Successful gardening requires understanding the rhythm of seasons and planting accordingly. This comprehensive seasonal guide helps you plan your garden for continuous harvests throughout the year.
Understanding Your Growing Zone
Before diving into seasonal planting, identify your USDA hardiness zone. This determines your first and last frost dates—critical information for timing plantings.
Key Dates to Know
| Zone | Last Spring Frost | First Fall Frost | Growing Season Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | May 15 | September 15 | 120 days |
| Zone 4 | May 10 | October 1 | 140 days |
| Zone 5 | April 30 | October 15 | 165 days |
| Zone 6 | April 15 | October 30 | 195 days |
| Zone 7 | April 1 | November 15 | 225 days |
| Zone 8 | March 15 | November 30 | 260 days |
| Zone 9 | February 15 | December 15 | 300 days |
Spring Planting (March - May)
Spring is the most exciting time for gardeners. As soil warms and days lengthen, a wide variety of crops can be planted.
Early Spring (4-6 weeks before last frost)
Cool-Season Crops:
| Crop | Days to Harvest | Spacing | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peas | 60-70 | 2 inches | Plant as soon as soil can be worked |
| Lettuce | 45-55 | 6-8 inches | Succession plant every 2 weeks |
| Spinach | 40-50 | 3-4 inches | Bolts in heat, plant early |
| Radishes | 25-30 | 2 inches | Fast-growing, good for kids |
| Kale | 55-75 | 12-18 inches | Frost improves flavor |
| Broccoli | 60-90 | 18-24 inches | Start indoors 6-8 weeks early |
| Cabbage | 70-100 | 18-24 inches | Needs consistent moisture |
| Onions | 100-120 | 4-6 inches | Plant sets or transplants |
Late Spring (After last frost)
Warm-Season Crops:
| Crop | Days to Harvest | Spacing | Temperature Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | 60-85 | 24-36 inches | Soil above 60°F |
| Peppers | 60-90 | 18-24 inches | Soil above 65°F |
| Cucumbers | 50-70 | 12-18 inches | Soil above 70°F |
| Squash | 50-60 | 24-36 inches | Soil above 70°F |
| Beans | 50-60 | 3-6 inches | Soil above 60°F |
| Corn | 60-90 | 12 inches | Plant in blocks for pollination |
| Melons | 80-100 | 36-48 inches | Need long, hot season |
Summer Planting (June - August)
Summer isn't just for harvesting—it's also time to plant fall and winter crops.
Early Summer (June - July)
Succession Plantings:
- Plant more beans every 2-3 weeks
- Sow lettuce in shaded areas
- Plant quick-maturing varieties of squash
- Start fall brassicas indoors
Late Summer (August)
Fall Crop Planting:
| Crop | Plant By (Zone 6) | Days to Harvest | Frost Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lettuce | August 15 | 45-55 | Light frost |
| Spinach | August 20 | 40-50 | Heavy frost |
| Kale | August 1 | 55-75 | Heavy frost |
| Carrots | August 1 | 70-80 | Light frost |
| Beets | August 1 | 50-70 | Light frost |
| Radishes | September 1 | 25-30 | Light frost |
| Turnips | August 15 | 50-60 | Heavy frost |
Fall Planting (September - November)
Fall gardening extends your harvest season and often produces superior flavor in cool-season crops.
Early Fall (September)
Cool-Season Favorites:
- Lettuce and salad greens
- Spinach
- Arugula
- Mustard greens
- Asian greens (bok choy, mizuna)
Late Fall (October - November)
Garlic Planting:
Plant garlic cloves 4-6 weeks before ground freezes for next summer's harvest.
| Garlic Type | Best Zones | Clove Size | Spacing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardneck | 1-6 | Large | 6 inches |
| Softneck | 7-10 | Medium | 4-6 inches |
Cover Crops:
Plant cover crops to improve soil over winter:
- Winter rye
- Crimson clover
- Hairy vetch
- Austrian winter peas
Winter Planting (December - February)
Even in winter, gardening opportunities exist.
Cold Frame and Greenhouse Growing
| Crop | Temperature Range | Growing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Lettuce | 45-65°F | 45-60 days |
| Spinach | 35-65°F | 40-50 days |
| Mâche | 40-60°F | 50-60 days |
| Claytonia | 40-60°F | 40-50 days |
| Arugula | 45-65°F | 35-45 days |
Indoor Seed Starting
Start these crops indoors 6-8 weeks before last spring frost:
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Eggplant
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
Succession Planting Strategy
Maximize harvests by planting small amounts every 2-3 weeks:
| Crop | Succession Interval | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Lettuce | 2 weeks | Spring & Fall |
| Radishes | 2 weeks | Spring & Fall |
| Beans | 3 weeks | Summer |
| Carrots | 3 weeks | Spring & Fall |
| Beets | 3 weeks | Spring & Fall |
| Cilantro | 2 weeks | Spring & Fall |
Crop Rotation Planning
Rotate crops by family to prevent disease and nutrient depletion:
Four-Year Rotation Plan
| Year | Bed 1 | Bed 2 | Bed 3 | Bed 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brassicas | Legumes | Solanaceae | Root Crops |
| 2 | Legumes | Solanaceae | Root Crops | Brassicas |
| 3 | Solanaceae | Root Crops | Brassicas | Legumes |
| 4 | Root Crops | Brassicas | Legumes | Solanaceae |
Plant Families:
- Brassicas: Broccoli, cabbage, kale, cauliflower
- Legumes: Beans, peas
- Solanaceae: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant
- Root Crops: Carrots, beets, radishes, turnips
Companion Planting Calendar
Plant these combinations together for mutual benefits:
Spring Companions
- Peas + Radishes (radishes break soil for peas)
- Lettuce + Onions (onions deter pests)
- Spinach + Strawberries (efficient space use)
Summer Companions
- Tomatoes + Basil (improved flavor, pest control)
- Corn + Beans + Squash (Three Sisters method)
- Cucumbers + Nasturtiums (pest deterrent)
Fall Companions
- Kale + Beets (different root depths)
- Lettuce + Carrots (shade tolerance)
- Spinach + Garlic (pest control)
Regional Considerations
Northern Gardens (Zones 3-5)
- Focus on short-season varieties
- Use season extenders (row covers, cold frames)
- Start seeds indoors for warm-season crops
- Maximize summer growing window
Southern Gardens (Zones 8-10)
- Plant cool-season crops in fall and winter
- Provide shade for summer lettuce
- Choose heat-tolerant varieties
- Take advantage of year-round growing
Coastal Gardens
- Benefit from moderate temperatures
- Watch for salt spray damage
- Extend seasons with mild winters
- May need wind protection
Season Extension Techniques
Spring
- Use black plastic mulch to warm soil
- Install row covers for frost protection
- Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks early
- Use cloches for individual plant protection
Fall
- Install cold frames in September
- Use row covers to protect from frost
- Mulch heavily around plants
- Harvest cold-hardy crops through winter
Monthly Planting Checklist
March: Peas, lettuce, spinach, onion sets
April: Broccoli, cabbage, potatoes, carrots
May: Tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash
June: Succession beans, cucumbers, melons
July: Fall brassicas (start indoors)
August: Lettuce, spinach, kale, carrots
September: Garlic, cover crops, winter greens
October: Garlic, spring bulbs
November: Mulch perennials, clean up
December-February: Plan, order seeds, start indoor seeds
By following this seasonal planting guide and adapting it to your specific climate, you'll enjoy fresh harvests throughout the year. Remember, gardening is both science and art—keep records, experiment, and learn from each season.
