Do you have a planting calendar? Do you know when to plant vegetables in your region? Climate plays a very important role in determining what to plant and when to plant vegetables. If you plant too early, then the frost will damage your crops. If you plant too late, then your vegetables won’t get the sunshine and the exposure they need for optimum growth.
The calendar was designed as a guide to help gardeners determine the best time and the best month when to plant vegetables. The key is to know the planting region you’re in and then you’re all set. Depending on your location, you may even get a bonus harvest!
Guidelines on when to plant vegetables:
Cool Weather
Cool weather planting has an entirely different set of rules to follow. When to plant vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, asparagus and broccoli depend on how mild the cold weather is. So do beets, cauliflower and celery. An entirely different group will thrive in mild to a little bit frosty weather, these are peas, parsnips and radish. Don’t forget the hardy rhubarb, rutabaga, onions and leeks. Add mustard to the mix and some lettuce, too. These veggies do not like humidity and hot weather so more often than not, they will never grow during summer. A lot of gardeners have tried extending their growing season, but it never works. Just stick to mild and cool weather and you’ll have them come out so hearty and plump! Don’t forget that these vegetables need extra care to achieve the desired healthy produce.
Warm Weather
On the other hand, we have vegetables that worship the sun! And just like the cold weather vegetables, when to plant vegetables that are sun worshipers will depend on your region. These include lima beans, snap beans, cantaloupes, watermelons, melons, chayote, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplants, okra, peppers, potatoes both sweet and white, pumpkins, squash, and tomatoes. These veggies will certainly grow even when it is humid so make sure you get all these roots and seeds ready so you can quickly plant them on a sunny day. And with this group, you will definitely see them thrive and grow fast under this sunny condition.
Proper Cleaning of the Planting Sites
When to plant vegetables also require that you pay attention to the site where they will go. Sometimes, even if the calendar says it is time, the ground is not ready yet. This is true for vegetables in the North East that are planted in April. Depending on how severe the past winter was, the ground may still be covered in ice. Be the judge of when the soil will be ready for your seeds.
A lot of times, we also experience late frost, especially in early to mid-May. Again, the ground cover determines, too, when to plant vegetables in areas that get moderate to severe winters.
Proper care and maintenance should also be given to ensure that the planting site is optimized for vegetable planting. Clear it of any debris, rocks, hard packed soil. Nourish it with organic fertilizer and let the fertilizer blend well and incorporate into the soil.
Most vegetables are harvested every three o four months. Ensure that the soil is turned as soon as you harvest so that a second harvest can be had. When to plant vegetables and when to harvest them also depend on how long the planting season is. Just remember that a greenhouse can extend the season of any vegetable or plant.
If you want to know how to make a greenhouse in order to extend the growing season, check out your local Home Builders, since a lot of units are now pre-fabricated and pre-finished. Imagine having vegetables in your own greenhouse!
Now that you know when to plant vegetables, the next step is to focus on the varieties of the seeds you’ll plant. Try varieties you’ve never planted before and experience the new taste of old vegetables. Vegetables you’ve always loved.
After all, there’s joy in planting, but there’s even more joy in harvesting!
Tags: when to plant vegetables, how to make a greenhouse