Vegetable Gardening Timelines and Tips

The information in this table covers only the basics of vegetable 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	Sowing date Indoor	Sowing date Garden	Spacing P=Plants R=Rows	Seed planting depth	Time to maturity	Comments
Asparagus	N/A	Perennial... plant in early spring	P=14" R=24-36"	4-5"	Second year	Do not harvest the first year to allow the plant to become established. Apply a heavy mulch in winter to help prevent the roots from heaving out of the ground.
Bush beans	N/A	April-May	P=4" R=18-24"	1 1/2"	60 days	Harvest when young and tender. Plant a fall vegetable in this area after harvest.
Pole beans	N/A	May	P=36" R=48"	1 1/2-2"	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"	1/2"	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"	1/2-1"	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
Cabbage	Feb-March Into garden in May	April	P=24" R=24-36"	1/2"	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"	1/2"	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"	1/2"	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	N/A	P=24" R=36"	1/2"	4-5+ months	Needs excellent drainge, a long growing season and warm soil.
Lettuce	Feb.-March Set in garden in early April	April	P=8-12" R=18-24"	1/4"	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.
Onions	February Set in garden in April	Plant onion sets in April	P=3" R=12-18"	1/2"	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" (doubled rows) R=72"	1 1/2-2"	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"	1/2"	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 in early April	April	P=1-3" R=18-24"	1/2"	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"	3/4"	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"	1/2"	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	1/2-1"	4-5 months	Grows well in warm areas, prefers rich organic soil.
Tomatoes	March	May	P=30-36" R=30-36"	1/2"	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.

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