Plan your garden year with our comprehensive seasonal planting guide
Plan Your Perfect Growing Year
Timing is everything in gardening. Our comprehensive seasonal planting calendar shows exactly what to plant, when to plant it, and how to succeed. Whether you’re growing vegetables, herbs, or ornamentals, this guide ensures you’re planting at the optimal time for your region.
Note: Dates vary by region. Adjust based on your local frost dates and USDA hardiness zone. For most temperate climates, use the following general timeline.
π± Spring Planting Guide (March-May)
Spring Overview
Spring is the most important planting season! Warmer soil temperatures and increasing daylight encourage rapid growth. This is prime time for starting seeds indoors and transplanting seedlings outdoors after the last frost date.
Early Spring (March)
Start seeds indoors and plant cool-season crops directly in soil:
π₯¬ Leafy Greens
π₯ Root Vegetables
π§ Alliums
πΏ Herbs
Mid-Spring (April)
After last frost date, plant warm-season crops and warm-loving herbs:
π Nightshades
π« Legumes
πΆοΈ Warm Herbs
π» Flowers
Late Spring (May)
Complete warm-season plantings and succession plant cool-season crops for early summer harvest:
π₯ Cucurbits
π₯¬ Succession Planting
Spring Maintenance Tasks
- Harden off seedlings: Gradually expose indoor seedlings to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days
- Prepare beds: Amend soil with compost and work in slow-release fertilizer
- Monitor temperatures: Check local frost dates before transplanting heat-lovers
- Water deeply: Seedlings need consistent moisture to establish
- Mulch early: Apply 2-3 inches of mulch after soil warms
- Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost date
- Use row covers to protect tender seedlings from frost
- Plant taller crops on north side so they don’t shade shorter plants
- Check soil temperature before planting warm-season crops
βοΈ Summer Planting Guide (June-August)
Summer Overview
Summer is maintenance season! Most spring plantings are growing vigorously. Focus on succession planting for fall harvest, maintaining adequate watering, and preparing for late summer/early fall plantings.
Early Summer (June)
Focus on care and succession planting of long-maturing crops:
πΎ Grains & Crops
π« Bean Succession
π₯ Summer Squash
Mid-Summer (July)
Begin planting fall crops in prepared beds:
π₯¬ Fall Greens
π₯ Fall Root Crops
Late Summer (August)
Continue fall plantings and plan for cooler season crops:
π₯¦ Brassicas
π§ Fall Alliums
Summer Care Tips
- Water deeply: Water early morning to reduce disease
- Mulch heavily: 3-4 inches conserves moisture in heat
- Provide shade: Use shade cloth or plant greens near taller crops
- Monitor for pests: Check plants regularly in warm weather
- Deadhead flowers: Encourage continued blooming
π Fall Planting Guide (September-November)
Fall Overview
Fall is the second prime planting season! Cooler temperatures and shorter days favor fast-growing leafy greens and root vegetables. Most crops planted now will mature before hard freeze.
Early Fall (September)
Perfect for cool-season crops and garlic planting:
π₯¬ Fall Greens
π₯ Root Vegetables
π§ Garlic Sets
Mid-Fall (October)
Succession plantings and bulbs for spring bloom:
π₯¦ Brassicas
π· Spring Bulbs
Late Fall (November)
Quick-harvest crops and preparing beds for winter:
π₯¬ Last Greens
Fall Preparation Tasks
- Amend soil: Add compost and cover crops before winter
- Plant garlic: Best planted in September-October
- Plant bulbs: Spring bulbs need cold period (October-November)
- Extend season: Use row covers or cold frames for frost protection
- Clean up: Remove diseased plants to prevent winter pest harboring
βοΈ Winter Planting Guide (December-February)
Winter Overview
Winter is mainly a planning season in most regions, though hardy crops can survive with protection. Focus on planning next year’s garden and protecting perennials from harsh cold.
π₯¬ Winter Greens
πΏ Winter Herbs
Mid-Winter (January)
Planning and indoor seed starting season:
- Start seeds indoors: Late January for spring planting (6-8 weeks before last frost)
- Plan garden layout: Consider crop rotation and companion planting
- Order seeds: Popular varieties sell out early
- Test soil: Get results back before spring preparation
- Start compost: Layer brown and green materials
Late Winter (February)
Seed starting and early season preparation:
- Start warm-season seeds: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant (8-10 weeks before last frost)
- Prepare beds: Clear debris and plan amendments
- Prune perennials: Cut back dead growth from winter
- Start cool-season seeds: Lettuce, broccoli for spring transplant
- Check stored bulbs: Ensure they’re staying cool and dry
Winter Protection Tips
- Row covers: Protect tender greens during freezes
- Cold frames: Create mini-greenhouse for hardy crops
- Mulch perennials: 4-6 inches protects roots from hard freeze
- Water early: Moist soil retains heat better than dry
- Drain irrigation: Prevent freeze damage to watering systems
π Quick Reference: Annual Planting Guide
| Month | Direct Sow | Transplant Outdoors | Key Tasks |
|---|---|---|---|
| March | Lettuce, spinach, peas, radishes | Onions, leeks | Start seeds indoors, prepare beds |
| April | Beans, carrots, beets, corn | Tomatoes, peppers, herbs, flowers | Monitor frost dates, harden off seedlings |
| May | Cucumbers, squash, melons, basil | All warm-season plants | Succession plant, add mulch |
| June | Beans, corn, succession crops | Late sweet potatoes | Water deeply, maintain plants |
| July | Fall lettuce, spinach, greens | Broccoli, cabbage transplants | Begin fall planting, provide shade |
| August | Fall brassicas, root crops | Garlic, onions (sets) | Plant cool-season crops |
| September | Greens, spinach, radishes | Garlic cloves | Plant spring bulbs if starting early |
| October | Garlic cloves, mache | Spring bulbs (tulips, daffodils) | Succession plant greens |
| November | Spinach, winter lettuce | None (ground may freeze) | Mulch beds, clean up debris |
| December | Winter greens (with protection) | None | Plan next year’s garden |
| January | None outdoors | Start seeds indoors | Order seeds, plan rotations |
| February | None outdoors | Start warm-season seeds indoors | Prepare beds, prune perennials |
π‘οΈ Understanding Frost Dates
Frost dates are critical for successful gardening. They determine when to plant warm-season crops.
Last Spring Frost Date
The average date when the last frost of spring occurs in your area. After this date, it’s generally safe to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes, peppers, and squash.
First Fall Frost Date
The average date when the first frost of fall occurs. Cool-season crops planted after this date need to mature before this date arrives.
- Visit almanac.com/gardening/frostdates
- Enter your ZIP code to get local dates
- Also check with local cooperative extension office
- Ask neighbors about their experience
- Keep records for accurate planning
Temperature Guide by Crop
| Crop Type | Minimum Soil Temp | Ideal Range | When to Plant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cool-Season (lettuce, spinach, peas) | 40Β°F | 50-65Β°F | Early spring, fall |
| Warm-Season (tomatoes, peppers, squash) | 60Β°F | 65-80Β°F | After last frost date |
| Hot-Season (okra, sweet potato) | 65Β°F | 70-85Β°F | Late spring/early summer |
| Fall Cool-Season (broccoli, kale) | 45Β°F | 55-70Β°F | Mid-summer for fall harvest |
π Succession Planting Strategy
Instead of planting everything at once, stagger plantings every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvests throughout the season.
How to Succession Plant
- Week 1: Plant first batch of beans, lettuce, or carrots
- Week 3: Plant second batch in adjacent bed or same area
- Week 5: Plant third batch while first is still producing
- Continue: Repeat until 8 weeks before first frost date
Best Crops for Succession Planting
- π₯¬ Lettuce & greens – every 2 weeks
- π« Beans – every 3 weeks
- π₯ Carrots – every 2-3 weeks
- π₯ Cucumbers – every 2 weeks in early season
- πΆοΈ Radishes – every 10 days for quick succession
- π§ Onions & garlic – spring & fall
π Garden Planning Tips
Crop Rotation
Rotate plant families each year to prevent disease buildup and soil depletion:
- Year 1: Plant tomatoes/peppers (nightshades) in Bed A
- Year 2: Plant beans/peas (legumes) in Bed A
- Year 3: Plant lettuce/greens (leafy) in Bed A
- Year 4: Plant root crops (carrots/beets) in Bed A
Keep Garden Records
- π Planting dates and varieties used
- π‘οΈ Last spring frost and first fall frost dates
- π Harvest dates and yields
- π Pest and disease issues encountered
- β Top performers to plant again
- β Varieties to skip next year
Companion Planting Benefits
Certain plants grow better together:
- π Tomatoes + Basil = Better flavor & pest control
- π₯ Carrots + Onions = Pest deterrent
- π« Beans + Squash + Corn = Three Sisters method
- π₯¬ Lettuce + Radishes = Space efficient
- πΏ Herbs + Vegetables = Improved growth