Seasonal calendar

Every season has something to grow

Use this as a friendly starting point, then check your local climate and frost dates before planting.

Your garden has its own calendar.Planting times vary by region, climate, elevation, and frost dates. A nearby garden center or extension office can help you fine-tune the timing.
01

New growth

Spring

Fresh starts, quick greens, and the first warm-weather seedlings.

BasilHerb · 50–75 days
TomatoFruiting Plant · 60–85 days
CilantroHerb · 30–45 days
LettuceLeafy Green · 30–55 days
SpinachLeafy Green · 35–50 days
RadishRoot Crop · 22–35 days
CarrotRoot Crop · 60–80 days
JalapeñoFruiting Plant · 70–90 days
StrawberryFruiting Plant · 90–120 days
Green OnionRoot Crop · 50–70 days
ZucchiniFruiting Plant · 45–60 days
MintHerb · 30–45 days

Garden Library reminders

Seeds need moisture, air, and timing

Mist or bottom-water gently until sprouts appear, then move seedlings into bright light quickly so stems stay sturdy.

Transplants prefer a gentle landing

Water before moving, handle the root ball gently, plant at the right depth, and protect from harsh sun or wind while it settles.

Garden notes turn mistakes into local knowledge

Write down sowing dates, first harvests, pest sightings, and what you would change next time.

Spring sources
  • Introduction to Horticulture, Revised Fourth Edition Teacher’s Manual (2009), Plant Propagation, pp. 23–25Used for seed-starting and vegetative propagation concepts.
  • The Well-Tended Perennial Garden (2017), Planting and Renovation, pp. 45–61Used for planting depth, mulch, watering, fertilizing, and weed control.
  • The Well-Tended Perennial Garden (2017), Perennial Garden Planting and Maintenance Schedule, pp. 379–391Used for month-by-month seasonal maintenance themes.
02

High season

Summer

Long sunny days for herbs, peppers, tomatoes, and squash.

BasilHerb · 50–75 days
TomatoFruiting Plant · 60–85 days
JalapeñoFruiting Plant · 70–90 days
StrawberryFruiting Plant · 90–120 days
Green OnionRoot Crop · 50–70 days
ZucchiniFruiting Plant · 45–60 days
MintHerb · 30–45 days

Garden Library reminders

Vegetables like steady water, not surprise floods

Water at the soil line, soak deeply when needed, and use mulch where appropriate to slow moisture swings.

Identify pests before you act

Look under leaves, check watering and airflow, remove badly affected leaves, and choose the least disruptive control that fits the actual problem.

Pinching redirects growth

For leafy herbs, snip just above a pair of leaves and harvest little amounts often.

Summer sources
  • Introduction to Horticulture, Revised Fourth Edition Teacher’s Manual (2009), Olericulture—Vegetable Production, pp. 59–61Used for vegetable-growing factors including temperature, light, water, and soil.
  • Introduction to Horticulture, Revised Fourth Edition Teacher’s Manual (2009), Irrigation Systems, pp. 71–72Used for plant water use and soil-moisture checks.
  • The Well-Tended Perennial Garden (2017), Planting and Renovation, pp. 45–61Used for planting depth, mulch, watering, fertilizing, and weed control.
  • Introduction to Horticulture, Revised Fourth Edition Teacher’s Manual (2009), Pest Management, pp. 29–31Used for pest categories and integrated pest management framing.
  • The Well-Tended Perennial Garden (2017), Pests and Diseases, pp. 63–73Used for prevention-first pest and disease guidance.
  • The Well-Tended Perennial Garden (2017), Introduction to Pruning, pp. 85–93Used for why gardeners prune, pinch, and cut back plants.
  • The Well-Tended Perennial Garden (2017), Cutting Back, pp. 107–119Used for renewal pruning, height control, and post-pruning recovery care.
  • The Well-Tended Perennial Garden (2017), Pinching, Disbudding, Thinning, and Deadleafing, pp. 121–127Used for plant-shaping terminology and beginner-friendly pruning distinctions.
03

Second spring

Fall

Cooler air brings leafy greens and crisp roots back into focus.

CilantroHerb · 30–45 days
LettuceLeafy Green · 30–55 days
SpinachLeafy Green · 35–50 days
RadishRoot Crop · 22–35 days
CarrotRoot Crop · 60–80 days
Green OnionRoot Crop · 50–70 days
MintHerb · 30–45 days

Garden Library reminders

Test and observe before amending

Before filling a bed, do one drainage check and, for in-ground gardens, consider a soil test before adding fertilizer.

Cool crops reward consistency

Thin early, keep moisture even, and use morning sun or afternoon shade when warm weather arrives.

Garden notes turn mistakes into local knowledge

Write down sowing dates, first harvests, pest sightings, and what you would change next time.

Fall sources
  • Introduction to Horticulture, Revised Fourth Edition Teacher’s Manual (2009), Media, Nutrients, and Fertilizers, pp. 26–27Used for soil texture, growing media, and nutrient guidance.
  • The Well-Tended Perennial Garden (2017), Bed Preparation: Insurance for Success, pp. 29–43Used for soil testing, drainage, pH, organic matter, and bed preparation.
  • Introduction to Horticulture, Revised Fourth Edition Teacher’s Manual (2009), Olericulture—Vegetable Production, pp. 59–61Used for vegetable-growing factors including temperature, light, water, and soil.
  • Introduction to Horticulture, Revised Fourth Edition Teacher’s Manual (2009), Irrigation Systems, pp. 71–72Used for plant water use and soil-moisture checks.
  • The Well-Tended Perennial Garden (2017), Perennial Garden Planting and Maintenance Schedule, pp. 379–391Used for month-by-month seasonal maintenance themes.
04

Quiet tending

Winter

Mild-climate crops and indoor planning keep the garden story going.

CilantroHerb · 30–45 days
LettuceLeafy Green · 30–55 days
SpinachLeafy Green · 35–50 days
RadishRoot Crop · 22–35 days
CarrotRoot Crop · 60–80 days
Green OnionRoot Crop · 50–70 days

Garden Library reminders

Test and observe before amending

Before filling a bed, do one drainage check and, for in-ground gardens, consider a soil test before adding fertilizer.

The right site prevents half the problems

Before planting, ask whether the crop wants heat or coolness, full sun or some shade, and a pot or deeper garden bed.

Garden notes turn mistakes into local knowledge

Write down sowing dates, first harvests, pest sightings, and what you would change next time.

Winter sources
  • Introduction to Horticulture, Revised Fourth Edition Teacher’s Manual (2009), Media, Nutrients, and Fertilizers, pp. 26–27Used for soil texture, growing media, and nutrient guidance.
  • The Well-Tended Perennial Garden (2017), Bed Preparation: Insurance for Success, pp. 29–43Used for soil testing, drainage, pH, organic matter, and bed preparation.
  • The Well-Tended Perennial Garden (2017), Design and Its Relationship to Maintenance, pp. 12–27Used for matching plants to site conditions and maintenance expectations.
  • Introduction to Horticulture, Revised Fourth Edition Teacher’s Manual (2009), Olericulture—Vegetable Production, pp. 59–61Used for vegetable-growing factors including temperature, light, water, and soil.
  • The Well-Tended Perennial Garden (2017), Perennial Garden Planting and Maintenance Schedule, pp. 379–391Used for month-by-month seasonal maintenance themes.