5 Easy Crops Anyone Can Grow in a Backyard in Jacksonville, Florida

Living in Jacksonville, Florida offers more than just beautiful beaches and bustling city life—it also provides a great climate for growing your own food right in your backyard. Whether you’re in a small bungalow in Riverside, a suburban home in Mandarin, or even an apartment with container space on the Southside, Jacksonville’s warm and humid subtropical climate makes it possible to grow a variety of crops with minimal fuss. Here are five easy crops that just about anyone can grow in their backyard garden (or even on a sunny patio) in Jacksonville.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a favorite among home gardeners in Florida for a reason: they grow quickly, produce well, and taste infinitely better when homegrown. Jacksonville’s long growing seasons—both spring and fall—allow for multiple plantings if timed right.

Tips for Success:

• Choose heat-tolerant varieties like ‘Heatmaster’, ‘Solar Fire’, or ‘Florida 91’.
• Plant in raised beds or containers with good drainage and full sun exposure.
• Use mulch to retain moisture and reduce disease.
• Stake or cage your plants early to support heavy fruit.

Tomatoes can be grown from starter plants or seed, and with regular watering and fertilization, you’ll have ripe fruit in about 60 to 80 days.

Sweet Peppers

Sweet bell peppers and their milder cousins do great in Jacksonville’s warmth. They’re a great choice for container gardening or small raised beds and are incredibly rewarding once they start producing colorful fruits.

Why They’re Easy:

• Peppers like heat, and Jacksonville’s climate delivers.
• They require less space than some other vegetables.
• They’re relatively pest-resistant compared to other crops.

Pro Tip: Start with nursery plants in early spring or late summer. Water consistently and feed with a balanced fertilizer every few weeks.

Green Beans

Green beans (also called snap beans or string beans) are a fast-growing and prolific crop, ideal for beginners. In Jacksonville, you can grow them during both the spring and fall seasons.

Bush beans vs. Pole beans:

• Bush beans are compact and great for small gardens.
• Pole beans grow vertically, perfect if you’re tight on space and can provide a trellis or support.

Plant directly into the ground or containers with full sun exposure. You’ll usually see harvests within 50 to 60 days of planting.

Collard Greens

If you’re a Florida gardener and not growing greens, you’re missing out. Collard greens thrive in the cooler months of Jacksonville’s growing calendar (fall through early spring), and they’re incredibly hardy and nutritious.

Why They’re Great for Beginners:

• They’re very forgiving of weather changes and pest-resistant.
• You can harvest leaves as needed without uprooting the whole plant.
• Perfect for Southern cooking traditions.

Plant seeds or transplants in full sun, and keep the soil moist. They’ll keep producing for months if you harvest them regularly.

Herbs (Basil, Oregano, Parsley, and More)

For those with very limited space—or who are just starting out—herbs are a great entry into backyard gardening. Many herbs grow wonderfully in pots and don’t require much more than sun and occasional water.

Easy-to-Grow Herbs in Jacksonville:

• Basil loves hot weather and thrives in summer.
• Parsley and cilantro prefer the cooler seasons.
• Oregano and thyme are perennial in North Florida and can last all year with some care.

Place herb pots near your kitchen for easy access, and you’ll never need to buy overpriced bunches from the grocery store again.

Final Tips for the Beginner Backyard Gardener

Sunlight is Key: Most edible crops need at least 6 hours of direct sun daily.

Know Your Zones: Jacksonville is in USDA Zone 9a/9b, so check planting calendars for the best times to sow.

Water Wisely: Avoid watering in the evening, and use mulch to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Start Small: Don’t overwhelm yourself. Even a few pots or a 4×4 raised bed can feed your household with fresh produce.

Jacksonville’s climate is perfect for nearly year-round gardening, and starting with these five easy crops is a fantastic way to dip your toes into the soil. Once you harvest your first homegrown tomato or snip herbs for your dinner, you might just find yourself hooked on gardening for life.