- When the soil dries enough to work, in the early spring, plant broccoli, beets, peas, radishes and onion sets. These plants and seeds will survive a mild frost and grow well when temperatures are cooler, generally in March and early April. As the temperatures rise, after the last frost, plant potatoes, bush beans, lettuce and cabbage. Warm weather crops, such as pole beans, sweet corn and tomatoes go into the ground in May. Plant melons and cucumbers at this time, also.
- A second planting of beets, radishes and lettuce do well in the early summer but should be avoided after June. July and August bring hot weather and is suitable for preparing a winter sowing bed or a garden area for fall and winter crops. Summer is the time to prepare areas for new fruit trees and berry plants. You may choose to plant a second crop of early maturing sweet corn in July.
- Plant fruit trees after the first hard frost. Do not fertilize when you plant, to avoid any new growth the winter may damage. You can also plant garlic, berry and grape vines in the fall, to establish them for production the following year. Mulch the new plantings well to avoid damage from the cold temperatures. Fall is also the time to add lime or fresh manure to a garden area so the soil is ready for planting in the spring.
- Late winter is the time to start any indoor seeds for the spring garden. The seed packets give an approximate time for proper planting, generally 6 to 8 weeks before the last known frost. For seeds needing a pre-chilling period, or stratification, sow them outdoors in covered containers at the end of January or early February. The winter thaws and freezes trick the seeds into thinking the growing conditions were met for germination.
Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter
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