Free Gardening Resource
South Florida Seasonal Growing Calendar & Horse Manure Application Guide
Know exactly what to plant and when to apply composted horse manure fertilizer every month of the year in South Florida. Tailored for Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Boca Raton, and all of Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties.
🌧️
May
Warm Season 70-88°F Rainfall: Medium-High
What to Plant in May
Sweet PotatoesSouthern PeasOkraSeminole PumpkinTropical Fruit TreesCassava
Horse Manure Application Guide
Light applications only — focus on mulching. Horse manure helps buffer soil temperature and retain moisture during hot months.
Full Year South Florida Planting & Manure Schedule
| Month | Season | Top Crops | Manure Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| ❄️January | Cool Season | Tomatoes (transplant), Peppers (transplant), Lettuce... | Apply 2-3 inch layer of composted horse manure to cool-season beds. Top-dress es... |
| 🌱February | Cool Season | Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplant... | Side-dress existing crops with composted horse manure. Prepare warm-season beds ... |
| 🌿March | Transition | Tomatoes (last chance), Peppers, Squash... | Heavy application month. Work composted horse manure into all new beds. Mulch ar... |
| ☀️April | Warm Season | Sweet Potatoes, Southern Peas, Okra... | Maintain mulch layer of composted horse manure around plants. The organic matter... |
| 🌧️MayNow | Warm Season | Sweet Potatoes, Southern Peas, Okra... | Light applications only — focus on mulching. Horse manure helps buffer soil temp... |
| 🌴June | Summer/Rainy | Cherry Tomatoes (heat-tolerant), Southern Peas, Okra... | Minimal new applications. Maintain existing mulch. Begin stockpiling composted h... |
| 🌞July | Summer/Rainy | Southern Peas, Okra, Seminole Pumpkin... | Focus on cover crops and soil building. Work composted horse manure into fallow ... |
| 🌻August | Summer/Rainy | Start fall seedlings indoors, Southern Peas, Okra... | Heavy preparation month. Work 3-4 inches of composted horse manure into all beds... |
| 🍂September | Transition | Tomatoes (transplant), Peppers (transplant), Beans... | Apply composted horse manure to all new fall plantings. Side-dress transplants. ... |
| 🎃October | Cool Season Begins | Tomatoes, Peppers, Lettuce... | Peak application month. Apply 2-3 inches of composted horse manure to all cool-s... |
| 🍁November | Cool Season | Lettuce, Spinach, Kale... | Side-dress established crops. Apply thin layer around cool-season vegetables. Ho... |
| 🎄December | Cool Season | Lettuce, Spinach, Peas... | Light maintenance applications. Begin planning spring beds and stockpiling compo... |
South Florida Gardening Calendar FAQ
When is the best time to apply horse manure in South Florida?
The best times are March (for warm-season crops), August-September (for fall planting), and October (for cool-season crops). However, composted horse manure can be applied year-round in South Florida's mild climate. The key is to apply it 2-4 weeks before planting for best results.
What vegetables grow best in South Florida with horse manure?
Tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans, cucumbers, lettuce, kale, and herbs all thrive with composted horse manure in South Florida. The manure's slow-release nutrients and soil-improving properties are especially beneficial for heavy feeders like tomatoes and peppers.
Can I garden year-round in South Florida?
Yes! South Florida has two main growing seasons: cool season (October-March) for traditional vegetables, and warm season (April-September) for heat-tolerant crops and tropical plants. With composted horse manure to improve your soil, you can grow something productive every month of the year.
How much horse manure should I apply each season?
Apply 2-3 inches of composted horse manure to new beds and 1-2 inches as a top-dressing for established beds each season. For South Florida's sandy soil, more frequent lighter applications work better than one heavy application. At $5 per 40-50lb bag, seasonal applications are very affordable.