When Is It Best To Plant Vegetable Garden
Seeds
The best time to plant vegetable garden seeds is when the soil temperature is between 50 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal time to plant most seeds is when the soil temperature is 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Soil temperature is important for two reasons. First, seeds need warm soil to germinate. Second, some plants grow best when the soil temperature is cool. For example, snap beans grow best when the soil temperature is between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
The following is a list of vegetables and the ideal time to plant their seeds based on the soil temperature.
50-55 degrees: beets, carrots, chard, collards, kale, lettuce, mustard greens, onions, radishes, spinach, turnips
55-60 degrees: beans, cucumbers, eggplant, peppers, squash, tomatoes
60-65 degrees: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, leeks, parsley
65-70 degrees: corn
70-75 degrees: melons
75-85 degrees: pumpkins, sweet potatoes
Top Vegetables To Plant In Your Garden
There are many different types of vegetables that you can plant in your garden, but not all of them are ideal for every climate. The following are some of the best vegetables to plant in your garden, based on your location.
In the Midwest:
If you live in the Midwest, you should plant tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, cucumbers, lettuce, spinach, and carrots. Tomatoes, peppers, and zucchini are all excellent choices for the Midwest, as they are all able to withstand the colder temperatures. Cucumbers and lettuce are also good choices, as they both grow well in cooler climates. Spinach and carrots are also good choices, as they both thrive in cooler weather.
In the South:
If you live in the South, you should plant tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, okra, corn, beans, and squash. Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant are all excellent choices for the South, as they are all able to withstand the warmer temperatures. Okra, corn, beans, and squash are also good choices, as they all grow well in warmer climates.
In the West:
If you live in the West, you should plant tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, broccoli, and cauliflower. Tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers are all excellent choices for the West, as they are all able to withstand the hotter temperatures. Lettuce, broccoli, and cauliflower are also good choices, as they all grow well in cooler climates.
What Flowers To Plant In Vegetable Garden
When planting a vegetable garden, you’ll want to be sure to include some flowers to help attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. These flowers will also help to improve the overall health of your garden by attracting beneficial insects like ladybugs and parasitic wasps. Some flowers that are perfect for planting in a vegetable garden include:
Aster
Bee balm
Black-eyed Susan
Butterfly weed
Calendula
Coneflower
Coreopsis
Cosmos
Dahlia
Echinacea
Feverfew
Gaillardia
Goldenrod
Lantana
Lobelia
Marigold
Morning glory
Nasturtium
Passion flower
Petunia
Phlox
Poppy
Salvia
Snapdragon
Sunflower
Thistle
Verbena
Zinnia
New England Vegetable Garden Planting Schedule
The following planting schedule is based on the average first frost date in New England of October 15th.
Asparagus: March-April
Beans: June
Broccoli: September-October
Cabbage: September-October
Carrots: April
Cauliflower: September-October
Corn: July
Cucumbers: June
Eggplant: August
Garlic: August-September
Kale: September-October
Lettuce: April-May
Onions: April-May
Parsnips: October-November
Peas: June
Peppers: August
Potatoes: May
Radishes: April-May
Spinach: May-June
Squash: August
Tomatoes: August
Vegetable Garden What Not To Plant Together
When it comes to planting your vegetable garden, there are some veggies that just don’t mix well together. Here are some of the most common vegetables that you should avoid planting next to each other:
Tomatoes and potatoes: Tomatoes and potatoes are in the same family, and they both need a lot of nitrogen. When you plant them together, the potatoes will steal all of the nitrogen from the tomatoes, and the tomatoes will produce very little fruit.
Beets and onions: Beets and onions are both root vegetables, and they both compete for the same nutrients. When you plant them together, the beets will steal all of the nutrients from the onions, and the onions will produce very little growth.
Cabbage and broccoli: Cabbage and broccoli are both Brassica vegetables, and they both produce a lot of sulfur. When you plant them together, the cabbage will produce a lot of gas that will stunt the broccoli’s growth.
If you want to plant a vegetable garden, but you’re not sure which vegetables to avoid planting together, consult a gardening guide or talk to a local gardener. They will be able to give you specific advice about which vegetables to avoid planting together in your area.
If you’re looking to get into vegetable gardening, or are just looking for some tips on how to make your current garden better, then you’ve come to the right place! My name is Ethel and I have been gardening for years. In this blog, I’m going to share with you some of my best tips on how to create a successful vegetable garden.
