squash
• Cabbage
• Strawberries
• Peanuts

These are by no means the only crops you can grow in the state. You have lots of options available to you, although depending on what you choose, you might need to make some adjustments to how you farm, so you can still acquire significant yield. 

Farming in Florida, like farming anywhere, requires skill and flexibility, but leaning on your fellow agriculturalists and important organizations put in place to help you is the key to success. Ask your colleagues—over phone—for additional tips, or contact Johnson Fleet and Farm about getting all the right equipment for your operation. You’ll find us in Homerville, GA, as well as Yulee and Fernandina Beach, FL, serving Jacksonville and St. Augustine.