Civilizations And Crops

What Does Suarez Farms Grow? Crops, Climate, and Verification

Photo of What Does Suarez Farms Grow? Crops, Climate, and Verification

Suarez Farms in Clermont, Florida is listed as a general crop and produce operation. Based on available public information, the Clermont, FL location grows a mix of warm-season vegetables and produce typical of Central Florida's climate, think crops like squash, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and leafy greens, with the region's subtropical conditions also supporting citrus and tropical fruiting plants. There is also a separate Suarez Farms entity focused on palay (unhusked rice) conversion and rice production, which appears to operate in a rice-growing region (most likely Southeast Asia or a rice-dominant U.S. Gulf Coast state). If you're researching the Florida-based Suarez Farms at 11121 Lake Montgomery Blvd, Clermont, FL 34715, the crops below reflect what's most consistent with that region's agricultural profile.

Main crops at Suarez Farms (Clermont, FL)

Suarez Farms LLC in Clermont sits in Lake County, Florida, a zone famous for diversified vegetable farming and citrus production. Because the farm's public listings don't enumerate specific crops, the most reliable picture comes from the dominant crops grown by similar operations in the same zip code and county. Based on that regional profile and the farm's general classification as a crop and produce operation, the likely core production includes:

  • Fresh market vegetables: tomatoes, squash (summer and winter varieties), cucumbers, and peppers
  • Leafy greens: lettuce, collards, and kale (grown in the cooler fall through spring window)
  • Citrus: oranges, grapefruits, or tangerines (Lake County has a long citrus history)
  • Tropical or subtropical produce: possibilities include herbs, sweet corn, and sweet potatoes
  • Possibly small fruits like strawberries during the October-to-March growing window

These are regionally consistent crops, not confirmed in a published Suarez Farms crop list. The section below on verifying current plantings will help you pin down exactly what's in the ground right now.

Why Clermont, Florida makes sense for these crops

Clermont sits in Central Florida's Lake County at roughly 28 degrees north latitude, which places it in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The region averages about 51 inches of rain per year, with a wet season running from June through September and a comparatively dry, mild winter. Average January lows hover around 50°F, which is cold enough to knock back tropical plants but not nearly cold enough for extended frost. That profile is the sweet spot for warm-season vegetables grown in fall and spring, cool-season greens grown through winter, and citrus that can survive the occasional light frost. The rolling terrain around Clermont (the "Citrus Tower" area) also provides some elevation advantage, which historically gave citrus growers a bit of cold-air drainage protection.

Lake County's soils are predominantly sandy with good drainage, which suits root crops, squash, and tomatoes well but requires regular irrigation and organic matter amendments to build fertility. The Floridan Aquifer underlies the region and supplies most irrigation water. Farms in this area typically run drip or overhead irrigation systems to compensate for Florida's unpredictable dry spells outside the rainy season.

Crops by growing season: cool vs. warm

Split garden beds showing cool-season leafy greens on one side and warm-season tomatoes and cucumbers on the other.

Florida's seasons don't follow the spring-summer-fall-winter pattern most people expect. In Central Florida, the practical growing calendar splits into a cool season (roughly October through March) and a warm/wet season (April through September). A farm like Suarez Farms would likely schedule plantings around both windows.

SeasonMonthsTypical crops
Cool seasonOctober – MarchLettuce, kale, collards, strawberries, broccoli, carrots, herbs, tomatoes (transplanted in Oct/Nov)
Warm/wet seasonApril – SeptemberSummer squash, cucumbers, peppers, sweet corn, sweet potatoes, southern peas, melons
Year-round (perennial)All yearCitrus, tropical herbs, some pepper varieties

Tomatoes are a special case in Florida: the best production window runs from late October through December (fall crop) and again from late January through April (spring crop). Summer heat and humidity bring disease pressure that makes tomato production very difficult between June and September, so most experienced Central Florida growers skip that window entirely.

How to verify what Suarez Farms is actually growing right now

Because Suarez Farms' public listings don't include a detailed crop inventory, confirming current plantings takes a little legwork. Here's the most reliable way to do it:

  1. Check their direct contact: Search for Suarez Farms LLC in Clermont, FL to find a current phone number or email from a business directory. A quick call to the farm is the fastest way to confirm what's in season.
  2. Look up the Lake County, FL Extension Office: The UF/IFAS Extension in Lake County (Tavares, FL) keeps records of registered farms and sometimes maintains crop reporting databases. They can often point you to a farm's current production focus.
  3. Search the Florida Department of Agriculture's farm directory: FDACS maintains a database of licensed farms and agricultural operations in Florida. Searching 'Suarez Farms Clermont' there may surface registered crop categories.
  4. Check local farmers markets in the Clermont or Minneola area: If Suarez Farms sells direct-to-consumer, their market booth or social media pages (Facebook and Instagram are common for small Florida farms) will show exactly what's available week by week.
  5. Look for CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) listings: Sites like Local Harvest or Harvest to Table aggregate Florida CSA farm listings, and if Suarez Farms runs a CSA, the produce box contents will tell you the full crop list.
  6. Search recent news or business filings: The Bizprofile entry for Suarez Farms LLC shows annual reports through early 2025, which may include business activity codes that narrow down the crop categories.

Keep in mind that small farms frequently rotate crops year to year based on market prices, weather, and pest pressure. What Suarez Farms grew in 2024 may differ from 2026, so any static list (including this one) should be treated as a starting point, not a definitive inventory.

Soil, climate, and water needs for Central Florida farm crops

Close-up of sandy raised farm bed soil with drip irrigation lines and slightly damp soil near the tubing.

If you want to understand why certain crops succeed at a farm like this, it helps to look at the core growing requirements and how Clermont's environment meets them.

Soil

Lake County soils are mostly Entisols and Spodosols, meaning sandy, low-organic-matter ground that drains fast. This is great for avoiding root rot and waterlogging, but it means fertility leaches out quickly. Productive farms in this area typically apply regular compost, cover crops (like cowpeas or sorghum-sudangrass), and balanced fertilizers. Soil pH in the 6.0 to 6.5 range is ideal for most vegetables; Florida's native sandy soils often run slightly acidic, so lime applications are common.

Climate

Sunlit farm field beside a simple planting calendar card showing warm-season crop timing

Clermont averages about 233 sunny days per year and has a long frost-free window of roughly 300 days. That means most warm-season crops can be grown for two full cycles annually. Summer heat (daily highs of 90 to 94°F from June through August) combined with high humidity creates significant disease and pest pressure, especially for nightshades and cucurbits. Farms manage this with resistant varieties, fungicide programs, and row covers.

Water

Florida's wet season delivers most of the annual rainfall in heavy afternoon thunderstorms, but those can be inconsistent week to week. Drip irrigation is the standard for vegetable production in this region because it conserves water, keeps foliage dry (reducing fungal disease), and can deliver fertigation (fertilizer through the irrigation line) efficiently. Water management permits from the St. Johns River Water Management District govern usage for farms in this part of Central Florida.

Want to grow similar crops? Here's where to start

If you're inspired by what a Central Florida operation like Suarez Farms grows and want to replicate it in your own region, the process starts with matching your local conditions to the crops' requirements rather than just copying a crop list. If you are wondering what Cuba grows, the main crops are largely shaped by its warm tropical climate and long growing season what does cuba grow.

  1. Find your USDA hardiness zone and your state's average last frost date — this tells you which crops are safe to plant outdoors and when.
  2. Get a basic soil test from your local cooperative extension office. For under $20, you'll know your pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels and get specific amendment recommendations.
  3. Match crops to your seasons: cool-season growers (lettuce, kale, broccoli, carrots) need soil temps below 75°F to germinate well; warm-season crops (tomatoes, squash, peppers, cucumbers) need soil temps of at least 60°F and prefer 70 to 85°F.
  4. Plan your irrigation early: Florida-style sandy soils and hot summers demand consistent watering. If your soil is also sandy, drip tape is worth the investment over overhead sprinklers.
  5. Start with two or three crops you know have strong local demand or personal use, then expand. Tomatoes, squash, and peppers are reliable entry points for warm climates; lettuce and kale work well for cool-season starts.
  6. Check with your state's extension service for region-specific variety recommendations. Florida uses varieties like 'Tribute' strawberry, 'Solar Fire' tomato, and 'Athena' cantaloupe that are bred for heat tolerance and disease resistance — your region will have its own equivalents.

If you're located in a Caribbean or tropical climate similar to Central Florida, the crop logic transfers well. For gardeners looking for the best crops to grow in Puerto Rico, use similar warm-season and subtropical planting strategies to match your local rainfall and heat crop logic transfers well. Regions like Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Costa Rica share overlapping warm-season crop profiles with southern Florida, including tomatoes, peppers, sweet potatoes, and tropical root vegetables, though their specific variety selections and irrigation practices differ based on rainfall patterns and elevation. Understanding what farms like Suarez Farms grow in Florida gives you a useful benchmark for what's possible in comparable subtropical zones.

The bottom line: Suarez Farms in Clermont most likely grows a rotation of warm-season vegetables, cool-season greens, and possibly citrus, all of which fit perfectly with Central Florida's climate and soil. If you are wondering what El Salvador grows, you can use a similar climate-and-soil approach to understand which crops tend to thrive there. If you're wondering what Costa Rica grows, look for similar warm-season staples like vegetables plus fruits that match its tropical climate. The fastest way to confirm the exact current crop list is a direct phone call to the farm or a check of their social media. And if you're planning to grow similar crops yourself, a soil test and a local extension guide are your two most useful first steps.

FAQ

Is the Clermont, Florida Suarez Farms the same company as the one tied to rice (palay) conversion?

No. The article indicates there are separate Suarez Farms entities, one focused on produce in Clermont, FL and another on palay and rice. If you are verifying crops, confirm which legal entity, address, and operation name you are looking at, since a rice-focused business would not match vegetable or citrus plantings.

Can I treat the listed crops as guaranteed Suarez Farms plantings this year?

No. The body explains that farms rotate year to year based on market prices, weather, and pest pressure. A crop that was common in one season or year may be replaced by different vegetables the next cycle, even if the farm stays in the same location.

What is the best time of year to check for evidence of tomatoes on a Central Florida farm like this?

For production timing, the article notes tomatoes are most feasible in two windows, late October through December, and late January through April. If you try to confirm current plantings via photos or observations, prioritize those months rather than the June to September period when disease pressure makes tomatoes much less practical.

Why might cucumbers, squash, or peppers be more visible than citrus around this address?

Vegetable rows tend to be seasonal and actively managed, so they show up more clearly during peak growing windows. Citrus can be harder to confirm quickly from public listings because it is perennial, and visible canopy can look similar across months even when management changes.

What crops are easiest to confirm without relying on a full crop inventory?

Look for crops that are both regionally standard and visually distinct in the landscape, like tomatoes (trellised vines in season), cucurbits (vines and leaves), and leafy greens (dense, short canopy). The article emphasizes that you may not find a published crop list, so visual confirmation during the correct season is often the quickest path.

How do soil type and drainage affect what this kind of farm can grow?

Lake County’s sandy, fast-draining soils favor crops that tolerate frequent watering schedules, but they also leach nutrients quickly. That is why farms typically rely on drip irrigation plus compost or cover crops, so crop choices and fertility management are tightly linked in sandy conditions.

If the farm uses drip irrigation, does that change which vegetables are most likely?

Yes. Drip irrigation supports efficient fertigation and helps keep foliage drier, which reduces fungal disease pressure. That makes warm-season vegetables that need consistent moisture and nutrient delivery, such as tomatoes and many cucurbits, more workable in Florida’s humid summers.

What is a practical step-by-step way to verify current crops for Suarez Farms right now?

Use a two-step approach: first, check recent posts or announcements from the farm’s official channels during the relevant planting window (cool season or warm season). Second, call and ask what is currently being harvested and what is planned for the next 30 to 60 days, not just what they grew last year.

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