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Vegetable Growing Tips and Planting Guides

The information in this table covers only the basics of vegetable garden planting.

The planting dates are approximate and usually based on the warming of the soil.
Because there are 'new and improved' hybrids of many of these plants developed each year, more detailed information should be taken from the seed packets as to actual timing and planting specifications in your area.
As you plan which foods that you'd like to grow in your garden, remember that among other things, you must also take the following into account:
pH Requirements of Different Garden Vegetables
Vegetable Gardening Basics (Planning, Preparing the soil, and Planting)
Testing and Adjusting Your Soil pH

Plant

Sow Indoor

Sow in Garden

Spacing

P=Plants
R=Rows

Seed depth

Maturity

Comments

Asparagus n/a Perennial
Plant in early spring
P=12"
R=3-4 ft.
4-5" Second year Normally sold and planted as "crowns"
Soak crowns for 3 hours prior to planting
Apply a superphosphate fertilizer (0-20-0) before planting
Do not harvest the first year
Apply a heavy mulch in winter
Beans, bush n/a April-May P=4"
R=18-24"
1½" 60 days Harvest when young and tender. Plant a fall vegetable in this area after harvest.
Beans, pole n/a May P=36"
R=48"
1½-2" 60 days Plant 4-6 seeds around a 6-8 inch pole or use a trellis.
Beets n/a April and again in June P=4"
R=18"
½" 40-70 days Thinned plants and beet tops may also be eaten. Dig and store in a cool place prior to the first freeze.
Broccoli n/a April-May
P=24"
R=30-36"
½-1" 4-5 months Harvest the main Broccoli heads before they open. The plant will produce an extended crop of smaller heads through the rest of the summer
Brussels Sprouts n/a Plants: early spring
Seeds: late June
P=18-24"
R=3 ft.
¼" 90 days Cool season crop
Harvest when small (1"-2")
Will survive light frost
Cabbage Feb-March, Into garden in May April P=24"
R=24-36"
½" 4-5 months Requires a soil pH of 5.5 or higher. Feed with a high nitrogen fertilizer every 4 weeks.
Carrots n/a April and again in July P=2-4"
R=18-24"
½" 90 days Sow early, harvest when young. Sow successive plantings every three weeks.
Cauliflower Jan.-Feb. Into garden in May May P=15"
R=24-36"
½" 4-5 months Won't tolerate high temperatures, harvest before the head opens up. Sow seeds for a second crop in May.
Corn (sweet) n/a May Successive plantings every 2 weeks P=3"
R=24"
1" 2-3 months Should be planted closely together in blocks rather than rows to insure good pollination. Corn is at it's very sweetest the moment it is picked.
Cucumbers n/a May-June P=36-48"
R=36-48"
3-4 plants per mound
1" 2-3 months Spread a mulch of black plastic to the area before the vines begin to spread. Prompt harvesting will prolong the fruiting period.
Eggplants Feb.-March Set in garden in May 2 weeks after last frost P=24"
R=36"
¼" 4-5+ months Use bedding plants in short season areas, Needs excellent drainge and warm soil.
Horseradish n/a Perennial
Plant in early spring
P=4 ft. 2" First Fall Normally sold as a root cutting. Plant roots at slight downward angle. Requires moist, rich, organic soil.May become a weed
Lettuce Feb.-March Set in garden in early April April P=8-12"
R=18-24"
¼" 70-90 days Grows best in the cool temperatures of spring and fall. Needs very rich soil and lots of moisture. Plant successive crops every two weeks til the end of April.
Okra n/a 2 weeks after last frost P=12"
R=3-4 ft.
¾" 50-75 days Harvest when young (2"-3")
Harvest often to encourage production
Choose fast maturing varieties
Onions February Set in garden in April Plant onion sets in April P=3"
R=12-18"
½" seeds 3-4 months sets 50-60 days Plant as early as possible. Apply a fertilizer high in phosphorus and potash. Onion sets may also be grown in planters.
Peas n/a April Successive plantings every 2 weeks P=3-6" (double row)
R=72"
1½-2" 60 days Do best in cool temperatures, so plant early and harvest when the peas are young.
Peppers Feb.-March Set in garden in May May P=24"
R=24"
½" 4-5 months Do not provide too much nitrogen or you'll have lots of plant, little fruit. A black plastic mulch will warm the soil and promote good growth.
Potatoes n/a April-May P=8"
R=36"
3-6" 90-150 days Plant a chunk of a 'seed' potato, containing 2 or more eyes. Harvest when the vine begins to die or has died completely. Leave the potatoes laying on the ground for a day to harden them and prevent bruising.
Pumpkins n/a May P=6-8"
R=36"
3-4" 4-5 months Pumpkins take up a lot of room, so sometimes it is better to plant them outside of the garden. Will tolerate a small amount of shade.
Radishes Feb.-March Into garden early April April P=1-3"
R=18-24"
½" 30 days Plant radishes early. They will go to flower when the warm temperatures arrive.
Rhubarb n/a Perennial
Plant in early spring
P=24"
R=24-36"
¾" Second spring Ready to harvest early in spring. Rhubarb likes soil high in organic material. Keep the bloom spikes cut off. Easily dividable.
Spinach n/a April P=6"
R=12-18"
½" 90 days Soil pH should be between 6.0 and 6.7 Apply nitrate of soda between the rows to stimulate growth. Harvest spinach when young or the plants will go to seed.
Squash n/a May-June P=36"
R=36" 3-4 plants per mound
½-1" 4-5 months Grows well in warm areas, prefers rich organic soil.
Tomatoes March May P=30-36"
R=30-36"
½" 4-5 months Provide frost protection when first planted. Tomato plants may be trained on stakes, grown in cages, or allowed to crawl along the ground. Tomatoes will ripen after they have been picked.
Watermelons and muskmelons n/a May P=72"
R=72" 1-2 plants per mound
1" 4-5 months Do best in sandy soil with plenty of added manure. Top dress with high nitrogen/potash fertilizer. Needs warm temperatures to mature.