When Should You Start Planting a Garden?

Gardening is a great way to enjoy nature. It’s also an excellent way to save money and enjoy fresh vegetables.

The first step to a successful garden is soil preparation. It’s best to till and amend the soil in the fall. This helps the plants grow more efficiently, and gives you a jump start on spring planting.

Spring

The best time to plant a garden is usually the beginning of spring. This allows you to start growing crops that will be ready for harvest by summer. If you want to grow a large variety of vegetables, this is the ideal time to plant them.

Some vegetables that you can sow in the spring include peas, spinach, radishes, and carrots. These can be direct-sown into your garden, or you may choose to sow seeds indoors for a head start.

Another great vegetable to plant early in the spring is beets, which can be planted right after the last frost. Beets can be grown in containers or on the ground, and are easy to grow. If you want to plant them in the ground, make sure your soil is loose and rock-free. Soak the beet seeds in warm water to soften their shells before planting them half an inch deep.

Onions also do well in the spring and can be planted in soil mixed with compost. They need a lot of sunshine and fertile soil to grow, so they should be planted about two weeks after the last frost.

You can sow sweet corn, cucumbers, tomatoes, and watermelon in the spring. These crops are great to eat all summer long and will be ready for harvest by late summer.

Other vegetables that can be planted in the spring include kale, collard greens, and broccoli. These are hearty vegetables that can be enjoyed all seasons, and kale is a particularly good choice for people who are new to gardening.

Finally, you can plant several perennials like asparagus and strawberries in the spring. These plants can be grown for a short period, and they’ll come back every year so you won’t have to replant them again.

Depending on your location, you may also be able to plant flower beds in the spring. Some flowers, such as bee balm and poppy, are best started inside, and can then be transplanted outdoors when temperatures warm up.

You can also add soil nutrients to your garden beds in the spring and then work in any cover crops that you haven’t worked on earlier in the year. These will greatly boost your crops and keep the soil healthy. This is also a good time to clear out any weeds that have appeared in your yard.

Summer

If you’re a serious gardener, summer is the time to get replanting and keep fresh veggies on your table through late fall. Unfortunately, many gardeners are tempted to get in too early and plant a whole garden before it’s time to sow seeds – which can lead to disaster in the long run!

This is why it’s crucial to know exactly when you can start planting a vegetable garden and what to plant. The first step is to identify what crops are best for your area, which can be determined by the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

Generally, the warmer temperatures of summer are ideal for most vegetables, including artichokes, beans, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, melons, peppers, and squash. These can be grown in a summer garden or containers, and require regular watering, plenty of sunlight, and supplemental fertilizer.

Another important consideration is when to harvest your garden’s fruits and vegetables. Fruits such as berries, tomatoes, and peppers are often ripe when the weather is warmest, so it’s wise to pick them when they’re at their most delicious. For a longer crop, choose varieties that ripen in different seasons.

Crops that do well in warm conditions include green onions, radishes, spinach, and mustard. They take up very little space in the garden and can be planted successionally for a continuous harvest.

Cucumbers and zucchini are also good choices for a summer vegetable garden. Both have a short germination time compared to other summer seeds, and they are great for sowing in late spring.

Other cool-weather crops that do well in summer include beets, sugar snap peas, and bush beans. These can be planted in mid to late summer for a fall crop and are easy to grow.

As a final note, it’s always a good idea to check your garden regularly for any damage or disease that you might be able to treat before they spread. This can help prevent costly and complex repairs later on.

In addition to soil, water is the most important element for any vegetable garden. It’s essential to irrigate the ground well and to avoid splashing water on leaves, which can spread disease. It’s also essential to mulch your garden after planting to help hold in soil moisture.

Fall

Fall is a great time to get new trees and shrubs in the ground, as well as perennials such as daisies, asters, and mums. Alternatively, you can use this season to divide existing perennials and replant them.

It’s a good idea to plant trees and shrubs in the fall because they appreciate warm soil temperatures that help them establish a strong root system before air temperatures become colder. You can also plant flowers and herbs in the fall, as they’re able to grow in cooler weather and wetter soil conditions.

You can plant vegetables in the fall, too, and this is a great way to add fresh flavor and color to your fall meals. Some fall crops are even storable, meaning they’ll keep longer in the garden once mature.

Many vegetables, including leafy greens and some root vegetables, love the cool weather of fall. The shorter days mean you’ll need to water less frequently, and a cooler climate will keep your plants more tender.

Whether you’re a veteran gardener or a newbie, autumn is a great time to get started growing your fruits and vegetables. Here are a few tips to help you plan and execute your fall vegetable garden:

First, consider what kinds of vegetables you’d like to plant. You’ll want to select varieties that are tolerant of cooler weather and are easy to grow. In addition, look for vegetables that can be harvested from late summer into early winter.

Next, determine when you’ll plant your vegetables. Check the “days to maturity” label on your seed packets or visit this site (click on the “Vegetables” or “Herbs” tab at the top of the page) for planting dates that suit your region.

If you live in a northern climate, you may be able to plant tender tomatoes and eggplants this fall. You’ll need to make sure that the vegetable you choose can handle a light freeze before you start sowing.

Once you’ve determined which vegetable seeds to plant this fall, check the garden for pests and diseases. If you find pests, such as cabbage worms, on your fall vegetables, you can take steps to prevent damage or treat the crop.

Winter

If you want to have a garden ready for harvest in winter, start seeding now. This is especially important if you live in a region that has very long, cold fall seasons (like Southern California). Many cool-season vegetables like beets, carrots, and chard will grow much better and taste sweeter if they’ve been exposed to some cold weather before harvesting.

While most plants need to be planted early in the growing season, some crops do fine when they’re started in late summer or autumn. Sowing a few rows of greens, such as spinach, arugula, or mustard greens, can give you plenty to harvest during these cold months.

For many leafy greens, a cold frame or cloche can help keep them protected from the cold. These simple structures can be constructed from PVC pipes that are bent into hoops, then covered with painter’s plastic. They’re a quick and easy way to extend the growing season for a few crops, including lettuce, spinach, kale, chard, beets, and Swiss chard.

Another great way to extend the growing season for a single crop is to add a new bed to your garden. This project is quick and easy, too – you just need to mark the borders of the bed with spray paint or string, then spread newspaper over the entire length and width (about eight sheets thick). Cover the newspaper with compost and mulch with shredded leaves or pine straw.

This will create a sheltered environment in your garden, keeping the soil warm and the air cool. It also keeps pests away from your garden, reducing your risk of disease.

Using raised garden beds in your winter vegetable garden will also improve the health of the soil. They raise the soil off the ground and encourage drainage, which is essential for healthy growth in the cold season.

If you aren’t using a raised garden bed, adding layers of newspaper and shredded leaves will also keep the soil warm in cold weather. This will encourage growth and increase nutrient levels for your seedlings.