Wondering when to plant your vegetables?
Timing is everything!
Discover the best times to plant and why it matters for a thriving garden.
Ready to become a planting pro?
Let’s dive into the ultimate guide!
Tomatoes
- Planting Time: Aim for warm soil after the risk of frost has passed, typically between May and July.
- Conditions: Ensure full sunlight exposure.
- Harvesting: Pick your tomatoes at peak ripeness during August to September or as fall starts.
Onions
Onions are a key component in many dishes, imparting essential flavors that are cherished globally. These root vegetables thrive in regions that provide full sunlight and well-drained soil. It’s common practice to plant them in two primary seasons:
- Early Growth Period: Late winter to spring (March-April)
- Late Growth Period: Summer’s tail end (August-September)
Growth and Harvesting:
- Scallions: The green shoots, also known as scallions, offer a milder taste and can be picked during any growth phase.
- Mature Onions: To achieve full-sized bulbs, await the yellowing and drooping of the tops. This typically happens towards late summer or the inception of autumn.
Post-Harvest:
Keep in mind that post-harvest, your onions require a curing phase. This entails placing them in a warm, arid, and airy space. Such a method enhances their shelf life and enriches their taste. With proper care, you can enjoy the robustness of onions throughout your cooking experiences.
Peppers
- Planting Time: Late spring to early summer, post-frost.
- Conditions: Require warm soil and direct sunlight.
- Harvesting: Pick when fully colored and sized, typically late summer to early fall.
Squash
Summer Varieties:
- Planting: Late spring to early summer
- Harvest: Mid to late summer, when young and tender
Winter Varieties:
- Planting: Late summer
- Harvest: Late fall, once skin is tough to puncture
Carrots
- Planting Time: Early spring or late summer are ideal periods.
- Soil Requirements: Optimal growth in loose, well-draining soil.
- Sun Exposure: Full sunlight is necessary.
- Harvesting: Pull carrots out when they’ve matured in size and color, which takes about 60-80 days.
- Spring-planted carrots are ready between May and June.
- Late summer-planted carrots should be harvested from late October to early November.
Broccoli
Broccoli thrives in cooler weather. Plant between March and April for the spring season or between August and September for a fall crop. It favors a mix of sun and shade.
| Timing | Conditions | Harvest Period |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Cool, partial shade | Late spring to early summer |
| Fall | Cool, partial shade | Late fall to early winter |
To yield the best produce, pick the heads while they are dense and before any yellow blossoms appear. This is typically within 60 to 80 days post-planting.
Cucumbers
To ensure a successful yield, plant your cucumbers when all danger of frost has passed, typically from May to June. They flourish in locations that offer ample sunlight and soils that facilitate consistent drainage. Keep an eye out for the optimal time to harvest—roughly 50 to 70 days after sowing—when they’re at the size you want, firm to the touch, and maintain a vibrant green color. Continual harvesting can occur during the peak summer months, from June through August, until the plants noticeably begin to wither.
Lettuce
Lettuce thrives in cooler conditions, so it’s ideal to plant during the beginning of spring or autumn. Here’s how to optimize your lettuce growing:
- Planting Times: Early spring or fall are preferable—March to April or September to October.
- Preferred Conditions: Moderate temperatures with some shade work best.
- Harvesting Window: Typically between 30 and 70 days post-planting, depending on lettuce type.
- Spring Harvest: Aim for late spring to early summer.
- Fall Harvest: Late fall to early winter is suitable.
Monitor growth and pick leaves when ample but prior to any bitterness or bolting.
Beans
- Planting Time: Schedule your bean planting when the threat of frost has passed, typically from May through June.
- Sunlight Needs: Ensure that the planting site is bathed in full sunlight.
- Soil Requirements: Opt for a location with soil that allows for adequate drainage.
- Harvesting Tips: Pick green beans when pods are still supple and the internal seeds are not fully mature, usually 50-60 days post-planting. Keep harvesting from July to August until the yield ceases.
Radishes
To cultivate radishes successfully, plant them during the cooler parts of the year. Initiate planting either between March and April or from August to September. They thrive in a cool, sunlit environment. Typically, radishes mature for harvest within 20 to 30 days post-planting.
Planting Timeframes
- Early Spring: March-April
- Late Summer: August-September
Optimal Conditions
- Cool soil
- Abundant sunlight
Harvesting Period
- Spring-planted: Late spring to early summer
- Summer-planted: Late summer to early fall
Check for firmness and crispness to determine if they’re ready for harvest.
Beets
Planting Time: Sow beet seeds when the ground is cool during early spring or late summer.
Soil & Sunlight: Ensure soil is well-aerated and the location receives ample sunlight.
Growth Timeline: It typically takes between 50-70 days post-sowing to mature.
Harvesting:
- Spring: Pick when roots are sizable and tender, around late spring to early summer.
- Late Summer: For a late summer planting, harvest from late fall to early winter.