This is the latest USDA zone map.

Carol

{{gwi:193333}}

Those are probably the transplant set dates you mentioned. Tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers need a long time to grow to transplant size. Cucumbers, melons, beans, and other big seed things can be planted directly in the ground.

You can probably grow all year long. It depends on what you are growing. Not much makes it through the summer but you are doing right by planning a fall garden and then a winter garden you grow cool weather crops......lettuce, brocoli, cabbage, spinach, cauliflower.
You can get good information from your county extention office on what and when to plant for your area

Thanks for the info guys.

So large seed plants, like cukes can be sowed directly to soil at the same time as transfer of say a tomato plant. So if for planting date for a specific strain of tomato says for my zone to plant in August, that literally means that an already established plant should then be transplanted in the garden. So I would start the seed indoors in july?

The way I start seeds, or at least the way I did this past march was I germinated everything in individual little cups of soil outside on a window sill that protects from rain and after they grow for a little while I transplant to their final resting place.

As of now I grow strictly out of containers.

Hmmm, according to the new map, Pinellas Co. is now considered zone 10a...?

& I tend to use the guide for seed-sowing, & sometimes fudge it by a week or so either way. Of course transplants can be put in any time during those periods as well.

Pinellas Co. Extension Svc is just off Ulmerton Rd, next to Heritage Village & they have some wonderful gardens to show you what can be done, along w/ lotsa freebies & smart folks to talk to...

Here is a link that might be useful: Pinellas County Extension

I would start the seeds outside if you can. I think they will grow alot better and faster. August seems awefully early for tomatoes to me. The ag center is the best bet for correct advice.