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Gardening when to plant vegetables


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(Image credit: Dougal Waters / Getty Imabges)

Knowing when to plant vegetables is essential if you’re looking to grow your own edibles. Growing your own vegetables from seed is a great way to give a supply of fresh organic produce as part of a healthy diet, but it is also highly rewarding and good for wellbeing. 

While you can buy seedlings and plug plants from garden centres and online suppliers, planting vegetables from seed is the most economical way of growing produce, plus it also offers the opportunity to try all sorts of different vegetable varieties. However, with a dazzling array to choose from, it can be tricky to know where to begin.

Whether you’re in the process of creating a kitchen garden or simply want to grow a few veggies in containers on your patio or balcony space, this handy vegetable calendar will help get your kitchen garden ideas get off to the best start.

(Image credit: Leigh Clapp)

When to plant vegetables – points to consider

Planning when to plant vegetables can be confusing as there are a huge array of vegetable garden ideas, plus there are vegetables that can be planted in every month of the year, right through from January to December.  

A vegetable calendar is a great place to start when planning a kitchen garden as it will help you know when to buy seeds so that you don’t miss out on growing your favorite vegetables, plus will it help you organize crop rotations on your patch. It is also a handy source of inspiration for what to plant.

Exactly when to plant vegetables will depend on your climate and weather conditions, so while a vegetable calendar is a handy guide planning tool, it is also important to keep a tab on temperates in your region. 

Throughout the gardening year it's a good idea to note down key information on weather conditions to help build your own personal vegetable planting calendar. The last frost date is particularly useful for gauging when to start sowing and planting out tender crops. 

The temperature of the soil is a key factor in the germination of seeds, and different seeds germinate at different temperatures, so consider buying a soil thermometer to check the temperature is right for sowing.

Different varieties of the same type of vegetable can have different sowing and planting times, so always refer to the instructions on the seed packet. 

(Image credit: Future/Annaick Guitteny)

January

With the ground still very cold, January is a quiet time for sowing and planting vegetables, so this is the perfect opportunity to plan for the year ahead. Take time to look through seed catalogues and make a plan of your plot.

However, there are some things that can be planted under cover to get your growing season off to a head start.

Onions – if growing from seed then onions can be planted under cover in a greenhouse in January and February. While growing onions from sets (immature onion bulbs) is often the easiest method, knowing how to grow onions from seed may be useful as it is a more economical way of growing them if you are looking for a larger crop.

Potatoes - For those keen on learning how to grow potatoes then January is the time when you can begin the process by chitting your Early potato varieties. Chitting encourages potatoes to sprout prior to planting and is usually done 6 weeks before seed potatoes are planted into beds. 

Lay seed potatoes in a tray – egg boxes are often used – with their eyes point up and leave in a light, cool, frost-free place. When the shoots are 1/2-1 inch tall (1-2cm) then the potatoes are ready to plant.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

February

The weather is unpredictable in February but there are some vegetable varieties that can be sown under cover in the greenhouse or on a warm windowsill to kick start the growing season including hardy vegetables.

'In February, you can start sowing choices such as broad beans, peas, carrots, onions, the first potatoes and salad crops under cloches,' explains gardening expert Leigh Clapp. 

Edibles that need warmth and are suited to growing in a greenhouse can also be planted under cover in February including tomatoes, peppers, cucumber and eggplant.

With spring around the corner, February is a good time to prepare your beds for the growing season. You can also cover them with a plastic tarpaulin or cardboard to prevent the soil getting waterlogged.

(Image credit: Crocus)

What to plant indoors:

Fava beans – grow fava beans, also known as broad beans, by sowing them indoors into individual pots or modular trays ready for planting out 4-6 weeks later. Alternatively sow directly from March to May or in October to November for an early spring crop. You can also sow directly in February under cloches.

Tomatoes – sow tomatoes in a propagator in late February – this is the best time to sow if you are thinking of growing tomatoes in a greenhouse. Sow in seed trays or in individual pots if you want just a few plants.

Peppers – sow under cover from February until March. Sow seeds into pots or seed trays and place in a heated propagator 65–70°F (18–21°C) or on a sunny window sill covered with a plastic bag.

Eggplant – growing eggplant – or aubergines – in a greenhouse sow seeds in individual pots in February and plant out in April. Alternatively sow from January for cultivation in a heated greenhouse. If transplanting outside, sow seeds undercover in March and plant out once the risk of frost has past in later May.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

What to sow outdoors:

Radish – sow seeds direct where they are to grow in short drills 12 inches (30cm) apart from February until August. Sow little and successively for a continual supply. If sowing in February consider using a cloche. 

(Image credit: Getty Images)

March

In milder regions and areas with light, sandy soil, March is the time when you can begin to sow some vegetable seeds outside. Sandy beds will benefit from the addition of organic matter to help the soil retain moisture. In cooler regions, and areas with heavy clay soil, outdoor sowing may be a little later, explains gardening expert Leigh Clapp.

'Clay soil needs breaking up and takes longer to warm up so suits later crops, whereas light soils are good for early vegetables but will need large quantities of manure and compost to avoid water draining away too rapidly. The ideal is loose, crumbly loam, which absorbs and holds water and nutrients, is well aerated and drains freely.'

If you live in a cooler region you may want to wait until April to begin direct sowing some of the vegetables on this list, however there are vegetable varieties that can be started off in the greenhouse in March, too, including: sweetcorn, spinach, parsnips, leek, kale, cauliflower, beetroot.

You can also continue to sow tomato, eggplant and peppers under cover.

(Image credit: coldsnowstorm / Getty Images)

What to sow indoors:

Pumpkin – sow under cover from March until May or sow direct from late May once frosts have passed.

Cucumber – if you are planning to cultivate cucumbers a greenhouse sow seeds now ½–¾in (1–2cm) deep, in small pots. Be sure to familiarise yourself with how to grow cucumbers before you start out.

Tomatoes – sow seeds under cover in March if you are planning to transplant them outside.

(Image credit: merlinpf / Getty Images)

What to sow outdoors:

Asparagus – plant asparagus crowns in late March and April.

Beetroot – direct sow in rows 12 inches (30cm) apart from March to July for harvesting in as little as 7 weeks. Thin out seedling to 4 inches (10cm) apart at about 1 inch (2.5cm) tall. Sow every few weeks for continual supply.

Broad beans – sow seeds direct outside into rich fertile soil enriched with manure or organic matter. Sow in seeds at 9 inch (23cm) intervals in double rows set 9 inches (23cm) apart, with 24 inches (60cm) between each double row. Be sure to familiarise yourself with how to grow fava beans beforehand.

Leeks – sow leeks in March and April in a prepared seed bed for transplanting to their final position in early summer. Alternatively they can be sown under cover from January to March in modules and placed in a propagator ready for planting out later. Harvest from October to March.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Onions – plant onion sets from mid March to mid April. Alternatively plant from October and November.

Parsnips – direct sow from March to May in a prepared bed in a sunny position. The soil should be friable and stone-free. 

Peas – sow peas direct from March until July for picking from July to October. To grow them outdoors sow in trenches 2 inches (5cm) at around 3 inches (7.5cm) apart. 

There are three types of pea: Early, Second early and maincrop peas, and each is best planted at different times so be sure to research how to grow peas before starting out.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Potatoes – plant chitted First Early potatoes in mid-late March ready for harvesting in 11-13 weeks. When to plant potatoes will depend on what variety they are so be sure to do your research first.

Spinach – sow summer spinach direct from March to June. Sow every three weeks for picking from May to October. Sow thinly in drills 1inch (2.5cm) deep set 12 inches (30cm) apart. 

Spring Onion – sow seeds direct from March until August. Sow thinly in drills every three weeks for a continual supply. Spring onions can be harvested in just 8 weeks from sowing.

(Image credit: Future)

April

April is a busy month in the vegetable garden as it is when the outdoor sowing season gets into full swing. 

Be sure to label your sowings with the vegetable variety and date as you go. If sowing direct avoid treading on freshly dug soil, instead use boards to stand on. 

What to plant indoors:

Zucchini – you can grow zucchini by sowing zucchini seeds in 3 inch (7.5cm) pots and place in a propagator or on a sunny windowsill.

Sweetcorn – for best results sow sweetcorn seeds under glass in mid April and early May and plant out in late May to early June.  

To avoid root disturbance sow in 3 inch pots, sow two seeds about one inch deep. Alternatively sow outdoors in mid May – sow in blocks with 2 seeds every 18 inches and 1 inch deep. 

(Image credit: Getty Images)

What to plant outdoors:

Broccoli – to grow broccoli, sow direct outdoors from May to April. Sow where they are to grow or alternatively sow in a seedbed or under cover, and transplant them to their final position 5-7 weeks after sowing. 

Carrots – If you're wondering how to grow carrots, April is the month to start sowing the seeds outdoors – sow thinly ½in (1cm) deep in rows 6–12in (15–30cm) apart. Ensure the soil is well dug over and raked to a fine tilth – it needs to be free from stones as this can result in forked carrots.

‘For sweet, small carrots, sow every few weeks from early spring to late summer for a successional harvest from June to November,’ says gardening expert Leigh Clapp.  

Alternatively, for an early crop, sow varieties such as 'Nantes' under cloches or in the greenhouse in February and March.

Cabbage – sow winter cabbage April and May. Transplant seedlings to their final position in late June to July and when the plants have 5-6 true leaves.

(Image credit: Miracle Gro)

Cauliflower – sow outdoors in April for transplanting in June. There are three types of cauliflower – spring, summer and autumn and sowing times will vary on what type you choose to grow.

Chard – chard, also known as beet leaf, is a tasty and versatile hardy biennial that can be sown direct from March to September however sowings in April and July are a good way to ensure a continual crop throughout the year. 

'For great-value yielders you can’t beat Swiss chard and perpetual spinach that will crop for a whole year and throughout winter,' says gardening expert Leigh Clapp.

Potatoes – plant Second Early potatoes in early to mid April and maincrop potatoes  in mid to late April.

Salads and lettuce – direct sow rocket, salads and summer lettuce. Or sow from March under cloches.

(Image credit: Leigh Clapp)

May

May continues to be a busy month for sowing vegetable seeds. From mid-May the risk of frost in the UK has usually passed, meaning you can begin to direct sow half-hardy annuals and begin to harden off tender vegetables grown under cover ready for planting outside including courgettes, pumpkin and French beans. 

Hardening off is where tender plants are gradually brought outside to acclimatise them to cooler temperatures. If raised in a heated greenhouse, move plants to an unheated greenhouse for around two weeks before then moving them to a cold frame. 

If you do not have a greenhouse or cold frame then move the plants outside into the sun for a couple of hours a during the day and slowly increase the time period. 

You can continue to direct sow broccoli, cabbage, carrot, parsnip, peas and spinach.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

What to plant outdoors:

French beans – direct sow French beans from May when the risk of frost has passed, or sow under cover from March for transplanting later. Make successive sowing until the end of June for picking until early October.

You'll know when to pick green beans and French beans by the appearance of the crop. The beans should be pencil thin, around 4 inches long, and without any visible bumps along the pod. 

Zucchini – direct sow zucchini outside in late May to June. Plant out courgettes grown under cover from late May but be sure to harden them off beforehand.

Pumpkin – to grow pumpkins, direct sow pumpkin seeds where they are to grow in late May or early June. Pumpkins grow best in warm weather so cover with cloches to give them the best start.

(Image credit: PhotoAlto/Jerome Gorin / Getty Images)

June

In June you can continue to make successive sowings off radish, salad and carrots, as well as direct sow zucchini, beetroot, peas, French beans and parsnips.

What to plant outdoors:

Fennel – Sow seeds direct in late June in fertile, moist soil. Thin to one plant every 10in (25cm) in rows 18in (45cm) apart, and water during dry spells.

Brassicas – direct sow brassicas such as kale cabbage, broccoli and Brussel sprouts for harvesting in winter

(Image credit: Getty Images)

July

July is the last chance to sow French beans and you can also plant out winter winer leeks into their final position. Fast-growing vegetables can still be sown including radish, spring onions and beetroot.

There is plenty of harvesting to be done in July which will keep you busy including, carrots, radish, beetroot, chard, peas, salad leaves, broad beans, tomatoes, cucumbers and more!

(Image credit: Getty Images)

What to sow outside:

Chard – Sowing a second crop of chard in July will give you a fresh supply through autumn. Sowing made in July can also be overwintered for picking the following spring.

Spring cabbage – sow spring cabbage in July and August in seed beds and transplant to their final position in September and October ready for picking the following spring.

Pak choi  – great in soups and salads and easy to grow from seed, pak choi can be harvested in as early as 30 days in baby leaf form or in 45-70 days as semi-mature to full size heads. 

They can be grown outside over winter, providing you with fresh greens all the way through to spring but will benefit from some protection. Sow seeds thinly at a depth of 1/2 an inch (1cm) in rows 15 inches (38cm) apart. The seedlings will need thinning to different distances depending on how mature you want to grow your pak choi.

(Image credit: coldsnowstorm / Getty Images)

August 

In August your vegetable plot will be at its peak with a glut of produce ready for harvest, however there are some things you can plant including winter crops such as spinach, kohl rabi, and spring cabbage as well as winter salad leaves.

(Image credit: Dougal Waters / Getty Images)

What so plant outside:

Spinach – late august is a good time to sow a second crop of spinach. 

Spinach is a cool season crop which can easily go to seeds in the heat, so seeds are best grown in early spring as well as in late summer and early fall. 

It can also be over wintered with protection. For later sowings look for 'long-day' varieties. Check out how to grow spinach for more tips.

Kohl rabi – If sown in August this brassica can be harvested up until November. Sow direct in drills 12 inches (30cm) apart and at a depth of ½in (1cm) deep. Thin out seedlings at 1in 2.5cm tall to a final spacing of 6in 15cm (15cm) apart and keep well watered in hot weather. Pick when between the size of a golf and tennis ball.

(Image credit: The Garden Smallholder)

September

Winter salads – there are many hardy salads that will grow over winter including Lamb’s lettuce, mustard greens, 'Winter Gem' lettuce, arugula and oriental leaves such as mibuna and mizuna.  

Early fall is the perfect time to sow these as the soil is still warm. Seeds can be sown in seed trays or direct into finely raked soil.

You can also continue to make sowings of chard.

(Image credit: Jonathan Buckley for Sarah Raven)

October

What to plant outside:

Garlic – October is when you can start growing garlic. Garlic is often grown from sets rather than seed and is best planted in autumn as it needs a cold spell to stimulate growth. However there are varieties that can be planted in early spring. 

Sets should be purchased from garden centres or specialist mail order supplier and not from the supermarket. There are two main sorts to choose from: hardneck and softneck. 

To sow, split the bulb into cloves and plant in rows 4-6 inches (10-15cm) apart, 1 inch (2.5cm) deep with the pointed end facing up. 

Garlic can rot in waterlogged soil so is you have heavy clay soil consider starting them off in modules finding out more on how to grow garlic will ensure your crop is a success.

Broad beans – if your vegetable garden is in a sheltered position early varieties of broad beans can be planted direct in October for an early crop the following year.

(Image credit: Trine Loklindt EyeEm/Getty Images)

November

As the temperature drops there are little sowings that can be made in November, but there is still plenty of edibles to harvest including brassicas such as kale, cabbage, Brussel sprouts and kalettes. 

Root vegetables can be lifted including the last of the carrots, parsnip, beetroot and celeriac, plus hardy salad leaves can be picked. 

Asparagus – while the crowns are traditionally planted in spring, you can grow asparagus by planting in fall, too, to help give the crop a head start.

(Image credit: Alamy)

December

December is a good time to plan what you are going to grow in the year ahead and crisp winter days can be a good opportunity to prepare the soil for the coming growing season. Take notes of what worked well and plan crop rotations for the year to come. 

Winter salad – seeds of mustard greens, mizuna, corn salad, lambs lettuce and ‘Winter Gem’ lettuce can be grown outside in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse. If you live in a mild area you can grow them in the ground and use cloches to protect them if temperatures dip dramatically.

Garlic – December is the last chance to plant fall garlic varieties. 

If you live in a mild climate and you have free-draining soil sets can be planted directly – they do not grow well in waterlogged soils. 

(Image credit: RHS/Georgi Mabee)

What month do you plant vegetables?

There are vegetables that can be planted right through the year from January to December. Using a vegetable planting calendar is a handy tool for planning when to plant vegetables, but ultimately what month you plant vegetables will depend on your climate and growing zone, as well as the last frost date in your area.  

Generally March and April, when the soil begins to warm, are the best months to begin sowing many hardy annual vegetable seeds outdoors including broccoli, cabbage, chard, carrots, peas and parsnips. Some of these can be started off under cover in a greenhouse or on a sunny window sill from February to help give them a head start, ready for planting outside once the weather warms. 

Vegetables suited for growing in a greenhouse such as tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, tomatoes, cucumbers and chilli peppers can also be planted undercover from February.

(Image credit: Leigh Clapp)

From March, frost-tender, half-hardy vegetables can be started off under cover ready for transplanting once the risk of frost has passed including zucchini, pumpkin, sweetcorn and aubergine. After this time, generally from late May and June, frost tender half-hardy annual vegetables can then be planted out into their final position or sown directly outside.

Successive sowings of many fast maturing vegetables can be sown from March up until July including radish, beetroot and spring onions.  

In July and August many hardy vegetables can be planted for winter harvesting including cabbage, pak choi, spring cabbage, spinach and chard.

The growing season slows from October when temperatures begin to dip but this is the prime time to plant garlic. winter salads can continue to be planted and broad beans can be sown for an early spring crop.

Pippa is Content Editor on Homes & Gardens online contributing to Period Living and Country Homes & Interiors print issues. A graduate of Art History and formerly Style Editor at Period Living, she is passionate about architecture, creating decorating content, interior styling and writing about craft and historic homes. She enjoys searching out beautiful images and the latest trends to share with the Homes & Gardens audience. A keen gardener, when she’s not writing you’ll find her growing flowers on her village allotment for styling projects.

Vegetable Gardening for Beginners: The Basics of Planting & Growing

In the Vegetable Gardening for Beginners Guide, we cover how to start a vegetable garden from scratch, which vegetables to grow, and when to plant what. This year, we’ve added a “starter” garden plan consisting of easy-to-grow vegetables, companion planting techniques, and some lovely flowers!

Vegetable Gardening for Beginners

Why garden, you ask? How about enjoying the best vegetables and fruit you’ve ever eaten? If you’ve never tasted garden-fresh food, you will be amazed by the sweet, juicy flavors and vibrant textures. There’s absolutely nothing quite like fresh veggies, especially if you grow them yourself—which you can!

It may seem daunting at first, but gardening is a very rewarding hobby. On this page, we’ll highlight the basics of vegetable gardening and planning: how to pick the right site for your garden, how to create the right-size garden, and how to select which vegetables to grow. 

Pick the Right Location

Picking a good location for your garden is absolutely key. A subpar location can result in subpar veggies! Here are a few tips for choosing a good site:

  1. Sunny spot: Most vegetables need 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. There are a few veggies (mostly the leafy ones) that will tolerate some shade.
  2. Drains well and doesn’t stay wet: If you have poorly drained soil where water pools, plant veggies in a raised bed or raised row for improved drainage. Wet soil means wet roots, which can turn into rotted roots. If you have rocky soil, till and remove the rocks, as they will interfere with root growth and make for weaker plants.
  3. Stable and not windy: Avoid places that receive strong winds that could knock over your young plants or keep pollinators from doing their job. Nor do you want to plant in a location that receives too much foot traffic or floods easily. Plant in a location that would make Goldilocks smile—somewhere that’s “just right.”
  4. Nutrient-rich soil. You soil feeds your plants. If you have thin, nutrient-poor soil, you’ll have poor, unhealthy plants. Mix in plenty of organic matter to help your plants gro. See how to prepare you soil for vegetable plants.

Choosing a Plot Size: Start Small!

Remember: It’s better to be proud of a small garden than be frustrated by a big one!

One of the most common errors that beginners make is planting too much too soon—way more than anybody could ever eat or want! Unless you want to have zucchinis taking up residence in your attic, plan your garden with care. Start small, and only grow what you know you and your family will eat.

Size of Garden

  1. If planting in the ground, a 10’ x 10’ garden (100 square feet) is a managable size. Pick 3 to 5 of your favorite vegetables and buy 3 to 5 plants of each one.
  2. If planting in a raised bed, a 4’ x 4’ or 4’ x 8’ is a good beginner size. See our Raised Garden Bed Guide which covers the benefits of raised beds, how to build a raised bed, and what type of soil to fill a raised bed with.
  3. If you want to go bigger, a 12’ x 24’ garden in the ground is probably the biggest a first-timer should go. For example, a garden that feeds a family of four could include: 3 hills of yellow squash; 1 mound of zucchini; 10 assorted peppers; 6 tomato plants; 12 okra plants; a 12-foot row of bush beans; 2 cucumbers on a cage; 2 eggplant; 6 basil; 1 rosemary, and a few low-growing herbs such as oregano, thyme, and marjoram.
  4. Whatever the size of your garden: Every four feet or so, make sure that you have paths that allow you to access your plants to weed and harvest. Just make sure that you can reach the center of the row or bed easily without stepping on the soil.

Choosing Vegetables

As a beginner, start by choosing easy vegetables that are also productive. We’ve listed ten easy vegetable below. However, it would also be wise to contact your state’s Cooperative Extension Service to find out what plants grow best in your area. For example, if you live in an area with extremely hot weather, vegetables that prefer cooler temps may struggle. 

Top 10 Easy Vegetables
(Tip: Click on a veggie’s name to see its detailed Growing Guide. )

  1. Lettuce
  2. Green beans
  3. Radishes
  4. Tomatoes (bush variety or cherry are easiest)
  5. Zucchini
  6. Peppers
  7. Beets
  8. Carrots
  9. Chard, Spinach, or Kale
  10. Peas

Mix in flowers such as marigolds—which discourage pests, attracts pollinators, and adds some color!

Five tips for choosing vegetables:

  1. Choose what you (and your family) like to eat. If no one likes brussels sprouts, don’t bother planting them! But if your kids love green beans, put more effort towards growing a big crop of beans.
  2. Be realistic about how many vegetables your family will eat. Be careful not to overplant, as you will only stretch yourself thin by trying to take care of tons of plants! (Of course, you could always give excess veggies away to friends, family, or the local soup kitchen. )
  3. Consider the availability of veggies at your grocery store. Maybe you want to grow tomatillos, instead of cabbage or carrots, which are readily available. Also, certain veggies are so far superior when homegrown, it’s almost a shame not to consider them (we’re thinking of garden lettuce and tomatoes). Also, homegrown herbs are far less expensive than grocery store herbs.
  4. Be prepared to take care of your plants throughout the growing season. Going on a summer vacation? Remember that tomatoes and zucchinis are growing strongest in the middle of summer. If you’re gone part of the summer, you need someone to look after the crops or they will suffer. Or, you could just grow cool-season crops such as lettuce, kale, peas, and root veggies during the cooler months of late spring and early fall.
  5. Use high-quality seeds. Seed packets are less expensive than individual plants, but if seeds don’t germinate, your money—and time—are wasted. A few extra cents spent in spring for that year’s seeds will pay off in higher yields at harvesttime.

Where and When to Plant

If you are simply growing two or three tomato plants, this process is easy. But if you plan to grow a full garden, you need to consider:

Here are a few guidelines for arranging your vegetables:

  1. Not all vegetables are planted at the same time.  “Cool-season” vegetables such as lettuce and brocoil and peas grow in cooler weather of early spring (and fall). “Warm-season” such as tomatoes and peppers and cucumbers aren’t planted until the soil warms up in late spring and summer.
  2. Plant tall veggies (such as pole beans on a trellis or sweet corn) on the north side of the garden so they don’t shade shorter plants. If you do get shade in a part of your garden, save that area for small, cool-season veggies.  If shade is unavoidable in parts of your garden, save those areas for cool-season vegetables which appreciate shade as the weather heats up.
  3. Most veggies are annuals (planted each year). If you’re planning on growing “perennial” crops such as asparagus, rhubarb, and some herbs, provide permanent locations or beds.
  4. Consider that some crops mature quickly and have a very short harvest period (radishes, bush beans). Other plants, such as tomatoes, take longer to produce, but also produce for longer. These “days to maturity” are typically listed on the seed packet. 
  5. Stagger plantings. You don’t want to plant all your lettuce seeds at the same time, or all that lettuce will need to be harvested at around the same time! Stagger plantings by a few weeks to keep ‘em coming!

When to Plant What

Every region has a different planting time based mainly on their weather, and every vegetable has its temperature preferences, too. See the Almanac’s Best Planting Dates—a gardening calendar customized to your local frost dates. Just enter your zip code (or postal code in Canada)! 

For specific planting information, see our individual Grow Guides for over 100 popular vegetables, herbs, and fruit. For each crop, we provide specific information about how to plant, grow, and harvest, including watering and fertilizing and pest control!

A Starter Beginner Garden Plan

To help out beginners, we thought that it may be useful to see a garden design. Here is an example of a starter family garden using mainly of the common easy-to-grow vegetables listed above. It also features companion planting (the practice of placing plants that thrive together next to each other).

You’ll see that we have given the garden decent-sized paths and mixed in a few herbs and flowers, too. Frankly, if we had grown this garden in our very first year, we would be thrilled! In planning the garden this way, we have made it so much easier for you to succeed with it.

Click here to see the full plant list, number of plants, spacing, and spacing in rows.

Garden Planning Tool

The Old Farmer’s Almanac offers an excellent online garden planning tool which makes your garden planning fun and easy. With this tool, draw your garden plan on the computer and drop in your preferred vegetables, and it automatically calculates the proper spacing for each type of crop! This way, you don’t waste seed or crowd your plants. The Garden Planner automatically pulls in the frost dates for your specific location, identifies easy vegetables, and even identifies companion plants. Then you can print out your plan and the tool reminds you of your seeding and harvesting dates for every vegetable!

Plus, you’ll see many free garden plans for inspiration! Over time, you’ll see that this tool also provides “crop rotation” so that if you plan a second season, you can properly reposition your plants to avoid pests and disease.

With new gardeners in mind, we offer a FREE week to try the Garden Planner—ample time to plan your first garden.  Check it out here: http://gardenplanner.almanac.com/


Photo: Almanac Garden Planner. Earth’s most popular tool for planning your garden. Try it free for 7 days.


Any questions or advice about starting your garden? Check out some of the comments below. Many of your questions may have been answered already by our Almanac community or you are welcome to add your own comment. Happy gardening! 

Vegetable planting calendar

To get a good result in the garden, it is important to observe the timing of sowing seeds. Some crops are sown when there is still snow on the street. Others - when the soil warms up in the beds. By observing the planting calendar, it is possible to get large yields of vegetables, herbs and berries even in the conditions of a short summer.

Seasonal vegetables are the most numerous category of dacha crops. Among them there are heat-loving and cold-resistant, long-ripening and early ripening. They are sown at different times. The vegetable planting calendar will help you not to miss anything. It has both popular and rare crops. All of them are suitable for amateur cultivation.


What vegetables to sow in March

Solanaceae are favorites of any garden. Tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers, eggplants have a long growing season and are therefore grown through seedlings. When to plant vegetables from the nightshade family? Their seeds are dipped into the soil long before the onset of heat - in March-April. Two-month-old seedlings are transported to the garden in May-June, and the exact timing of sowing for seedlings is determined based on the precocity of the varieties.

Seed onions in an annual crop are also grown in seedlings. Seeds are sown in March. Harvested in August-September. Sowing depth - about 1.5 cm.

Leek grows slowly. It is grown only through seedlings, sowing as early as possible - in March. Seedlings are planted when the soil warms up. The crop is harvested from the second half of summer. For leeks, good lighting is important, otherwise the heavy stems will fall and twist.

Root celery is grown from seedlings, which are sown at the end of March. Seeds of celery are small, they are only lightly sprinkled with soil. Scheme of planting in the ground 25x25 cm.

What vegetables to sow in April

Another seedling crop familiar to gardeners is white cabbage. Early sown in March, medium-late and late - in April. Cabbage loves coolness, so in warm spring, seeds for seedlings can be sown immediately in an outdoor greenhouse.

Broccoli and cauliflower are sown for seedlings in batches from April to June. This allows you to collect the maximum yield in a limited area. Sowing depth 2 cm. The crop is harvested in July-October.

Seeds of rutabagas, which are gradually regaining their lost popularity, can be sown from April to June. At the beginning of spring - for seedlings for early harvests, with the arrival of stable heat - directly into the ground. Late-ripening varieties are harvested in October.

Brussels sprouts, which have a very long growing season, are grown only through seedlings, which are sown in an outdoor greenhouse in March-April. The sowing depth is 2 cm. In order to harvest a large crop of delicious mini cabbages in the fall, cabbage must be regularly fed: with nitrogen at the beginning of the growing season, with potassium and phosphorus - starting in August.

Heat-loving cucumbers are sown for seedlings in April. At the beginning of summer, you can sow the seeds directly in the garden. The harvest begins in July and continues until the first cold weather. The sowing depth is 2.5 cm. Do not forget to put trellises for cucumbers; when grown in spreading, the yield decreases.

Radishes are sown in open beds from the end of April. Sowing can be repeated every 2 weeks. From mid-June to early August, you need to take a break, because plants sown with a long daylight hours will quickly bloom and become unsuitable for food. In August, sowing radishes can be continued. The harvest is from April to September.

Lettuce lovers grow it both from seedlings and direct seeding in the ground, sowing from April to July. The harvest is from June to September. Sowing depth 1 cm.

Extremely useful, but still unfamiliar to many, spinach is sown in the garden in spring and again in early summer. It is convenient to do this every 2 weeks, starting in April. The crop is harvested after 3-5 weeks. Seeding depth 2 cm. Depending on the region, it is sown on beds in April-May. Harvested from June to October. Carrots are sown in rows every 15-20 cm, and then thinned out in a row by 8-10 cm. The seeding depth is 1.5 cm.

Zucchini and pumpkins are sown in the ground in May and covered with agrofibre to protect against possible recurrent frosts. Seeds are buried to a depth of 3 cm according to the scheme 90 by 90 cm. They are sown in early May immediately to a permanent place.

Sweet corn seeds are sown in May, when the danger of frost has passed. Planting depth 3 cm, row spacing 35 cm, in a row 45 cm. Harvesting takes place from July to September.

Seasonal greens - dill, parsley, cilantro, leaf celery - are sown in batches from May to August. Row spacing 30 cm, planting depth 1.5 cm.

Potatoes are a separate story. Learn the Eight Secrets of Growing Potatoes - You Won't Regret It!

What vegetables to sow in June

Table beet is thermophilic, it is sown in the garden when even the slightest threat of frost has passed. But you can harvest even with the onset of cold October. Beets are grown with row spacings of 30 cm, about 10 cm are left in the row between plants. After thinning, extra seedlings can be transplanted to an adjacent bed - beets easily tolerate such a procedure.


What vegetables to sow in August

In the last month of summer, it is not too late to sow early-ripening leafy vegetables. They will have time to grow leaf and watercress, spinach, dill, parsley, arugula, onions on a feather.

What vegetables to plant in September

According to the vegetable harvest calendar, mass harvesting takes place in September: potatoes and root crops are dug up, the last fruits of nightshade and pumpkin are harvested. But do not forget about sowing. In early September, you can sow early varieties of lettuce, Chinese cabbage, arugula, spinach, salad mustard, radish and, of course, green manure. By mid-October they will be ready for harvest.

By knowing when to plant vegetables in your garden, you will always have a good harvest. Tell us in the comments if our calendar was useful to you. Find a few minutes for a short master class from our specialist - you will find out what flowers can be sown before winter so as not to waste precious spring days on laying flower beds.

Published: 10 Mar 2022

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For real farmers, work is in full swing all year round - the main thing is to plan it correctly. If you are a novice gardener, you bought vegetable seeds for the first time and do not know when to sow them and wait for the harvest, this article is for you. Our gardeners will briefly and clearly tell you what and when to plant, and how to harvest.

Classification of vegetable crops by planting time

Depending on the time of laying seed material in the ground, all plants are divided into 3 types:

1. Early spring - a group of vegetables, neutral to light: spicy greens, salads, onions and root vegetables. You can sow them in stages, every 2 weeks, during the first half of spring. Soil temperature should be: +3...+5 C.

2. Medium-spring crops are planted in stages, from April to mid-May. The earth should warm up over + 5C. The group includes all varieties of cabbage, early potatoes, legumes, soybeans and root vegetables.

3. Late spring - plants that love well-warmed soil (up to + 15C) and stable weather. These are beans, tomatoes, beets, peppers and pumpkin. They grow well from late spring to early summer.

Dates of sowing and harvesting garden crops

Pepper

Pepper seeds are sown for seedlings in the first days of February, in the garden - in the second half of May. For best germination, they are pre-soaked for 48 hours. The grown seedlings are planted in the garden 60 days after germination. Remove the fruits of pepper in technical maturity, starting in July.

Cabbage

Sowing cabbage seeds for seedlings - from the first spring days. You can repeat the crops every 14 days, until the May holidays. Approximately from the end of April to mid-May, the grown seedlings are planted in open ground. Row width: 50-55 cm, in a row - every 30-40 cm. Cabbage needs plentiful regular watering. Early varieties are cut after 90 days, late - not earlier than 120 days.

Eggplant

Sowing of eggplant seeds for seedlings starts from the first days of March. It should be noted that during planting in open soil, it should warm up to at least 18 degrees. The ripening period of early varieties of eggplant is 100 days from the moment of emergence of seedlings. In late-ripening varieties, the fruits ripen for about 5 months.

Tomatoes

The beginning of March is the start for sowing tomato seeds for seedlings. In May, the seedlings are transplanted to the garden, deepening into the ground to the lower leaves. Tall specimens are placed in the hole at 1/3 of the total height, leaving 20-25 cm on top. Ripe tomatoes are harvested by about 90-125 days after the emergence of seedlings.

Radish, radish, turnip

Turnip, radish and radish seeds are usually sown in the first decade of April. Seeds are sown in prepared and moistened grooves to a depth of 1.5-2 cm, distributing peas every 5-10 cm. To accelerate the growth of seedlings, the bed, at first, is covered with agrofiber. Early varieties of radishes are harvested on the 21st day from the appearance of seedlings, late varieties - on the 45th day.

Carrots

Carrot seeds are sown very early - in April, when the soil is still quite wet. For better germination, the seeds are pre-soaked in warm water. The first 7-10 days, until the sprouts hatch, the soil is regularly watered. It is convenient to lay narrow beds: 4 rows at a distance of 30 cm. Early root ripens in 80 days, late - 80-120 days after the appearance of sprouts.

Peas

Legumes are planted at the end of April, followed by two weeks later, until mid-summer. First, a groove is made into which pea seeds are laid out at a distance of 5 cm from each other. Then the peas are sprinkled with soil, lightly tamping it with a rake. Harvest of peas ripens in 7 weeks.

Corn

Corn is best planted in late April or early May. The row spacing is about 70 cm. Leave 30 cm between plants. For good cross-pollination, more rows are laid. Corn seeds are placed at a depth of up to 8 cm. Depending on the variety, the head of cabbage ripens in 70-105 days.

Beetroot

Vegetable "for borscht and vinaigrette" is best sown in early May. Untreated beet seeds are soaked for 2-3 days, and coated ones are laid out immediately in the grooves, maintaining a row spacing of about 20 cm. The seed material is laid out evenly, at a distance of 6-10 cm from each other. The harvest of early beet varieties ripens by July, and with the first frosts, late-ripening varieties can be harvested.

Cucumber

Cucumber seeds should be planted in May, when the threat of frost has passed. On the eve of sowing, they are soaked for 12 hours. Planted to a depth of 3 cm in a checkerboard pattern, the distance between the pits is 20-40 cm. The first crop ripens in 45 days.

Beans

The optimum planting time for legumes is mid-May. Before sowing, bean seeds are recommended to be soaked for 12 hours - seedlings will appear faster. You can lay in the pits and dry beans. The row spacing is laid 50-60 cm wide.

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