If you have ever planted a garden before, you’ve probably noticed that some of your plants did better than others over the course of the growing season. There are tons of factors that can impact your ability to build a successful harvest – and it starts at the very beginning, when you decide to sow those first seeds.
Every species that you might want to grow in your garden has an optimal planting time based on its characteristics, the climate, and other factors. Today, we’re going to take a look at optimal planting times for some common garden species.*
Image Credit: Old Farmers’ Almanac (www.almanac.com)
When & How To Plant Your Garden
Snap Peas
Spring Planting Dates: May 5 – June 30
Summer Planting Dates: July 1 – August 5
Depth to Plant: 1-1.5”
Distance Between Plants: 1-2”
Tip: Snap pea vines are fragile, especially when young. Cultivate and hoe shallowly to avoid injuring plants.
Brussels Sprouts
Spring Planting Dates: April 1 – May 1
Summer Planting Dates: July 1 – August 1
Depth to Plant: .5”
Distance Between Plants: 18-24”
Beets
Spring Planting Dates: April 1 – June 15
Summer Planting Dates: June 20 – August 1
Depth to Plant: .5”
Distance Between Plants: 2-3”
Cauliflower
Spring Planting Dates: April 1 – May 1
Summer Planting Dates: July 1 – August 1
Depth to Plant: .5”
Distance Between Plants: 18-24”
Tip: Cauliflower thrives under consistently cooler temperatures, making it very challenging to grow in the mid-Atlantic where whether can be unpredictable. Timing is critical for this plant.
Lettuce
Spring Planting Dates: April 1 – May 1
Summer Planting Dates: August 1 – August 15
Depth to Plant: .25”
Distance Between Plants: 12-18”
Carrots
Spring Planting Dates: April 10 – June 1
Summer Planting Dates: June 15 – August 1
Depth to Plant: .25”
Distance Between Plants: 2-3”
Summer Squash
Spring Planting Dates: May 1 – May 30
Summer Planting Dates: June 1 – June 15
Depth to Plant: 1-2”
Distance Between Plants: 18-24”
Image Credit: Modern Farmer (www.modernfarmer.com)
Tomatoes
Spring Planting Dates: May 1 – June 15
Summer Planting Dates: June 15 – July 5
Depth to Plant: N/A (these dates are for transplants)
Distance Between Plants: 18-30”
Tip: When planting tomato seedlings, bury the stems to the first true leaves. New roots grow quickly on the stems, and a better root system yields a better harvest.
Cucumbers
Spring Planting Dates: May 10 – June 1
Summer Planting Dates: June 15 – July 10
Depth to Plant: 1”
Distance Between Plants: 18”
* Planting information sourced from the University of Maryland Extension Home & Garden Information Center. For more details and a complete garden planting guide, visit https://extension.umd.edu/growit/vegetable.