You'd get more specific info for your location over on the Florida Gardening forum here. But in general, variety makes no difference. Folks in FL also grow those same varieties. It is your planting times, potential soil issues (like nematodes), and pest/disease issues that has changed the most.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/flgard

Dave

Hi Katherine! If starting from seed, many start at the end of august. Lazy gardener that I am, I get started more at the end of September/early October. Assuming we have a mild winter, you'll likely be able to plant now and grow through the end of Spring. If you wait, you can also plant early in Spring and grow until it gets too hot. Last year we had a very mild winter and kept the same tomatoes going from September to April, I think. If you are getting indeterminates plan for massive plants. We use cages and 8ft stakes and our plants generally want to grow well above that height. I am partial to black tomatoes and Black Krim and Black Cherry are my favorites for massive healthy plants and lots of tasty tomatoes. Cherokee Purple did fantastic last year and we are growing them again this year. We are by USF and go to their fall plant sale every year and pick up a few interesting varieties. This year we are trying Vernissage and Black Beauty. Last year we picked up Indigo Apple which gave us an incredible amounts of fruit and are super cool looking but were comparable to your average store bought tomatoes in taste.

Katherine

Here is the Florida gardening guide.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vh021

Very envious of those still gardening in November!

Meanwhile I am envious of people in the north due to lower humidity, less pests and no root knot nematodes. I personally feel it's much harder to grow tomatoes down here. I go to Ohio and my family members who have virtual zero gardening skill can grow tomatoes with ease.

I think many gardeners in Florida start seeds indoor just before or beginning of September and transplant late October when it cools down a little. That may be better for zone 9.

My experience can only be applied for zone 10b, I feel it's still too hot in October with lots of pests around. So far I've been transplanting in early November. Sometimes I go for a second round and start more seedlings in December and transplant after New Year, usually the earlier varieties.

I'm not fond of buying tomato plants from nursery anymore because of diseases.