If waiting around for veggies isn’t your thing, Florida’s climate actually works in your favor. I’ve grown some super speedy crops here that go from seed to plate before you know it.
These fast-growing veggies love the warmth and give you quick wins to keep your garden exciting. Perfect for beginners or anyone who just wants results—fast!
Let’s plant now and start snacking sooner than you’d think.
1. Radishes
Ready in just 3-4 weeks, these peppery gems are perfect for Florida’s cooler months. Plant them in well-drained soil and watch them pop up almost overnight.
Florida gardeners love how radishes can be harvested while other veggies are still developing. Their crisp texture and vibrant color make them worth the minimal effort required.
2. Arugula
Spicy and bold, arugula sprouts in just 7 days and can be harvested within 3-4 weeks. The peppery leaves thrive in Florida’s partial shade during warmer months.
Many Sunshine State gardeners plant successive batches every two weeks for continuous harvests. Cut the outer leaves and let the plant continue growing for multiple yields from a single planting.
3. Green Onions
From seed to table in about 30 days, green onions are among Florida’s easiest crops. Simply snip what you need and leave the roots to regrow multiple times.
Florida’s mild winters make them perfect for year-round growing. The white bottoms develop quickly while the flavorful green tops can be harvested even earlier for a quick garnish.
4. Spinach
Fast-growing and packed with nutrients, spinach thrives during Florida’s cooler months. Baby leaves can be harvested in just 25-30 days, perfect for impatient salad lovers.
Florida gardeners appreciate how spinach tolerates light frost, making it ideal for winter gardens. For continuous harvests, pick the outer leaves first and allow the center to keep producing.
5. Bush Beans
These garden favorites sprint from seed to harvest in just 45-60 days. The compact plants don’t require staking, making them perfect for busy Florida gardeners with limited space.
Thriving in the Sunshine State’s warm soil, bush beans produce abundantly in short bursts. Their nitrogen-fixing roots actually improve your garden soil for future plantings.
6. Cucumbers
Quick-climbing and prolific, cucumbers can be ready to pick in just 50-70 days in Florida’s warm climate. Their sprawling vines produce multiple fruits throughout the growing season.
Many Florida gardeners grow them vertically on trellises to save space and keep the fruits clean. Choose bush varieties for containers or small gardens in the Sunshine State.
7. Lettuce
Leaf varieties can be harvested in just 30 days, with cut-and-come-again methods extending your yield. Florida gardeners succeed with heat-resistant varieties during the cooler months.
In the Sunshine State, morning sun and afternoon shade help prevent bolting. Planting lettuce among taller plants provides natural protection from Florida’s intense midday rays.
8. Cherry Tomatoes
Small but mighty, cherry tomatoes can produce fruit in as little as 60 days. Their sweet flavor makes them worth the slightly longer wait compared to leafy greens.
Florida’s long growing season allows for multiple harvests from a single plant. Look for heat-tolerant varieties specifically developed for the Sunshine State’s challenging summer conditions.
9. Kale
This superfood is ready for baby leaf harvest in just 25-30 days. The hearty leaves actually become sweeter after light frost, making it perfect for Florida winter gardens.
Many Sunshine State gardeners find kale outperforms other greens during cooler months. Harvest the outer leaves first and the plant will continue producing for months of nutritious greens.
10. Summer Squash
Zucchini and yellow squash race from seed to harvest in about 50 days. One plant can produce enough for an entire Florida family, with new fruits forming almost daily.
The Sunshine State’s warm soil encourages rapid growth and high yields. Many Florida gardeners joke about having to lock their cars during summer to prevent neighbors from leaving excess squash!
11. Bok Choy
This Asian green reaches baby leaf stage in just 21 days, with full heads ready in 45-50 days. The crisp stalks and tender leaves thrive during Florida’s mild winters.
Sunshine State gardeners appreciate how bok choy tolerates light frost yet grows quickly. Succession planting every few weeks ensures continuous harvests throughout Florida’s cooler months.
12. Mustard Greens
Spicy and distinctive, mustard greens can be harvested as baby leaves in just 21 days. Their bold flavor adds punch to salads and stir-fries throughout Florida’s growing season.
The Sunshine State’s mild winters create perfect conditions for these fast-growing greens. Many Florida gardeners appreciate how mustard’s natural pest-repellent properties help protect neighboring plants.
13. Okra
Thriving in Florida’s heat and humidity, okra produces pods in just 50-60 days. The beautiful hibiscus-like flowers transform into tender pods that should be harvested frequently.
Many Sunshine State gardeners rely on okra during the challenging summer months when other vegetables struggle. The plants continue producing until frost, making them a high-yield choice for Florida gardens.
14. Swiss Chard
With rainbow-colored stems and nutritious leaves, Swiss chard can be harvested in just 30 days. The heat-tolerant plants continue producing through much of Florida’s growing season.
Sunshine State gardeners appreciate how this beautiful vegetable thrives when other greens have bolted. The cut-and-come-again nature means a few plants provide months of harvests in Florida gardens.
15. Turnips
These dual-purpose vegetables provide greens in 30 days and roots in 60 days. The tender tops offer early harvests while the roots develop below Florida’s sandy soil.
Many Sunshine State gardeners grow turnips during the cooler months when they develop the sweetest flavor. Their ability to grow in partial shade makes them versatile additions to Florida garden spaces.
16. Mizuna
This Japanese mustard green reaches baby leaf stage in just 20 days. The feathery, mild-flavored leaves regrow quickly after cutting in Florida’s mild climate.
Sunshine State gardeners value mizuna for its heat tolerance compared to other greens. Its attractive serrated leaves add visual interest to Florida garden beds while providing multiple harvests throughout the season.