The act of sowing seed and growing food is a defining characteristic for us humans. Farming is one of the reasons cities and societies developed. Yet, it has become a lost art for most of us. It would be impossible for most of us to harvest a crop we planted ourselves. Yet, many people that live in suburban areas are finding a new desire for super local food grown right in their yards. How does one go from not knowing the first thing about farming to becoming a suburbanite with a green thumb?
The tricky part about growing your own food is that it is really, really easy on the one hand, and really, really, hard on the other. For example, it's really easy to dig in the dirt and plant a bunch of seeds. However, If you don’t know when to sow seed for the maximum positive result, you may find all your effort useless. Timing is essential for great outcomes. So this post is all about scheduling your crops for a successful and plentiful endeavor.
First big question you have to answer is, what do you want to grow? Every vegetable has a specific time the seed needs to be planted. In colder climates like northern New Jersey and New York, the growing period is significantly different than warmer places like South Carolina, Texas and parts of California. Sense most of my clients are in the northeast, I’m slanting this post for them. You have two options, you can either start the seed indoors and then transfer it outdoors when the time is right. Or, you can sow the seed outdoors when the seed isn't likely to be killed by cold temperatures.
As I write this post, it’s the end of January. Within days, it will be February. Believe it or not, if you want to grow really amazing heads of broccoli and cabbage, or really fat bushes of parsley this year, you need to start thinking about getting your seeds going. The best way to get a jump on the germination of your veggies is to start the seeds indoors. For broccoli and cabbage, you will want to sow the seed indoors around the middle or end of February. As March rolls around, you will want to get cauliflower, celery and onions along with cucumbers and Swiss chard going indoors as well. All of these vegetables will perform better in your outdoor garden if you start growing the seeds indoors in March.
First big question you have to answer is, what do you want to grow? Every vegetable has a specific time the seed needs to be planted. In colder climates like northern New Jersey and New York, the growing period is significantly different than warmer places like South Carolina, Texas and parts of California. Sense most of my clients are in the northeast, I’m slanting this post for them. You have two options, you can either start the seed indoors and then transfer it outdoors when the time is right. Or, you can sow the seed outdoors when the seed isn't likely to be killed by cold temperatures.
As I write this post, it’s the end of January. Within days, it will be February. Believe it or not, if you want to grow really amazing heads of broccoli and cabbage, or really fat bushes of parsley this year, you need to start thinking about getting your seeds going. The best way to get a jump on the germination of your veggies is to start the seeds indoors. For broccoli and cabbage, you will want to sow the seed indoors around the middle or end of February. As March rolls around, you will want to get cauliflower, celery and onions along with cucumbers and Swiss chard going indoors as well. All of these vegetables will perform better in your outdoor garden if you start growing the seeds indoors in March.
Image of Indoor seedlings transferred to raised bed outdoors.
You will want to have a plan for your vegetable garden before you start seeds inside or out. The plan will need to, at a minimum, show where each veggie will go and what it what plants will be beside it. Many vegetables actually grow (and taste) better when grouped with other veggies.
On a practical level, the plan will help you know which seeds to purchase and when you need them in hand. Different veggies will need to be seeded and transferred at different times, so the plan will make the transferring super easy. Likewise, you will be able to start some plants outdoors while others will still need to be indoors. For example, March is a great time to seed cauliflower indoors while you plant turnips outdoors around the same time.
By the time you get to April, you should have a chorus of indoor and outdoor seedlings going. By April 15 when you fill your taxes, you would want eggplant, lettuce, peppers, basil, tomatoes and collards all germinating inside. All the while, that broccoli you started back in February should be ready to find its new home in your garden. In fact, if you live in a colder region sowing broccoli outdoors couldn’t even happen until April. By preparing the seed indoors, you get a two-month jump on Mother Nature. Your broccoli will mature faster outdoors and you can harvest it sooner. That’s a win/win!
On a practical level, the plan will help you know which seeds to purchase and when you need them in hand. Different veggies will need to be seeded and transferred at different times, so the plan will make the transferring super easy. Likewise, you will be able to start some plants outdoors while others will still need to be indoors. For example, March is a great time to seed cauliflower indoors while you plant turnips outdoors around the same time.
By the time you get to April, you should have a chorus of indoor and outdoor seedlings going. By April 15 when you fill your taxes, you would want eggplant, lettuce, peppers, basil, tomatoes and collards all germinating inside. All the while, that broccoli you started back in February should be ready to find its new home in your garden. In fact, if you live in a colder region sowing broccoli outdoors couldn’t even happen until April. By preparing the seed indoors, you get a two-month jump on Mother Nature. Your broccoli will mature faster outdoors and you can harvest it sooner. That’s a win/win!
The image above is a diagram I used for an earlier post. I added (in yellow) when to start your seeds for each plant indoors. Obviously, the vegetables listed are a small fraction of what's available, but it's a good start.
This pattern of sowing indoors and transferring outdoors continues clear through June. By then, some of the plants you transferred will be ready for harvesting. With the right schedule and plan, you will have happy and healthy veggies all summer (and in the fall) long! It's a natural karma of sorts where you reap what you’ve sown.
This pattern of sowing indoors and transferring outdoors continues clear through June. By then, some of the plants you transferred will be ready for harvesting. With the right schedule and plan, you will have happy and healthy veggies all summer (and in the fall) long! It's a natural karma of sorts where you reap what you’ve sown.
If you want to become a suburban farmer and turn part of your yard into a vegetable oasis, please let us know. I can help you organize the entire process and even do weekly or bi-weekly visits to keep everything running smoothly.
Want to Know More about Veggie Gardening:
Time to Plan Your Vegetable Garden
Grow Veggies til November
Ten Shades of Kale
Time to Plan Your Vegetable Garden
Grow Veggies til November
Ten Shades of Kale
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Liatris spicata 'Kobold'
Easy-to-grow and incredibly resilient, Liatris spicata will add color and texture. It is a native to eastern United States. It needs minimal care except moist soil. No serious insect or disease problems. When in bloom, butterflies, hummingbirds and pollinators (like bees) will feast on it.
Aliases: Blazing Star, Gayfeather
Height: 24 inches
Spread: 12 inches
Bloom Color: Deep, Rich Lavender/Magenta
Bloom Time: Early to Mid-Summer
Exposure: Full Sun
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3
Order now for delivery in spring 2017.
Aliases: Blazing Star, Gayfeather
Height: 24 inches
Spread: 12 inches
Bloom Color: Deep, Rich Lavender/Magenta
Bloom Time: Early to Mid-Summer
Exposure: Full Sun
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3
Order now for delivery in spring 2017.
Monarda didyma 'Jacob Cline'
There’s never a dull moment with Monarda didyma ‘Jacob Cline’ from May to October. It’s one of first flowers to appear as summer approaches. It grows tall and can be trimmed back to grow close to the ground. Beautiful flowers, unique shape and color. Native to US and Canada. Deer resistant. Prone to powdery mildew in dry soil and when stressed.
Aliases: Bee Balm, Jacob Cline, JC
Height: 36 inches (can get to 72 inches in ideal conditions)
Spread: 18 inches
Bloom Color: Candy Apple Red
Bloom Time: Early to Late Summer
Exposure: Full Sun
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3
Currently available for order.
Aliases: Bee Balm, Jacob Cline, JC
Height: 36 inches (can get to 72 inches in ideal conditions)
Spread: 18 inches
Bloom Color: Candy Apple Red
Bloom Time: Early to Late Summer
Exposure: Full Sun
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3
Currently available for order.
Calamagrostis brachytricha
If not the most dynamic grasses available on the market, Calamagrostis brachytricha is in the top three. It begins to grow with gorgeous shamrock-emerald green blades of grass in a fountain form. In mid to late summer, the seed heads pop out and can stay until late winter if not cut. It is great option for winter interest as well as adding texture and character to warm weather landscapes. Not native to US but is not invasive. Deer resistant and easy to manage.
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Height: 36 to 48 inches
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Bloom Time: Late Summer to Late Autumn
Exposure: Full Sun to Full Shade
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9
Currently Available.
Aliases: Reed Grass, Feather Grass, Feather Reed Grass, Foxtail Grass and Korean Feather Grass.
Height: 36 to 48 inches
Spread: 24 to 36 inches
Bloom Color: Pink tinged seed heads
Bloom Time: Late Summer to Late Autumn
Exposure: Full Sun to Full Shade
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9
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Super Awesome Lawn Seed
Custom Blend Lawn Seed for superior performance + sustianability.
Super Awesome Lawn Seed is for cool weather climates from New Jersey to Maine and farther north. It grows thick and beautiful in shade and sunny areas. It is drought and wet tolerant. The customized blend aims to be a one-stop solution for sites that are dynamic and want less maintenance over time. Sold by the pound and available in all quantities.
Recommended seeding rate: 5 lbs./1,000 sq. ft. or 220 lbs./acre
Quantity discounts available, please select your "Qty Pricing Group" below followed by the Qty (# of lbs):
1-15 lbs.: $9.00/lb.
16-40 lbs.: $8.50/lb.
41-99 lbs.: $8.00/lb.
100+ lbs.: $7.50/lb.
Super Awesome Lawn Seed is for cool weather climates from New Jersey to Maine and farther north. It grows thick and beautiful in shade and sunny areas. It is drought and wet tolerant. The customized blend aims to be a one-stop solution for sites that are dynamic and want less maintenance over time. Sold by the pound and available in all quantities.
Recommended seeding rate: 5 lbs./1,000 sq. ft. or 220 lbs./acre
Quantity discounts available, please select your "Qty Pricing Group" below followed by the Qty (# of lbs):
1-15 lbs.: $9.00/lb.
16-40 lbs.: $8.50/lb.
41-99 lbs.: $8.00/lb.
100+ lbs.: $7.50/lb.
Super Awesome Organic Mushroom Compost
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Eliminate toxic chemicals and fertilizers by going organic with our Super Awesome Organic Mushroom Compost. The compost provides nutrients for healthy plant and root development. Ideal for improving lawn growth as well as planted beds and other areas. All of our compost is delivered in durable, reusable bags. Each bag contains 25lbs of our Super Awesome Organic Mushroom Compost.
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