Step one in growing vegetables for yourself or your family should be to identify which varieties they prefer eating, then plant successive rounds of those favorites in succession to increase harvesting potential.
Remember that different seeds must be planted at specific temperatures and that some tender veggies such as courgettes, pumpkins and tomatoes need to be hardened off prior to being planted outdoors – such as hardening off.
Spring
Springtime is the time to work your soil and sow vegetable seeds, while also planting frost-tolerant varieties like kale, kohlrabi (available in both white and purple versions), beets, radishes, spinach, turnips and lettuce.
These plants must be planted early so they have time to bloom as soon as the weather warms up, with regular watering and an adequate supply of nutrients. To ensure they receive enough hydration, amending soil with compost or organic matter before planting will help retain moisture, encouraging proper circulation of oxygen and nutrients to their roots.
Soil must also be well-draining to allow adequate air and water circulation for these vegetables, with sufficient mulch covering to insulate root systems from any sudden temperature shifts. For optimal results, add organic matter to your garden bed in fall before sowing any seeds for planting vegetables.
Plant your first crops of the season between mid and late March. These include snap push, snap pole and lima pole varieties of beans; collards; sweet corn; cucumber; eggplant; lettuce; radiish; southern peas and pepper.
As spring progresses, you can start planting warm-season veggies like okra, melons, squash and tomatoes in greenhouses or hot houses from seed. They should only be transplanted outdoors when soil temperatures have warmed sufficiently and frost risks have subsided.
Growing vegetables during spring can also include brussel sprouts and cabbage, both of which should be planted directly in your garden from April through May or transplanted until late June depending on when you want to enjoy these delights at their best. Cauliflower also needs to be transplanted after initial seed sowing for optimal success.
Summer
Gardeners in June should continue direct sowing any cool-season vegetables, plus eggplants and peppers, before transplanting squash and melons (green and yellow zucchini, crookneck melons, straightneck melons), tomatoes, sweet potatoes as well as okra, southern peas, pumpkins or any of their favorites such as okra southern peas pumpkins as okra southern peas pumpkins; consistently warm soil temperatures as well as adequate moisture is key in order for these heat loving crops to flourish successfully allowing speed growth as well as fruiting. Soil thermometers help measure this data, with warm soil temperatures needed by each heat loving crop as heat-loving crops grow more quickly in warmer environments and provide consistent moisture that promotes faster growth as well.
Sow quickly-growing vegetable plants directly in your garden in July. Carrots, radishes and beetroot are ideal candidates. Sow quickly-developing salad leaves such as kale, mustard greens, Winter Gem lettuce or oriental leaves like mibuna and mizuna as well. Also sow chard seeds late July for autumn harvest; overwintered sowings may even provide winter use! Thin out seedlings as they emerge and water during dry spells to maintain optimal results.
As temperatures increase, mulching the vegetable garden is an excellent way to retain soil temperature, prevent weed growth and decrease evaporation from the surface of the soil. Furthermore, regular application of liquid organic products such as fish emulsion will boost nutrient uptake and promote vigorous plant growth.
Garlic should be planted in October; hardy varieties can also be started from sets sown in spring. Now is also an ideal time to sow seed trays of broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale and collards for an early fall crop; Louisiana gardeners may sow okra bean seed directly in their gardens as well as planting beet and Irish potato seeds in seed trays in order to grow transplants for late fall or early winter plantings; South Louisiana gardeners can sow fava beans seeds directly in October; these require cold temperatures before germinating before protecting with cloches against frost! Finally, don’t neglect regular weeding or pest monitoring; regularly picking up and discard fallen or diseased produce to discourage pests from overwintering in your garden!
Fall
Cool-season vegetables add quick harvests for salads and soups while providing winter meals with nutritious roots. As days shorten and temperatures fall, leafy veggies take longer to mature compared to in summer; but with proper planning and protection they still yield delicious harvests come autumn.
Kale and collard greens are great vegetables to plant this fall. Both varieties are extremely cold-hardy and their flavor actually improves with light frosts, so seed or transplant them as soon as mid to late summer to harvest in 60 days – ideal for soups and stews as well as creative recipes like making delicious kale chips!
Mustard greens are another fast-maturing favorite. Sow seeds in early autumn or purchase seedlings in late summer to plant in early autumn, and be ready for harvest within several weeks! Cold hardy varieties mean harvests can continue even through winter in some regions.
Turnips are a reliable and hardy root vegetable that add both sweetness and crunch to salads and stir fry dishes. Turnips require about one month to reach maturity; seeds can be planted directly or you can purchase seedlings at your garden center.
Kohlrabi is an underappreciated vegetable that adds crunch and crunchiness to salads and other recipes. Easy to grow from seeds or purchased as young plants from garden centers early fall, kohlrabi provides an inexpensive source of crunch.
Peas are typically associated with spring planting, but you can plant them in late summer as well. Sow seeds or purchase seedlings and sow by late July for sweet snap peas in about 30 days; try snow peas for more delicate flavors; for those living in cold climates try Austrian winter peas which are among the more frost-tolerant varieties.
Prior to the first frost, sow beets, carrots, parsnips and other hardy root vegetables into the ground. Protecting them with row covers or cloches may extend their growing season beyond winter’s first freeze.
Winter
Many gardeners assume their vegetable gardens become dormant once temperatures become cold and dark. With careful planning and preparation, however, you can continue growing produce even during winter. A number of crops thrive well under cooler temperatures and frosty conditions seen during autumn and winter.
Planting cool-season vegetables such as kale, collard greens, mizuna, arugula, spinach and mustard greens in fall or spring can provide leafy delights throughout wintertime. Brassicas such as Brussel sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower also thrive under cloche or row cover during extreme cold conditions.
Beets and radishes can both survive the winter with ease if harvested as baby greens or left in the ground to mature into sweet root vegetables. Broad beans can also be planted late fall/early spring for harvest in late winter/early spring; finally, slow-growing vitamin-rich fennel makes an excellent winter choice when protected against freezing temperatures with mulch and protection from freezing temperatures.
When starting a winter veggie garden, it is crucial to understand your growing zone and conduct sufficient research. Speak to gardening friends, local college horticulture departments and seed catalogs about which varieties are cold-hardy enough.
Winter vegetable growing requires adequate moisture and nutrition. Since microorganism activity in the soil decreases during this season, adding compost or other organic material such as mulch to planting beds before beginning veggie cultivation may help. Since soil temperatures will be lower than during the summer season, use soaker hose or drip irrigation systems directly provide water directly to plant roots for successful vegetable cultivation. When the sun returns and temperatures warm back up again, be sure to inspect regularly for signs of weeds or insects in order to promote nutrient rich winter veggies!