Tag: gardeningcalendar

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2021 Garden Plan

Like so many others, I began gardening last spring during the pandemic. (See my previous posts for garden building tips and my 2020 garden plan.) Although, I got my garden started late I still had a decent harvest. Not that the yield mattered because—I GOT THE GARDENING BUG! I started out just wanting to get out of the house and try something different but somewhere along the way it became my religion. With the sun on my skin, and the dirt in my hands I found a calmness and peace that I so badly needed during this insane pandemic.

I also learned a few things about gardening! For example, all plants are not alike and do not go into the ground at the same time. Also, there is this pesky moth in my area that will ruin your cabbage, brussels sprouts and cauliflower. This spring the gardening journey continues! Here’s what I will be planting in March, April, and May:

March Plants (Or Whenever the Ground Thaws Plants)April PlantsMay Plants
BeetsLettucesBeans
CarrotsPeascucumbers
KaleCorn
RadishPumpkins
SpinachSummer Squashes
Winter Squashes
Watermelon
Peppers
Tomatoes
Broccoli
brussels sprouts
Eggplant

I plan to put my plants in six raised beds. I’ve placed companion plants next to each other in the same bed. Yes you heard me, I just threw out a gardening term–“companion plants”. (Look at me using the gardening terms!) According to my extensive gardening research, plants grow better when they are near certain other plants, termed “companion plants”. Companion planting is a strategy used by gardeners (like me-HA) to maximize plant growth. For example, I placed the beets next to the kale and the carrots and peas with the peppers. I am SUPER excited to share with you (trumpets playing) my 2021 garden plan below!! TA DA!

Now the fun begins! This year I will beat the moths, create a new pea trellis and conquer composting. What will you do? Happy gardening!!

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Planning a Vegetable Garden Party

Last year I planted my first garden and like Ricky Nelson sings in the Garden Party song, “But it’s all right now, I learned my lesson well,” I learned a wheel barrel full! Probably the most import lesson is, have a plan! The plan should include: plant selection, garden layout, and a garden calendar.

The key to a good garden layout is to decide which plants you would like to grow and group them according to similar planting schedules. For example, my chosen plants are:

  • Beans
  • Beets
  • Broccoli
  • Brussels
  • Cabbage
  • Carrots
  • Cucumber
  • Eggplant
  • Kale
  • Lettuce
  • Onions
  • Peas
  • Peppers
  • Radish
  • Spinach
  • Squash
  • Tomato

The planting schedule is located on the back of the seed packet or may be found at your favorite gardening resource. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic I was unable to start seeds in March or April but many of those cool weather plants can be planted a second time in August for a fall harvest. Considering the planting schedules, the plants may be grouped into three groups: May Plantings, June Plantings, and August Plantings.

May Plantings

June Plantings

August Plantings

  • Beets
  • Butternut Squash (seed)
  • Carrots
  • Cucumber (seed)
  • Eggplant
  • Muskmelon (seed)
  • Onion
  • Peppers
  • Radish
  • Tomato
  • Zucchini (seed)
  • Beans (seed)
  • Beets (seed)
  • Broccoli (seed)
  • Brussels (seed)
  • Cabbage (seed)
  • Kale (seed)
  • Lettuce (seed)
  • Peas (seed)
  • Spinach (seed)

These groupings are based on when the plants can be transplanted outdoors in Zone 6. With the exception of the squash and melon, the May plants will be purchased as plants to transplant directly into the garden. In June the bean seeds will be sown directly into the garden every two weeks until the end of June. The August plants will start as seeds indoors in July before they are added to the garden. My gardening calendar looks like this:

May

  • Plant cucumber, squash, and melon seeds after frost date (May 14).
  • Plant transplants of peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, beets, carrots, onion, and radish.

June

  • Thin May seedlings to proper spacing.
  • Plant bean seeds every two weeks until the end of the month.
  • Harvest beets, carrots, and radish as they mature.
  • Stake tomatoes.

July

  • Thin seedlings as necessary .
  • Harvest eggplant, cucumber, zucchini as they ripen.
  • Cover carrot shoulders and onion bulb tops with soil.
  • Plant kale, broccoli, brussel sprouts, spinach, lettuce, and cabbage seeds indoors.

August

  • Transplant kale, broccoli, brussel sprouts, spinach, lettuce, and cabbage to garden.
  • Plant beet and pea seeds in garden.
  • Harvest onions, beans, spinach, squash, and melon as they mature.

September

  • Harvest peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, brussel sprouts, kale, and lettuce as they mature.

October

  • Harvest beets, cabbage, and peas when ready.

The back of the the seed packet also gives the spacing and yield of the plants. Use this information to draw out a sketch of each raised bed. My beds are 4′ x 10′. Once I was satisfied with my sketch I finalized my drawing using Google Drawings.

Raised bed layouts. Upper Left – May transplants, June bean seeds, Cabbage transplants. Upper right – May tomato transplants. Lower Left – May seeds. Lower Right – August transplants.

Now I’m ready to start the party! I hope you are getting out there with your garden plan which may be different from mine. Again, like the song says, “You see, ya can’t please everyone, so you got to please yourself”. Fingers crossed for a fruitful harvest!