Short answer: from Tampa Bay to Sarasota, design your food forest in fall and early winter. Plant hardy trees such as citrus, loquat and mulberry in fall. Hold cold-sensitive tropicals (mango, papaya, banana, sugar apple) until the freeze risk passes, usually from February into spring. From Fort Myers south, the cold window is much shorter.
The Southwest Florida planting calendar
- October to early December: a good window for hardy fruit trees and Florida natives. The soil is still warm, the heat has broken and roots establish before winter.
- Mid-December through January: freeze watch north of Fort Myers. Avoid planting tropicals. This is design season: walk the property, finish the plan and line up plants.
- February to May: plant tropicals once cold risk passes. Spring is dry, so plan irrigation and deep mulch.
- June to September: the rainy season does much of the watering. Planting just as the rains start is easy on young roots. Keep large installs away from peak hurricane weeks.
Why the freeze window matters
Coastal Bradenton and Sarasota rarely freeze, but "rarely" still happens. One of our Sarasota installs was hit by a significant cold event just weeks after planting. Some tropical plantings were lost while citrus came through well. Inland areas such as eastern Lakewood Ranch and parts of Hillsborough County run colder on clear winter nights. Naples and Fort Myers see much less frost.
Young trees are the most vulnerable. UF/IFAS notes that young mango trees can be damaged near freezing, while established trees tolerate more. That is why we plant tropicals after the cold window and give them a full warm season to establish.
Sarasota: planned in winter, planted when the cold risk passed.
Why now is the time to plan
A spring install starts with a winter design. If you want trees in the ground by early spring, the site visit, plan and plant sourcing should happen in November and December. Good nursery stock for popular mango and avocado varieties goes fast in spring.
Planting tips for any season
- Plant at the same depth the tree sat in the pot, never deeper.
- Mulch wide and keep mulch off the trunk.
- Water deeply two to three times a week for the first months, then taper.
- Buy bigger trees if you want fruit sooner. A larger pot costs more but saves years of waiting.
- Plant fewer trees and care for them well. Three plants is a strong start.
Common questions
When is the best time to plant fruit trees in Sarasota or Bradenton?
Plant hardy trees such as citrus, loquat and mulberry in fall. Plant cold-sensitive tropicals like mango, papaya, banana and sugar apple after the freeze window, usually February into spring.
Should I plant mango trees in winter in Florida?
North of Fort Myers, avoid planting mangos and other tropicals from mid-December through January. Young trees are the most cold-sensitive. Plant them in spring instead.
When should I start planning a spring food forest?
In November and December. Use winter for the site visit, the design and sourcing plants so installation can start as soon as the cold risk passes.
Cold-tolerance and planting guidance in this article follows UF/IFAS Extension recommendations for Florida dooryard fruit.