August Edition: Tomatoes, Okra & Starting Fresh After a Hot Mess
This is my very first summer gardening in Florida—and if I’m being completely honest, I let the garden go.
Between the thick, sticky heat and some much-needed July travels, I barely stepped outside, let alone into the garden beds. The weeds? Thriving. The soil? Dry. The heat? Not exactly welcoming. And somewhere in there, I gave myself a little grace and stepped back.
But now that August is here, I’m leaning back in—with dirt under my nails, a big glass of water nearby, and a hopeful heart.
🍅 Tomatoes: A Late-Summer Do-Over
I used to think summer was too late for planting, but in Florida, August is a hidden gem. It’s actually the perfect time to start another round of heat-loving tomatoes. I’m planting varieties like ‘Heatmaster’, ‘Floradade’, and maybe a few cherry types just for fun. The trick is choosing those that love the sun as much as we do.
Here’s what I’ve learned:
Start with transplants if you can—skip the seed stress this round. The good news, i have some already growing from tomatoes droppings from my last harvest
Plant deep so they grow strong roots (those stems are amazing that way).
Mulch is your best friend in this heat.
Keep an eye out for little critters—Florida bugs don’t take a summer vacation.
🗓 If all goes well, I’ll be picking my first ripe tomatoes in October—just in time for roasting, slicing, and showing off like I never abandoned the garden at all.
🌱 Okra: The Comeback Crop
Okra doesn’t judge. It loves heat, doesn’t mind if you forgot about it for a while, and grows like a champ.
What’s working for me:
I’m sowing seeds straight in the ground—no overthinking.
Soaking them overnight helps with faster sprouting.
They don’t need much—just sun, space, and the occasional “you’re doing great” pep talk.
Don’t plant near plants that will shade it too much (I planted some with the sunflowers just as an experiment, and those did not produce)
Harvest them small and often. The shorter pods are the tastiest. (I also waited way to long the last round to harvest and by the time I picked them, they weren’t that tasty and were just chewy).
🗓 Harvest starts about 50–60 days from now, which means crisp okra on the table by early fall.
🪴 Starting Fresh is Still Progress
This summer didn’t go as planned, and that’s okay. I’ve learned that a thriving garden doesn’t always mean one without weeds or gaps—it just means you keep showing up. Even after a break. Even when it’s hot. Even when you forgot to water.
So here I am, planting tomatoes and okra in August and giving myself a second chance—because sometimes the most beautiful growth comes after we’ve let things rest.
Here’s to fresh starts, forgiving soil, and finding joy in the process.
With sunshine & dirt,
Corinne
Florida Gardening Diaries 🌞