When to Plant a Vegetable Garden

Do you want to plant a garden this year? One of the first things you need to figure out is when to plant a garden. This will vary greatly depending on the part of the US you are in.

When to plant a Vegetable garden

Who is planning on cultivating a Vegetable Garden this year? We have done a garden before, but I really want to take it more seriously this year, so I thought I would share some of my ideas and plans with you.

Let’s go over a few basics so you can figure out when to plant your garden. It’s not difficult at all, you just need to know when and where to start! Once you know the best planting dates, it’s really very simple.

You want your plants to thrive and this can be done by knowing what month to plant vegetables in. A plan needs to be in place weeks before you actually start planting.

Growing vegetables and planting seeds outdoors takes a thought-out plan. Vegetable gardening has a specific time to start based on your area and weather.

Knowing this information before you do anything else will greatly increase your gardening success! You will be harvesting baskets of vegetables in absolutely no time!

What month should you start a garden?

Generally, late March to May is the best time to plant seed packets outdoors. This can vary based on where you live and how warm it is.

The weather needs to be 60 degrees and above for the seeds to properly grow.

You can also learn 5 Ways to Save Money in the Garden.

Are coffee grounds good for the garden?

Coffee grounds can be a good fertilizer for your garden. They are rich in nutrients and a good source of nitrogen.

When is the best time to plant a Garden

1. What vegetables to plant and when?

Did you know vegetables are classified as either warm or cool season vegetables? When you are in the planning stages of your garden it is important to know whether the vegetables you want to plant are warm or cool season.

If you live in an area that has a long growing season, your garden will probably do better with warm vegetables. If you live in an area that has very seasonal temperatures, you will probably be successful with cool and warm season vegetables (as long as you plant them at the correct times).

Here are some examples of popular warm and cool season vegetables:

Warm Vegetables – tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, okra and sweet potatoes

Cool Vegetables – broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce and onions

2. What is my growing zone?

Know Your Zone so you will know when to plan a vegetable garden. You have probably heard that the US is divided into climate zones.

It is vital that you know which zone you live in, so you know what vegetables will grow best when. You can find what zone you live in by inputting your zip code.

Once you know your zone, make sure you check your last and first frost. Just put in your zip code and the calculator will give you a projected last frost and first frost date.

This will help you plan the best times to plant your garden. While early Spring may be the best time for some to plant vegetables, it very well may not for other areas.

It is important to double check your area. I always use one of these garden planners and it’s a big help in knowing when to plan. For example, if you are in a hardiness zone, you will have specific plants versus other areas.

3. Know What to Plant When

Once you understand the basics of what we’ve discussed, you are ready to consider what vegetables you want to plant. Choose vegetables you and your family will enjoy.

After you’ve narrowed down what you’d like to plant, you will need to know when is best to plant them. The dates on the planting calendar will be specific to your area. It’s very important to be aware of your frost date because young plants are so fragile.

There are a TON of vegetables on this list, so it’s important to not get overwhelmed and just stick with the original vegetables you had planned on trying.

I think it will be best to try a few simple plants and you can always add more next year. This will give you a chance to learn what works in your area and how to grow the basics.

Best Vegetables to grow for Beginners:

The 7 easiest veggies to grow for beginners are:

Lettuce
Tomatoes
Cucumbers
Carrots
Radishes
Green Beans
Zucchini

Now you know when to plant a garden.

You are going to be successful with your garden! The key is to start small, and plant things your family (and friends and neighbors) will enjoy.

If you start small, you are more likely to be successful and more likely to continue with it in the future. Don’t get overwhelmed and try to plant too many things at once.

You might find that you love growing tomatoes and summer squash but can’t grow brussels sprouts.

We would love for you to come back and share your garden stories with us. When do you start your garden and what vegetables will you grow?