Seasonal Gardening Tips: What to Plant and When

Gardening is a rewarding endeavor, but knowing what to plant and when is crucial for a successful harvest. Each season brings unique opportunities for growing different types of plants. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, these seasonal gardening tips will help you make the most of your garden year-round.

Spring: A Time for New Beginnings

Spring is the season of renewal, making it the perfect time to start planting. As the soil warms up, many plants begin to thrive.

Vegetables: Early spring is ideal for cool-season vegetables like lettuce, spinach, radishes, and peas. These crops can withstand cooler temperatures and are ready to harvest before the summer heat arrives. As the weather warms, you can start planting warm-season vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers.
Herbs: Hardy herbs such as parsley, cilantro, and chives can be planted in early spring. As the season progresses, plant basil, dill, and rosemary, which prefer warmer weather.
Flowers: Spring is the perfect time to plant annuals like pansies, petunias, and marigolds, as well as perennials like daylilies and peonies.

Summer: Time to Harvest and Maintain

Summer is all about maintaining your garden and harvesting your efforts. The warmer weather allows a variety of plants to thrive.

Vegetables: Continue planting warm-season vegetables like beans, squash, and corn. Succession planting, such as sowing seeds every few weeks, can ensure a continuous harvest. Keep an eye on watering, as summer heat can dry out the soil quickly.
Herbs: Harvest herbs like basil, oregano, and mint regularly to encourage new growth. You can also start a second round of fast-growing herbs like cilantro and dill.
Flowers: Summer is the peak blooming time for many flowers, including sunflowers, zinnias, and cosmos. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms.

Fall: Preparing for the Cool Down

Fall is a transitional season, perfect for planting cool-season crops and preparing your garden for winter.

Vegetables: As temperatures begin to drop, focus on planting cool-season vegetables like kale, broccoli, and carrots. These crops can tolerate frost and will continue to grow well into the fall. Garlic and onions can also be planted in the fall for a spring harvest.
Herbs: Hardy herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage can be planted in the fall and will continue to grow through the winter in milder climates. Parsley is another herb that thrives in cooler weather.
Flowers: Fall is an excellent time to plant bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, and crocuses for a vibrant spring display. Mums and asters are also great fall bloomers that add color to your garden as the days shorten.

Winter: Rest and Plan

Winter is a time for your garden to rest, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still be active in your gardening endeavors.

Vegetables: In mild climates, hardy vegetables like kale, spinach, and brussels sprouts can continue to grow through the winter. Consider using cold frames or row covers to extend your growing season.
Herbs: Some herbs like parsley and chives can survive the winter with minimal protection. Indoors, you can grow herbs like basil, mint, and thyme on a sunny windowsill.
Planning: Winter is the perfect time to plan next year’s garden. Review what worked well and what didn’t, order seeds, and prepare your tools and supplies for spring.

By understanding what to plant and when, you can ensure a productive and beautiful garden throughout the year. Each season brings its own challenges and rewards, but with careful planning and attention to detail, your garden can thrive no matter the time of year. Happy gardening!