How to know when to plant a vegatable garden

Is there a perfect time to plant a vegetable garden?

So, you decided to plant a vegetable garden, but don’t know when to start planting?

Don’t worry… I’ve got you covered!

I have helped my mom plant a garden since I was knee high to a grasshopper, and I have planted my own garden for the past 2 years…

Although…

At times…

I harvested nothing more than a few lettuce leaves for my guinea pigs, but nevertheless, I planted a vegetable garden.

This article has come about through both my experience and other people’s expertise.

So, I feel confident it will help you determine when to plant a vegetable garden.

So let’s take a look at…

When to plant a vegetable garden

Planting time will largely depend on your location and what types of vegetables you want to plant.

I have planted vegetables at various times during the year and found that there are some pros and cons to planting early in the year

and some pros and cons to planting later in the year,

with both early and late planting yielding produce.

In short, there is no one-size-fits-all plan for planting a vegetable garden, but this article can help guide you through the process.

By the end of this article, you will have a good idea of when to start seeds indoors and when to transplant your starts outside.

so that you are set up for a successful year of gardening!

Identify your growing zone

Knowing your growing zone will give you important information such as the last frost date, the first frost date, and the average low and average high in your area.

This will help you identify what type of vegetables you can grow in your area and when to plant a vegetable garden.

Here is an article that can help you find your growing zone number if you don’t know what yours is.

On most seed packets, there is some information on when to plant those specific seeds and if they need to be started indoors.

Planting a garden early in the year

You want to plant your vegetables early enough so that they have a head start on the weeds, making gardening easier for you

But not too early so that they don’t die from frost.

This will also vary on the type of vegetable you are planting, as some vegetables are more cold-hardy, such as cole crops

Cole crops are Cruciferae vegetables that belong to the Brassicaceae family, which includes broccoli and cauliflower

These vegetables thrive in cool climates and are frost resistant, they do best in regions with mild summers and moderately cool springs and autumns.

So do some research on the type of vegetable that you plan to grow to ensure that it can be grown in your region.

Planting a garden late in the year

Planting later in the year can mean there is more competition with weeds, but depending on your region and the type of vegetable you are planting, you may need to plant later in the season

For instance, if your region tends to have hot summers and you are planting cole crops, you may want to plant them earlier in the year before the hottest month or later in the year after the hottest month.

With proper planning, you can even get two crops in one growing season.

When to start seeds indoors

I live in Ohio, We have relatively mild summers and cool springs, and autumns.

And I start my seeds as early as March, since our last frost date is in late April

Not all vegetables need to be started indoors, some can be planted directly in your garden

But, a rough estimate on when to start most vegetables indoors is 6-8 weeks before you want to transplant them into your garden.

Click here to learn how to start seeds indoors

When to transplant your starts outdoors

Transplant your starts into your garden after the last frost date in your area

And 6-8 weeks after starting them indoors.

It is best to move the stars outside for a few hours each day for about a week, gradually increasing the duration.

So that the plants can adjust to the outdoors before planting in your garden

Conclusion:

• Find your last frost date

• Start seeds 6-8 weeks before the last frost date

• Transplant seeds outdoors after the last frost date

• Some vegetable seeds can be sown directly into your garden

You should now have a good idea of when to plant a vegetable garden.

Happy gardening!

~ Gloria