When to plant your vegetables can be essential to a successful crop. Planting your vegetables from seed can give you a continuous supply of fresh, organic produce. Not to mention, it’s rewarding and good for your wellbeing.
It can be more economical to plant vegetables from seed instead of buying them as seedlings or plug plants. This also gives you the opportunity to try different kinds of vegetables. With such a large variety to pick from, it can be hard to decide where to start.
If you want to start a kitchen garden or grow some vegetables in containers, this vegetable calendar can help you get started.
LEARN THE BASICS
Every plant needs light, water, soil, and nutrients to stay alive.
Light:
Most vegetables need at least 6 hours of full sun to grow properly. Veggies like lettuce and spinach can tolerate partial shade, but root crops like carrots and beets will do better in an area that only gets morning sun.
Soil:
One of the most important elements for growing healthy vegetables is having loose, well-draining soil that efficiently delivers water and nutrients to the root zone. Soil that is too compacted or has too much clay can cause standing water, which then results in root rot and other diseases. Meanwhile, Sandy soil can cause water and nutrients to drain out too quickly.
You can improve your soil by doing a soil test to see what it needs. You can add organic materials such as compost, manure, and worm castings to improve drainage, texture, and fertility. If your soil is of poor quality, you may want to consider adding raised beds and using a pre-made soil mix.
Water:
The best way to ensure that your vegetable plants are healthy is to water them consistently. Water seedlings lightly and frequently to encourage root growth. When plants are bigger, water them less often but for longer periods of time to encourage deep root growth. Be careful not to water your plants too much, as this can lead to root rot and fungal diseases. Not watering your plants enough can cause stunted growth and poor yields.
To determine if your plants need watering, stick your finger down into the soil. If it feels dry 2-4 inches down, then it’s time to water. Plants will need more water during heat or dry spells.
Nutrients:
All plants require nutrients to prosper, the key nutrients being phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium. If you’re unsure of what your plants need, many pre-packaged fertilizers exist that are specifically designed for vegetables.
Soil pH:
A plant’s nutrient absorption depends on whether the soil is more acidic or more alkaline, which is measured on a scale of 1-14. Most vegetables prefer soil that is neutral, but some prefer soil that is more acidic or more alkaline.
You should test your soil’s pH before planting. Pre-made soil mixes are usually properly balanced for the first growing season. You can adjust pH by adding lime to make the soil more alkaline, or sulphur to make it more acidic.
Keep it organic:
Farmers should avoid using chemical fertilizers and pest or disease controls to prevent contamination of food.
PICK A SITE
Choose a site:
You only need a small area that gets at least six hours of sunlight to grow your own vegetables. If you don’t have space for a garden, you can grow vegetables in containers on a deck or balcony, or in different parts of your yard. For example, you could put a tomato plant in a plastic tub on a patio, edge a pathway with lettuce, or grow peas in a hanging basket.
GARDEN BEDS
A vegetable garden can be planted in flat or raised rows. Raised soil will warm up quicker in the spring and provide better drainage. For best sun exposure, make rows that run north to south, and create pathways in between for easy access. Place taller plants, such as corn and trellised pole beans, on the north side so they don’t cast shade on smaller plants.
RAISED BEDS
This is a great option for beginners as it is more efficient and manageable. Boxes made of wood, plastic, or metal can be filled with a commercial soil mix. The advantages of doing this include: the soil warms up faster, the drainage is better, the yields are higher, and there is less maintenance. You can build the beds yourself or choose a pre-made kit.
CONTAINERS
Fruits and vegetables can be grown in small spaces by using containers on a patio, deck, or balcony. Some plants, such as peas, lettuce, eggplant, and dwarf tomatoes, can even be grown in hanging baskets or upside-down planters. The following tips can help you be successful in growing fruits and vegetables in containers.
GROW UP
Some plants can be grown up a trellis or other support in order to save space and increase production. These plants include peas, pole beans, cucumbers, zucchini, and tomatoes.
DECIDE WHAT TO GROW
Grow what you like:
Make a list of vegetables that you will actually consume and whether you want to preserve any excess.
Start small:
What are the fewest number of varieties of plants you think you could grow? Stick to these so you don’t have too much to manage.
Make a garden plan:
Make a plan for your garden by drawing it out on paper and creating a schedule for when to plant. You can also use a garden planner to keep track of when to fertilize and replant.
Do your homework:
Learn about the vegetables you want to plant, as well as which ones grow well together (companion planting). Look for information online and in gardening books. The websites of seed companies often include growing information. For more specific details about your region, ask your local garden center or university extension service.
Attract pollinators:
If you want to attract pollinating insects, plant flowers like marigolds and nasturtiums nearby. Pollination is essential for the growth of vegetables. Some plants can pollinate themselves, but others need bees and other insects to spread pollen.
DETERMINE WHEN TO PLANT
JANUARY
Assuming you want a summary: January is a good time to plan your vegetable garden for the year by looking through seed catalogs and making a plan of your plot.
You can get a head start on your growing season by planting some things under cover.
For a larger crop, grow onions from seed rather than sets. Plant onions under cover in a greenhouse in January and February.
FEBRUARY
Though the weather is unpredictable in February, there are some vegetables, including hardy vegetables, that can be sown under cover in the greenhouse or on a warm windowsill to start the growing season.
Tomatoes can be sowed in a propagator in late February for the best chance of growing in a greenhouse. Planting in seed trays or individual pots will give fewer plants.
Sow pepper seeds indoors from February to March. Plant the seeds in pots or seed trays, and place them in a heated propagator or on a sunny windowsill, covering the pots or tray with a plastic bag.
You can grow eggplants, or aubergines, in a greenhouse by sowing seeds in individual pots in February and planting them out in April. Alternatively, you can sow from January if you’re cultivating in a heated greenhouse. If you’re transplanting outside, sow seeds undercover in March and plant out once the risk of frost has passed in later May.
MARCH
Joanne Suttles In areas with milder climates and lighter, sandier soil, March is the time when you can begin to sow some vegetable seeds outside, according to gardening expert Leigh Clapp. Heavier clay soil will benefit from the addition of organic matter to help the soil retain moisture. In cooler regions, outdoor sowing may be a little later.
Plant pumpkin seeds indoors in March or April, and transplant the seedlings outdoors after the last frost in May. Or, sow the seeds directly in the garden in late May, after the risk of frost has passed.
If you want to grow cucumbers in a greenhouse, now is the time to sow the seeds ½–¾in deep in small pots. Be sure to do some research on how to grow cucumbers before you begin.
APRIL
The vegetable garden is busiest in April as that is when the outdoor sowing season is in full swing.
Make sure to label your plantings with the vegetable variety and date as you go. If planting directly, avoid stepping on freshly dug soil, and instead use boards to stand on.
To get the best results from sweetcorn seeds, start them indoors under glass in mid-April to early May, then transplant them outdoors in late May to early June.
MAY
The month of May is still a busy time for planting vegetable seeds. By the middle of May, the risk of frost has usually passed in the UK, which means you can start planting half-hardy annuals and begin to harden off tender vegetables grown under cover. These vegetables include courgettes, pumpkins, and French beans.
Use a hoe to make a shallow drill about 1cm deep and 30cm apart in rows. Sow three seeds in each place and thin to the best plant when they have germinated. To grow pumpkins, sow the seeds directly in the area where they are to grow in late May or early June. Cover the seeds with cloches to give them the best start, as they grow best in warm weather. Use a hoe to make a shallow drill about 1cm deep and 30cm apart in rows. Sow three seeds in each place and thin to the best plant when they have germinated.
JUNE
In June, you can continue to sow radish, salad, and carrots successively, as well as directly sow zucchini, beetroot, peas, French beans, and parsnips.
Pick regularly once the bulbs have reached a good size Sow fennel seeds in late June in moist, fertile soil. Thin the plants to one per 10in (25cm), spaced 18in (45cm) apart. Water during dry spells, and pick the bulbs when they reach a good size.
JULY
This is the last month you’ll be able to sow French beans, and you can also plant winter leeks in their final position. Some vegetables grow quickly and can still be sown this month, including radish, spring onions, and beetroot.
There is a lot of harvesting to be done in July, including carrots, radish, beetroot, chard, peas, salad leaves, broad beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, and more!
To grow spring cabbage, sow the seeds in July and August in seed beds. Transplant the seedlings to their final positions in September and October. The cabbages will be ready to pick the following spring.
AUGUST
Your vegetable plot will produce a lot of food in August, but you can still plant vegetables that will grow in winter, such as spinach, kohl rabi, and spring cabbage. You can also plant winter salad leaves.
august is a good time to sow a second crop of spinach.
When growing spinach, it is best to sow the seeds in early spring or late summer/early fall. This is because spinach is a cool season crop and can go to seed very easily in the heat.
SEPTEMBER
Lamb’s lettuce, mustard greens, ‘Winter Gem’ lettuce, arugula, and oriental leaves such as mibuna and mizuna are all examples of hardy salads that will continue to grow during the winter months.
The best time to sow these seeds is early fall, when the soil is still warm. You can sow them in seed trays or directly into finely raked soil.
You can also continue to make sowings of chard.
OCTOBER
Garlic can be planted in October. It is best to plant garlic from sets rather than seed. Planting garlic in autumn allows for a cold spell to stimulate growth. Some varieties can be planted in early spring.
NOVEMBER
In November, the temperature drops and there are fewer things that can be planted, but there are still plenty of things that can be harvested, including Brassica plants like kale, cabbage, Brussel sprouts, and kalettes.
This text is telling us that we can lift root vegetables including carrots, parsnips, beetroots, and celeriac. We can also pick hardy salad leaves.
You can grow asparagus by planting in the fall, which will help give the crop a head start.
DECEMBER
In December, it’s a good idea to plan what crops you will grow in the coming year. take advantage of cool, crisp winter days to prepare your soil for the growing season. Make note of what worked well in the past year and plan your crop rotations accordingly.
Winter salad seeds can be grown outside in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse. If you live in a milder climate, you can grow the seeds in the ground and use cloches to protect them if temperatures dip dramatically.
December is the last month you can plant garlic for the fall.
If you live in a climate with mild weather and your soil drains well, you can plant sets directly. They don’t grow well in waterlogged soil.
WHAT MONTH DO YOU PLANT VEGETABLES?
There are vegetables that you can plant throughout the year, depending on the climate and growing zone that you are in. You can use a vegetable planting calendar as a helpful tool to plan when to plant vegetables. The last frost date in your area will also affect when you plant vegetables.
