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When to plant your vegetable garden


Step 6 - Plant Your Vegetables Right - Illinois Vegetable Garden Guide

Step 6 - Plant Your Vegetables Right - Illinois Vegetable Garden Guide - University of Illinois Extension

Much of the success of your garden depends on when and how your vegetables are planted.

When to plant. How early you can plant depends on the hardiness of the vegetables and the climate in your area. Certain vegetables can withstand frost while others cannot. In Table 3 vegetables are classified as hardy, half-hardy, tender, or very tender. This information along with the date of the average last 32 freeze in your area will help you to determine safe planting dates.

Planting by the moon is a favorite topic for discussion among many gardeners. There is no scientific evidence to support planting by the moon; planting studies have shown no relation between the different phases of the moon and good production of crops.

How to plant. There are no magic tricks or difficult techniques in starting seeds or in setting plants. But there are some simple steps you should follow to insure success.

Seeds. In starting seeds in the garden, follow these directions:

  1. Use disease-free seed.
  2. Mark out straight rows to make your garden attractive and to make cultivation, insect control, and harvesting easier. To mark a row, drive two stakes into the ground at either edge of the garden and draw a string taut between them. Shallow furrows, suitable for small seed, can be made by drawing a hoe handle along the line indicated by the string. For deeper furrows, use a wheel hoe or the corner of the hoe blade. Use correct spacing between rows.
  3. Hill or drill the seed. "Hilling" is placing several seeds in one spot at definite intervals in the row. Sweet corn, squash, melons, and cucumbers are often planted this way. Hilling allows easier control of weeds between the hills of plants. "Drilling," which is the way most seeds are sown, is spacing the seeds by hand or with a drill more or less evenly down the row.
  4. Space seeds properly in the row. The number of seeds to sow per foot or hill is suggested in Table 2. Space the seeds uniformly. Small seeds sometimes can be handled better if they are mixed with dry, pulverized soil and then spread.
  5. Plant at proper depth. A general rule to follow is to place the seed at a depth about four times the diameter of the seed. Cover small seeds such as carrots and lettuce with about to inch of soil. Place large seeds such as corn, beans, and peas 1 to 2 inches deep. In sandy soils or in dry weather, plant the seeds somewhat deeper.
  6. Cover seeds and firm soil. Pack soil around the seeds by gently tamping the soil with your hands or an upright hoe. This prevents rainwater from washing away the seeds.
  7. Thin to a desirable number of plants (see Table 2) when they are young. Remove the weakest plants. Do not wait too long before thinning or injury will result from crowding.

Table 3 : Planting Chart - Timing

Vegetable Hardiness Recommended planting period for central Illinois (b) Time to grow from seed to field (c)
For overall
Use		 For
storage
weeks
Asparagus Hardy Mar. 15-Apr. 15 .
Bean, bush, lima Very Tender May 10-June 15 .
Bean, bush, snap Tender Apr. 25-July 15 .
Beet Half-hardy Apr. 10-July 15 July 10
Broccoli Half-hardy Apr. 10-May 1
July 1-15		 . 4-6
Cabbage Half-hardy Apr. 10-July 15 June 10 4-6
Carrot Half-hardy Apr. 10-July 15 May 15
Cauliflower Half-hardy July 10-20 . 4-6
Chard Half-hardy Apr.10-June 1 .
Corn, sweet Tender May 1-July 9 .
Cucumber Very Tender May 10-June 15 . 4
Eggplant Very Tender May 10-June 15 . 8-10
Endive Half-hardy Apr. 1- May 1
July 1-Aug. 15		 July 10
Garlic (spring planted) Hardy Mar. 25-Apr. 15 Apr. 1-10
Garlic (fall planted) Hardy Sept-Oct (see note e)
Kale Hardy Apr. 1-30
July 1-Aug.1		 July 10
Kohlrabi Hardy Mar. 25-Apr. 5
Aug. 1-10		 Aug. 1
Lettuce, leaf Half-hardy Mar. 25-May 15
Aug. 15-Sept. 15		 .
Muskmelon Very tender May 10-June 15 . 4
Mustard Half-hardy Apr. 1-May 10
Aug.15-Sept. 15		 .
New Zealand spinach Tender Apr. 25-June 15 .
Okra Very tender May 10-June 15 .
Onion, from seed Hardy Mar. 25-Apr. 15 Apr. 1
Onion, from plants or sets Hardy Mar. 25-May 1 Apr. 1
Parsley Half-hardy Apr. 10-May 1 .
Peas Half-hardy Apr. 10-May 1 .
Pepper Very tender May 10-June 1 May 10 8-10
Potato Half-hardy Apr. 1-15
June 1-10		 June 1
Pumpkin Very tender May 20-June 10 June 10
Radish, spring Half-hardy Apr. 5. -June 1
Aug. 20-30		 .
Radish, winter Half-hardy Aug. 1-15 Aug. 10
Rhubarb Hardy Mar. 25-May 15 .
Rutabaga Half-hardy May 1-July 1 June 15
Spinach Hardy Mar. 25-Apr. 15
Aug. 15-30		 .
Squash, summer Very Tender May 10-June 15 .
Squash, winter Very Tender May 20-June 1 June 1
Sweet potato Very Tender May 10-June 1 May 15 6
Tomato Very Tender May 10-June 1 May 15 5-7
Turnips Hardy Mar. 25-Apr. 15
Aug. 1-15		 Aug. 1
Watermelons Very Tender May 10-June 1 . 4
  1. This classification is used to determine earliest safe date to plant vegetables. Hardy vegetables can be planted as soon as the ground can be prepared. Half-hardy vegetables can be planted as early as 2 to 3 weeks before the average date of the last 32 freeze in the spring. Tender vegetables should be planted from the time of the last average 32 freeze to one week later. Very tender crops should be planted 2 to 3 weeks after the last average 32 freeze. See Fig. 2 for average dates of last 32 degree freeze in Illinois.
  2. For southern Illinois March-June plantings can be made approximately 2 weeks earlier and July-September plantings 2 weeks later than for central Illinois. For northern Illinois March-June plantings should be about 2 weeks later and July-September plantings about 2 weeks earlier than for central Illinois.
  3. Time required to grow plants from seed before setting in field. This period will vary depending on temperature and other conditions under which plants are grown.
  4. Use plants. See page 20 for discussion on planting depths for plants.
  5. Throughout much of North America with the exception of the very hottest and coldest areas, garlic is best planted in the fall just as many of the hardy spring bulbs are. As far as timing, it should be done before the soil freezes. In most areas this planting date is sometime in late September through October. Planting at this time allows the cloves to have a chance to root and grow a shoot to the soil surface in the fall. Then in the spring, growth commences immediately when the frost goes out of the soil allowing lush growth. If planting is delayed until spring planting should be done as early as possible (March-April). This will be dependent upon whether the soil can be properly prepared. A note about spring planted garlic. Garlic from spring plantings does not come close to making quality heads of garlic as a fall planting will. Garlic planted in spring has to mature in the hotter, dryer conditions of summer thus lowering the quality quite a bit.

Transplants. Some vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, eggplant, pepper, sweet potato, and tomato, are usually started in the garden by means of transplants. You can buy these plants or grow them yourself indoors. Follow these directions when setting plants into the garden:

  1. Transplant if possible on a cloudy day or in the evening.
  2. Handle plants with care. About an hour before transplanting, thoroughly water plants and soil in the containers (pots, bands, flats, etc.). Roots of plants in flats should be blocked out with a knife to get as much soil as possible with each root. Carefully remove plants without disturbing the roots. Keep a ball of soil around the roots. Keep the roots moist at all times when they are out of the soil.
  3. Dig a hole large enough so that the transplanted plant sets at the same depth that was growing in the container. The only exception to this rule is if you have tall, spindly tomato plants. They can be set on an angle in a shallow trench. Cover the stem with soil roots will form along the stem.
  4. Use starter solution to get plants off to a fast start. Mix an all-soluble fertilizer high in phosphorus (e.g. 1-52-17 or 10-50-10) at the rate of approximately 1 tablespoon per gallon of water. When you transplant, place about 1 cup of the solution around the roots of each plant.
  5. Cover the roots with soil and firm the soil tightly around the plant.
  6. Protect plants from heat, wind, or cold if necessary. Plant protectors (sometimes called hot caps) made of paper or plastic are available to lessen trouble from frost in the spring. Homemade devices can be made from baskets, boxes, or jars. Do not leave the protector over the plants longer than necessary. If it gets warm during the daytime, remove the protector or open it so that the plants receive ventilation.

Choose a Step

a month by month calendar |

(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.

Gardening calendar: what and when to plant at home and in the country

Tips

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JANUARY

January is the perfect month for planning your future plantings. Inspect pots and tubs, check gardening tools and order seeds. If you still can not wait to start planting, sow chili peppers. Keep the plants warm and use grow lights when the seeds sprout.

FEBRUARY

It's time to plant tomatoes for seedlings, prune geraniums, apples and pears. For good growth, tomatoes need sunlight: it is desirable that the windows in the apartment face south. To create a comfortable environment for the seeds to grow, the boxes must be covered with foil. For individual pots, you can make a mini-greenhouse from cut plastic bottles.

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As soon as the snow melts and the soil thaws, you can start replanting trees and shrubs. It is important to do this while the plant is dormant - in a fairly short period of 2-3 weeks between the snow melting and the buds swelling. Trim dead perennials and shrubs to make room for new, healthy growth. In addition, March is a great time for planting any seedlings (peppers, celery, eggplant, artichokes, tomatoes, physalis) and some types of flowers (asters, petunias, dahlias, coleus, mirabilis, geraniums). It is also time to start sowing spicy and salad herbs (basil, coriander, parsley, dill, onion, parsnip, different types of lettuce). nine0003

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APRIL

April is the time for planting seeds of cold-resistant crops in open ground; Toward the end of the month, you can plant cucumbers, sunflowers, and sweet peas. After April 20, depending on the temperature, most vegetable crops (carrots, radishes, turnips, radishes, beets, peas, beans, corn, onions, beans, potatoes) can also be sown in the ground. In addition, April is the best time to prune roses. nine0003

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In May, you can start planting plants on the balcony and in the garden. In mid-May (depending on the temperature outside), you can plant citrus, fig, olive and other types of Mediterranean heat-loving trees. Overwintered tubers of dahlias, irises, gladiolus and lilies can be returned back to the soil. We plant strawberries and wild strawberries on the balcony. Indoors, we plant different varieties of cabbage, zucchini and pumpkin for seedlings.

June is the "high season" for growing any crop, both indoors and outdoors. Everything is growing well! Dig up the soil, remove weeds, add fertilizer if necessary. As soon as the cold nights are over, summer flowers can be planted in open ground.

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Now the gardener's main concern is not so much growing as caring for his plantings. Water vegetables, flowers and trees regularly, remove weeds. Mowed grass can be placed under beds and bushes: this prevents weeds and fertilizes the soil. If you have tomatoes growing, in July they begin to actively bear fruit, so you should regularly remove the tops and "stepchildren" and do not forget that it's time for the second feeding of tomatoes. nine0003

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AUGUST

This month can be described in three words: weeding, watering, harvesting. Also in August, you can plant strawberry seedlings again, divide and replant peonies, divide and propagate spring flowering perennials, prune berry bushes and fruit trees after harvest.

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SEPTEMBER

Harvesting, tree and shrub pruning and planting of perennials, shrubs and trees continues in September. It is also time to collect and dry the seeds for spring sowing. Vegetables from which it is easy to collect seeds: beans, peas, tomatoes, zucchini, pumpkins. And it's time to plant spring bulbs - this should be done before frost, the earlier in the fall, the better. nine0003

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OCTOBER

In October, the first frosts come, so it's time to dig dahlia tubers out of the ground and prepare them for wintering (these flowers do not tolerate frost well). It is also a good month to continue planting shrubs and roses. Deciduous shrubs and trees can be planted until the ground is frozen. And do not forget to plant tulip bulbs (in winter they form the substances necessary for flowering): they should be placed in the ground when the soil temperature drops to 10 degrees at a depth of 15 cm. Carrots and garlic can be planted from vegetables before winter, and then already at the beginning summer harvest awaits you. nine0003

NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER

The harvest is harvested, the plants are planted - you can take a break from the garden! Time to make bird feeders and care for houseplants. You can also now grow amaryllis bulbs and hyacinths.

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TIP: To improve your yield, attract more butterflies, bees, bumblebees, and other pollinating insects to your yard or balcony by planting honey plants. Here are some of them: crocus, lavender, loosestrife, purple echinacea, verbena, lilac, meadowsweet, thyme, sunflower, calendula. nine0003

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timing of planting crops in the Middle lane

Who spends all his childhood in his grandmother's garden, the question of what and when to plant in the beds is not asked. Watching, asking, observing, you will learn by yourself. But the gardener, starting from scratch, without advisers and prompters, has to learn from his own experience, which is "the son of difficult mistakes."

And today, especially for beginners, we will write a detailed cheat sheet with approximate dates for sowing the main and some rare garden crops in the Middle lane. Use on health! nine0003

When to sow and plant the main vegetables in the garden

We classify the main vegetables as those without which it is impossible to imagine a garden. They are all planted. It can be said that the garden is started for them.

Carrots

Carrots are usually divided into two groups. The first is for summer consumption, the second is for long-term storage. And it is best to plant two separate beds at different times. In at the end of April or in the first days of May we sow early ripe carrots, which we are not going to store. And closer to the end of May (sometimes in the beginning of June ) the time of late root crops "for the winter" comes.

White cabbage

It is very easy to get confused with cabbage, because:

Therefore, first we will determine the timing of sowing cabbage seeds for seedlings. They are approximately the following:

We wrote about how to grow strong cabbage seedlings HERE. True, if you live in an ordinary city apartment with unregulated heating, then we advise you to grow cabbage seedlings directly in the country - in a greenhouse or greenhouse.

Regarding the timing of transplanting seedlings to a permanent place of residence, early cabbage can be planted in bed from April 25 to May 15 . Seedlings of mid-ripening cabbage are planted from 15 to 31 May . At the end of May or early June, it goes to the garden and seedlings of late varieties of cabbage.

Zucchini and squash

In the Moscow region and in the Middle zone, zucchini can be grown through seedlings or by direct sowing of seeds in a garden bed. In the first case, we sow seeds for seedlings from April 25, to May 5, . And after about 25-30 days, the seedlings will be ready for planting in the garden. nine0003

Plant heat-loving squash outdoors with germinated seeds when the danger of frost has passed. Usually - from May 25 to June 5 .

Potatoes

May holidays are not in vain associated with work “on potatoes”. Because it is recommended to plant potatoes in our latitudes from May 5 to May 10.

Onions

Black onions (seeds) are sown in the garden from April 15 to April 30 to obtain sets . It is customary to plant onion sets May 1-10 . And if you want to get bulbs from a seed in one season, sow seeds for seedlings from 1 to March 10, . Everything you need to know about growing onions from seedlings can be found HERE.

Cucumbers

In the second half of April it is already possible to sow seeds of early ripening cucumbers for seedlings. April seedlings begin to be transplanted into the greenhouse from 10 May . These cucumbers are the first signs for early consumption.

In the first days of May, the "second batch" of cucumbers is planted for seedlings. They are planted in a permanent place at the end of May or at the very beginning of June. These will be cucumbers for late consumption and conservation. Prefer to plant seeds directly into the ground? Then you can start the "sowing" in the range of May 15 - June 5.

Pumpkin

Planting dates for pumpkins depend on the growing conditions. If under cover, then seeds for seedlings can be safely sown April 20, , in mid-May, young plants can be planted in a garden bed. But it is better to plant a pumpkin in open ground in early June. This means that we start sowing seedlings for open ground from on May 10-15.

Tomato (tomato)

There are so many varieties of tomatoes that it is impossible to determine the exact date of their sowing. First of all ( at the end of February ) tall varieties of medium and late ripening are sown for seedlings. All March can be sown for seedlings undersized tomatoes. And the earliest ripe varieties can be planted even at the beginning of April !

February seedlings of tomatoes are usually planted in the greenhouse from 1 to 10 May , March and April - 10-15 May .

Beets

Beets for winter use are usually sown in beds from 5 to May 15 . Although someone grows "burgundy beauty" through seedlings, planting seeds in a box in mid-April, and young seedlings in a garden bed at the end of May. Someone sows beets in early June . It is believed that June root crops are better stored in winter.

Garlic

Winter and spring garlic. Winter garlic is planted in autumn in in the second half of September or at the very beginning of October. It's time for the spring garlic cloves to go to the garden at the end of April or early May (1st to 5th) .

Pepper

Most often pepper seedlings are sown very early from 10 to 25 February . Seeds of pepper are tight and can “sit” in the ground for quite a long time, two weeks or even longer. But if everything is done according to the rules and pre-sowing preparation is carried out, then the first sprouts will appear in 7-10 days. All the details in the article How to grow pepper seedlings at home

Radishes

0111 April 25 to May 5 . But we prefer to sow radishes in the greenhouse during the period from March 25 to April 10, . By Victory Day, she already has time to ripen. And you don’t have to defend yourself against the cruciferous flea.

Leaf and head lettuce

The first planting of all types of lettuce can be carried out from May 1 to May 10 . In the first decade of July, lettuce is sown again so that fresh tender leaves can be removed all summer and autumn.

Green vegetables

Cold hardy greens - spinach, parsnips, watercress, arugula, chard, mustard greens - can be sown from beginning of April . The end of April - the first week of May - is the time for sowing parsley, dill, celery, sorrel, cilantro. The most heat-loving green crops, such as basil and lemon balm, are grown in seedlings. From 1 to 15 April their seeds are sown for seedlings, and from 10 to 20 May young seedlings are transplanted into the ground.

When to plant "difficult" and optional crops

This section is devoted to crops that are much less common in the gardens of the Moscow Region and the Middle Strip. However, information on when to plant them in beds can be helpful. nine0003

Watermelon

In our area, watermelons are often grown as seedlings. Sowing of seeds in peas begins in in mid-April . Ready seedlings are planted in a greenhouse or on a warm bed for shelter in mid-May .

Eggplant

Eggplant grows for quite a long time, so it is planted early for seedlings: from 10 to 25 February . The grown seedlings are transplanted into the greenhouse simultaneously with peppers from 20 to 25 May .

Beijing cabbage

Beijing cabbage for summer consumption is planted in spring, namely 15-20 April . But if you want to eat Beijing in autumn and winter, you need to sow it in summer - from July 20 to August 10 .

Cauliflower

Sowing seeds for early varieties and hybrids of cauliflower is carried out from March 5 to March 30 . March seedlings are transferred to a permanent place from April 25 to May 15 .

Terms of planting seeds for seedlings of medium-late varieties - April 10 - May 10 . And seedlings are planted in open ground from May 20 to June 15 .

From May 25 to June 10, late varieties of cauliflower intended for storage are sown for seedlings. These seedlings are transplanted into the beds from 1 to July 10, .

Broccoli

Broccoli seedlings are best sown in a greenhouse, not at home. It (like other cabbages) does not grow well in the heat. The terms of sowing seeds for seedlings are from March 25 to April 10. In late April - early May, seedlings with 5-6 leaves can already be planted in the garden. nine0003

Celery root

Celery root is a crop with a long growing season. We cannot grow it in a seedless way. Moreover, sowing seeds for seedlings begins early - from February 5, to March 15, . Seedlings are planted in the garden no earlier than mid-May.

Daikon

Since the daikon is essentially a winter radish, and it is intended for long storage, the optimal sowing period is from June 20 to the end of July .

Legumes (peas, beans, beans)

Peas and beans are not afraid of cold weather. They are recommended to be sown as early as at the end of April . Beans are more thermophilic, so they are planted from May 20, until the end of the month.

When to plant strawberries and strawberries

Strawberries (aka strawberries) are planted in different ways. The most common option is planting with young rosettes from mother bushes. In this case, the ideal dates for planting strawberries in the Middle lane will be periods from April 15 to May 5 and from 25 July to 5 September .

But let's not forget that this berry can also be grown from seeds.

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