Tomatoes, squash, hot and sweet peppers thrive in warm weather, while broccoli, lettuce and many of the greens grow best in cool winter months. Tallahassee Nurseries offers a free brochure with information on seasons, spacing and general growing hints to help you. Good gardening practices generally reduce insect and disease pests. Early detection of pests offers the first step to containment. Hand-picking a few offending insects works well but large populations may demand using sprays or dust approved for edible crops.
Vegetables grow best in rich soil in at least six hours of direct sun.
Some soil preparation will go far toward good fruit production. Adding organic materials like mushroom compost or well-rotted manure will greatly improve soil fertility and water drainage. If you grow in containers, the use of a good sterile soil mix is recommended. Plants need less water in cool weather than they do in hot. Close observation and sticking your finger in the soil will help you determine when to apply water.