When to Plant Vegetables

Vegetable gardening is one of the most productive and cost-effective ways to grow plants that yield healthy, fresh and nutritious vegetables. There are several vegetables that can be grown throughout the year, that too with just a little bit of care and attention. Hence, planting vegetables is not as difficult or complicated as it seems to be. However, besides many other factors like the soil, sunlight, water supply, etc. one important element that most people get stuck with is the time of year to plant vegetables. Hence, the article provides detailed information on when to plant vegetables, and also covers other parameters like soil texture and depth, pH level, etc.

Information on Vegetable Gardening

Soil Texture: A well-drained, fertile soil is essential to have a fruitful garden. Though it is difficult to have a perfect soil type, the basic soil requirements which should not be ignored include a well-drained soil, supplied with organic matter, and should be moisture-retentive and free from stones.

Soil Acidity: The acidity or alkalinity of the soil is measured by pH, which should be adjusted as per the crop being cultivated on that area. Normally soils in moist or wet climates are acidic in nature while the soils in dry climates are alkaline. Hence, a soil with a pH lower than 7.0 is acidic in nature, whereas soils having a pH higher than 7.0 is alkaline. Since different types of vegetables require varying degrees of soil acidity, it is important to determine the pH level of soil so that you can amend it, if needed.

Planting Seeds: Planting seeds at correct depth and proper spacing are equally important so that you don't crowd many plants in the allotted space and end up with unhealthy, spindly plants due to deficiency of food. Larger plant seeds should be planted separately in a row. Cover the soil over the seeds and water properly using a gentle spray to retain moisture in the soil.

When to Plant Vegetables?

Name of the Plant	Coastal Plant Date	Interior Plant Date	Season	Amount to Plant	Distance between Rows	Distance Apart in the Row
Artichoke	May - July	July	Cool	3 - 4 plants	48 - 60"	48 - 60"
Asparagus	January - February	January - February	Cool	30 - 40 plants	60"	12''
Beans, Lima	May - June	May - June	Warm	15' - 30' row	12 - 24"	4 - 6" bush 12 - 24" pole
Beans, Snap	March - August	April - May July - August	Warm	15' - 25' row	12 - 24"	2 - 6" bush 12 - 24" pole
Beets	January - September	February - April August	Cool	10' - 15' row	12"	1 - 2"
Broccoli	June - July, January - February	December - February, July	Cool	6' - 10' row	12 - 24"	12 - 24"
Cabbage	August - February	July, February	Cool	10 - 15 plants	24"	24"
Cantelopes, other melons	April - May	April - June	Warm	5 - 10 hills	48"	48"
Carrots	January - September	August - September February - April	Cool	20' - 30' of row	12"	2"
Cauliflower	July - October January - February	July - August	Cool	10 - 15 plants	24"	24"
Celery	April - August	June - August	Cool	20' - 30' row	24"	5"
Corn, sweet	March - July	February - March	Warm	4 rows 20 - 30' long	36"	15"
Cucumbers	April - June	April - July	Warm	6 plants	48"	24"
Dill	May	May	Warm	25' of row	24"	6 - 9"
Eggplant	April - May	April - May	Warm	4 - 6 plants	24"	24"
Endive	December - August	January - April August	Cool	10' - 15' of row	12"	10"
Garlic	October - December	October - December	Cool	10' - 20' row	18"	3"
Kale	August - October	August - September	Cool	20' - 30' of row	24''	24''
Kohlrabi	January August - September	August	Cool	10' - 15' of row	24"	3"
Leeks	January - April	January - April	Cool	10' - 15' of row	12"	12"
Mustard	August - February	August, April	Cool	10' row	8"	8"
Okra	April - May	May	Warm	10' - 20' of row	24"	18"
Onions	February - March	November - March	Cool	30' - 40' of row	12"	3"
Parsely	March - July	December - May	Cool	1 - 2 plants	12"	8"
Parsnips	March - July	December - May	Cool	10' - 15' of row	24"	3"
Peas	August December - March	September - January January - February	Cool	30' - 40' of row	36" bush 48" vine	2"
Peppers	April - May	May	Warm	5 - 10 plants	24"	12 - 18"
Potatoes	April - May	April - June	Warm	50' - 100' of row	48"	12"
Pumpkins	May - June	May - June	Warm	1 - 3 plants	72"	48"
Radish	All Year	September - April	Cool	4' of row	12"	1"
Rhubarb	December - January	December - January	Cool	10' - 15' of row	24"	3"
Rutabaga	July - September August - March	July - September August - March	Cool	10' - 15' of row	24"	3"
Spinach	August - March	September - January	Cool	10' - 20' of row	12"	3"
Squash	April - June	April - June	Warm	2 - 4 plants	48"	24"
Tomatoes	April - July 15	April - May	Warm	10 - 15 plants	36 - 48" closer if supported	24 - 36"
Turnips	January	February, August	Cool	10' - 15' of row	24"	2"
Watermelon	April - June	April - June	Warm	6 plants	72"	60"

While planning your garden be very sure about what and how much you want to plant. It is always better to have a well-maintained, small and fertile garden than a large garden that is neglected and full of weeds. Weeds can rip off water, light, nutrients and root space from the vegetables. So, in order to control them it is better to mulch between the rows. Water your plants regularly and throughout their growing season be alert against insects and pests. Now that you know about vegetable gardening, next time you wish to plant vegetables in your garden, remember to refer to these tips on when is the best time to plant vegetables.