Chapter 1. Commercial Vegetable Production in Florida
Josh H. Freeman, Peter J. Dittmar, and Gary E. Vallad
Vegetable production remains a tremendous industry for Florida in
terms of acreage and value. Including vegetables, melons, potatoes, and
strawberry, production occurred on approximately 251,011 acres and generated
more than $1.34 billion in gross sales in 2016, which ranks second
geography, allowing Florida to serve as the main vegetable supplier during
late fall, winter, and early spring months to the U.S. Although more than 40
vegetable crops are commercially-planted in the state, Florida ranks in the
top three on production value of tomato, bell pepper, snap bean, squash,
sweet corn, watermelon, cabbage, cucumber, and strawberry (Table 1.1).
Table 1.1. Vegetable production acreage and value in Florida.
Crop Planted acres Value (million US$) U.S. rank
Tomato 30,000 382.2 1
Strawberry 10,800 449.7 2
Bell pepper 13,500 209.7 2
Sweet corn 37,600 160.0 2
Potato 29.300 117.0 11
Snap bean 28,200 105.6 1
Watermelon 22,500 123.3 1
Squash 6,000 30.0 2
Cabbage 8,500 49.4 3
Cucumber 11,000 66.0 1
Source: Vegetables-2015-2016 summary, NASS, USDA.
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
available.
Web Links to Additional Information on
Vegetable Production Topics
University of Florida IFAS Extension provides information through the
is a partial list of EDIS pertaining to vegetable production for further information
beyond the Vegetable Production Handbook of Florida. The boxes
on the left are QR codes that can be scanned with a mobile device and a
QR scanning app will direct you to the listed website.
VEGETABLE CROP PRODUCTION
Complete Vegetable Production Handbook
Variety Selection
Seed Quality and Seeding Technology
Transplant Production
Introduction to Organic Crop Production
Value Added Agriculture: Is It Right for Me?
Farm to School
Row Covers for Growth Enhancement
FERTILITY AND IRRIGATION
Commercial Vegetable Fertilization Principles
Soil and Fertilizer Management for
Vegetable Production in Florida
Controlled-Release and Slow-Release Fertilizers as
Nutrient Management Tools
Cover Crops
Principles and Practices of Irrigation
Management for Vegetables
Drip Irrigation in the BMP Era