Seasonal Gardening: What to Plant Throughout the Year

Understanding seasonal gardening rhythms allows you to maintain a productive garden year-round. This guide breaks down planting and maintenance tasks by season for optimal results.

Spring Gardening

Spring marks the beginning of the main growing season. Start cool-season crops like lettuce, peas, spinach, and radishes as soon as soil can be worked. These vegetables tolerate light frosts and prefer cooler temperatures. Prepare beds for warm-season crops by adding compost and amendments. Start tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Plant perennial flowers and divide overcrowded specimens. Prune spring-flowering shrubs after blooms fade.

Summer Gardening

Summer is peak growing season for most vegetables and flowers. Plant warm-season crops like tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, and beans after all frost danger has passed. Succession plant quick-maturing crops like lettuce and radishes every two weeks for continuous harvests. Maintain consistent watering during hot weather. Mulch heavily to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Deadhead flowers regularly to encourage continued blooming. Monitor for pests and diseases, which are more active in warm weather.

Fall Gardening

Fall offers a second growing season for cool-season crops. Plant lettuce, kale, broccoli, and other greens 8-10 weeks before the first expected frost. These crops often taste sweeter after light frost exposure. Plant spring-flowering bulbs like tulips and daffodils. Divide and transplant perennials. Harvest warm-season crops before frost. Clean up spent plants to reduce overwintering pest and disease problems. Apply mulch to protect plant roots through winter.

Winter Gardening

Winter gardening varies greatly by climate. In mild regions, continue growing cool-season vegetables under row covers or in cold frames. Hardy greens like kale and collards withstand significant cold. Plan next year's garden, ordering seeds and supplies. Maintain tools and equipment. Force bulbs indoors for winter blooms. Start seeds for early spring transplants in late winter. Protect tender plants from frost and wind damage.

Extending the Season

Use season extension techniques to maximize productivity. Cold frames and row covers protect plants from frost, allowing earlier spring planting and later fall harvests. Hoop houses and greenhouses provide even more control over growing conditions. Choose cold-hardy varieties for fall and winter growing. Mulch heavily to moderate soil temperature fluctuations. Plant in succession to ensure continuous harvests rather than overwhelming gluts.

Regional Considerations

Adapt these guidelines to your specific climate zone. Consult your local extension office for precise planting dates and variety recommendations. Keep a garden journal noting what works well in your location. Microclimate variations within your property affect planting times and success. Observe your garden carefully and adjust practices based on actual conditions rather than calendar dates alone.