A Note from Sara

Spring hit the farm like someone flipped a switch. One week we were coasting through the tail end of winter — pleasant, manageable, everything humming along — and then the light changed. That Florida spring light that makes everything look a little sharper, a little more alive. The greenhouse thermometer crept up. The basil started growing faster. And suddenly I'm back in that mode where I have twelve things to do before noon and I love every single one of them.

March is when the year really begins for growers in Florida. The snowbirds are still here buying microgreens at the markets, the spring planting window is wide open, and there's this optimistic energy that I've learned to ride rather than fight. This month I want to share our spring planting guide (updated for 2026), talk seriously about food safety — which I know isn't glamorous but matters enormously — and explore something I've been experimenting with at home: hydroponic herbs on the kitchen counter.

Let's make the most of this season.

What We're Reading

Florida Spring 2026 Planting Guide

Timing is everything in Florida gardening, and our timing is different from everywhere else in the country. While gardeners in the Midwest are still dreaming about their first frost-free date, we're already planting warm-season crops. This guide breaks down what to plant in March, April, and May across North, Central, and South Florida — with specific attention to varieties that perform well in our heat and humidity. I also included a section on succession planting, because nothing is sadder than a garden that peaks in April and has nothing to show for itself by June.

Read the spring planting guide →

Microgreens Food Safety Guide

I debated whether to lead with this piece because food safety articles don't exactly inspire clicks. But I'm going to be direct: if you're growing microgreens to sell — or even to feed your family — you need to understand food safety protocols. Contamination risks are real, and they're manageable, but only if you take them seriously. This guide covers sanitation practices, water quality testing, proper harvesting procedures, and storage temperatures. It's based on FDA guidelines, university research, and our own standard operating procedures at Wholly Water Farms.

Read the food safety guide →

Kitchen Herbs: A Hydroponic Guide

Full confession: I started growing hydroponic herbs in my kitchen because I was tired of buying grocery store basil that wilted before I could use half the package. What started as a convenience project turned into a genuine obsession. A simple countertop hydroponic system — and you can build a basic one for under forty dollars — can keep you in fresh basil, cilantro, mint, and parsley year-round. The flavor difference between herbs harvested thirty seconds before you use them and herbs that traveled 1,500 miles in a refrigerated truck is not subtle.

Read the hydroponic herbs guide →

Seasonal Tip: Transitioning to Warm-Season Growing

As temperatures climb through March, your microgreen growing environment shifts. Heat-loving varieties like sunflower and basil will thrive, but cooler-season favorites like broccoli and kale microgreens may start bolting faster or developing off-flavors. The fix isn't complicated: move cool-season trays to the shadiest, coolest part of your growing space, and increase air circulation. At the farm, we adjust our planting schedule in March to front-load the cool-season varieties in the first two weeks and transition fully to warm-season by month's end. At home, a small fan pointed at your trays makes a meaningful difference.

Florida Spotlight: UF/IFAS Extension Services

If you're growing anything in Florida and you haven't connected with your county's UF/IFAS Extension office, you're missing out on one of the best free resources available. Extension agents are trained horticulturists who understand Florida's specific growing conditions, and they offer everything from soil testing to pest identification to small farm business planning. I credit our local Extension agent with helping me troubleshoot a persistent nutrient deficiency issue in our first year that would have taken me months to figure out on my own. Find your county office at sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu.

Quick FAQ

Q: Do I need any certifications to sell microgreens in Florida?

A: It depends on how and where you're selling. If you're selling directly to consumers at farmers markets, Florida's Cottage Food Law may apply, but microgreens exist in a gray area because they're a raw agricultural product rather than a processed food. If you're selling to restaurants or retailers, you'll likely need a food establishment permit from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. My strong recommendation: contact FDACS directly before you start selling. The rules are navigable, but you want to get them right from the start.

Until Next Month

Spring is short in Florida. Before you know it, we'll be in the thick of summer heat and adjusting everything accordingly. So plant something this month. Try a new variety. Visit your local Extension office. And wash your hands before you harvest — I mean it about the food safety.

Keep growing,
Sara Johnson
President, Wholly Water Farms