Planting a vegetable garden at the right time depends on climate. Most vegetables need 6-8 hours of sun each day in order to thrive successfully.
Locate a site in full sun. Vegetables thrive best in soil that drains well; moist conditions can rot seeds and transplants quickly. Furthermore, ensure there is access to regular irrigation from an accessible water source.
Spring
As winter gradually recedes, vegetable gardeners are beginning to consider planting season. If starting their vegetables from seed, peruse garden catalogs and compile a list of what will be required – including seeds and transplants – prior to ordering; popular varieties tend to sell out fast!
If you are shopping for seedlings, it is advisable to ask experienced neighbors for guidance. Being local, they will have an edge over online sources in judging if a plant will thrive in your climate or not.
While most vegetables can be planted anytime during spring, it is wise to plant cool-season crops early so they have time to mature before summer heat sets in. Otherwise, they may struggle through it and fail to yield full yields.
Radishes are fast-growing vegetables that should be planted as soon as the soil can be worked in spring, yet waiting too late in the season to do so could leave them struggling through an extended summer and produce less-than-desirable flavor.
Carrots, spinach and kale are among the many quick-growing frost-tolerant veggies you should sow in spring – either direct sowing in the ground or starting them indoors. From mid to late March onwards you can also plant broccoli, cauliflower cabbage collards either indoors or outdoors. Additionally, you can sow okra and basil indoors or outdoors and plant peppers, eggplants, Swiss chard and tomatillos. Starting early to mid April you can direct sow successions of radish, beet, carrot and potato slips outdoors for early harvests. Outdoor sowing of kale and turnips is also ideal at this time, since both varieties can tolerate cold temperatures while harvesting can occur before summer heat arrives. Be sure to work the soil beforehand, adding nitrogen-rich organic material such as fish emulsion for optimal results.
Summer
Growing vegetables in either your backyard plot or containers on your porch is possible year-round with careful planning based on climate and gardening zone considerations as well as understanding each crop’s individual requirements.
Summer vegetables require plenty of sunlight and warm soil for successful germination and healthy development. To ensure you’re providing them with optimal conditions, prepare your garden beds by amending the soil with organic compost or shredded leaves – this will add nutrients while helping retain moisture levels if planting a quick-drying crop like beans.
When applying an organic fertilizer, be sure to follow its application instructions exactly and wait until your plants have taken root before applying any additional doses. This will prevent chemicals from leaching into the groundwater and compromising the ecosystem that supports your gardens.
Weather may be hot, but now is still an excellent time to sow seeds of crops that thrive in this type of heat. Keep in mind that soil temperature must be optimal for successful germination; please refer to individual crop planting guides for guidance.
Vegetables that prefer hot conditions should be sown periodically to maintain an endless harvest. Try sowing bush beans, beets or lettuce every two weeks from July through August for an abundant summer harvest. Additionally, mid to late summer crops such as carrots and radishes should also be planted as fall crops.
Sweet corn is an essential summertime vegetable garden staple, yet requires both water and fertilizer in abundance to produce sweet ears with great taste. Be sure to plant multiple rows so as to guarantee cross-pollination for the highest flavor and yields.
Getting ready to plant seeds this year? Now is an ideal time to browse catalogs and websites in search of varieties you wish to plant, be on the lookout for those offering disease resistance, enhanced flavor or other advantages over tried-and-true heirloom varieties. It’s also wise to think ahead to your garden next season by drawing out its layout for beds and containers.
Fall
Many of the same vegetables that flourish during spring and summer can also be harvested in fall thanks to cool temperatures that make for ideal picking conditions. Furthermore, since their growing seasons are briefer you can harvest frequently or stagger plantings for fresh harvests throughout autumn and winter.
To create an autumn garden, follow the same steps you would for spring and summer gardening: remove existing plants, loosen and till soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches, amend with organic matter as necessary and incorporate plenty of compost before applying a complete fertilizer. If you have been using mulch on vegetable beds previously, continue this practice during autumn as it helps regulate soil temperatures while simultaneously decreasing weed growth – both issues which become especially troublesome during this season.
Spinach, arugula and frost-tolerant leafy greens such as kale and collard greens will benefit from planting early, even as early as August. You can sow carrots, beets and turnips in fall as long as their harvest date can accommodate longer days to maturity in cold temperatures – just add an extra week or so for safe harvest.
If you want your broccoli or cauliflower crop to mature before frost arrives, sow seeds in late summer at least 10 weeks prior to your average first frost date. Keep in mind that these veggies prefer cooler temperatures so plant at nighttime or cover your plants during the day with a cloche to protect their warmth.
Add Brussels sprouts and carrots to the list of fall vegetable crops for harvest within eight weeks, such as cool-season crops. Be sure to plant these veggies directly in the ground, not containers; pelletized carrot seeds help retain moisture more effectively while germinating faster than uncoated seeds. Finally, adding mulch provides temperature stability while protecting root systems from cold temperatures.
Winter
Some areas of the country offer the possibility for growing vegetables all winter, though this takes careful planning and preparation to be successful. Different plants adapt better to cold temperatures than others; it’s best to select wisely what to grow at what time, then plant accordingly.
Winter gardening often includes sowing and growing many of the same vegetables you have access to during Summer and Fall, with leafy greens such as kale and collards being particularly successful choices due to their ability to withstand any kind of climate while remaining flavorful and providing plenty of essential vitamins and minerals.
If you plan on growing your own leafy greens, plant seeds in late summer or sow module trays and transplant when ready into your garden. In areas that experience winter, planting these vegetables around October is typically recommended.
Winter gardening presents several unique challenges, the biggest of which being insects. While warm-weather pests typically vanish as temperatures cool off, other forms of infestation may emerge and need treating as soon as seen. Therefore, it’s crucial that gardeners keep an eye out for any issues and act promptly on any that emerge.
Winter gardening poses an additional difficulty: water availability. Vegetables don’t need as frequent irrigation when the sun doesn’t shine; however, you must still provide sufficient moisture for plants not to become overly dry or go dormant. Drip or soaker irrigation systems work best as these deliver direct moisture directly into the soil.
Use planting charts specific to your region as a resource to determine when is best to sow vegetables in your garden. By studying these charts carefully, you will soon have an abundant and nourishing home vegetable garden!