Seasonal Gardening Tips: What to Plant and When

Gardening is one of life’s simple pleasures. Whether you have a backyard space or a tiny balcony, there’s something satisfying about growing your food and watching your plants flourish.

However, knowing what to plant and when can be challenging, especially as the seasons change. At Vegbed, we aim to make gardening easier and more enjoyable. This guide is here to help you navigate the seasonal planting calendar so can enjoy gardening all year round!

Spring Gardening: What to Plant and When

Spring marks the arrival of warmer weather, and it’s a time when many gardeners feel a renewed sense of energy. As the frost melts and the days get longer, it’s the perfect opportunity to start planting.

What to Plant in Spring:

• Vegetables: Spring is ideal for cool-weather crops like peas, lettuce, spinach, radishes, and carrots. These veggies thrive in the chilly air and can be planted early in the season.
• Herbs: Fresh herbs like cilantro, parsley, and chives can be sown now. They love the cooler temperatures and will be ready to snip for your spring dishes.
• Flowers: Brighten your garden with spring blooms like pansies, snapdragons, and primroses. These early bloomers will not only add color but also attract beneficial pollinators.

  

 

Tips for Spring Planting:

• Soil Preparation: Before planting, check your soil. It should be rich and well-drained. Adding organic compost or well-rotted manure can significantly improve soil quality and provide essential nutrients.
• Start Seeds Indoors: For warm-season crops like tomatoes and peppers, start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected frost. This gives them a head start when it’s time to move them outdoors.

 

Summer Gardening: What to Plant and When

As the days get hotter, summer gardening allows for a wide variety of crops. This is the season to enjoy the fruits of your labor!

What to Plant in Summer:

• Vegetables: Warm-season crops thrive in the summer heat. Plant beans, cucumbers, zucchini, corn, tomatoes, and peppers. These plants love the sun and will yield plenty of produce.
• Herbs: Continue to sow herbs like basil, dill, and oregano. They will flourish in the heat and can be used fresh in your summer salads and dishes.
• Flowers: Add colorful blooms to your garden with sunflowers, zinnias, and cosmos. These flowers not only beautify your space but also attract bees and butterflies.

 

Tips for Summer Planting:

• Water Wisely: With summer’s heat, it’s crucial to keep your plants hydrated. Water early in the morning or late in the afternoon to reduce evaporation. Consider using soaker hoses or drip irrigation for efficient watering.
• Mulching: Applying a layer of mulch around your plants helps retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. Organic mulches, like straw or wood chips, also improve soil as they decompose.

Autumn Gardening: What to Plant and When

As summer fades and the air turns crisp, autumn brings a chance to prepare your garden for winter while still harvesting some late-season goodies.

What to Plant in Autumn:

• Vegetables: Now is the time to plant garlic and shallots, which will be ready for harvest in spring. You can also plant cover crops like clover or rye to enrich the soil during winter.
• Flowers: If you want a burst of color in spring, plant bulbs such as tulips and daffodils now. These hardy flowers will bloom as soon as the weather warms up.

 

Tips for Autumn Planting:

• Clean Up Your Garden: Before winter sets in, clear away dead plants and debris to prevent pests and diseases. Compost any healthy plant material to create nutrient-rich compost for your spring garden.
• Soil Testing: Testing your soil’s pH and nutrient levels can help you understand what your garden needs to thrive next season. Amend your soil as necessary to prepare for winter.

Winter Gardening: What to Plant and When

Don’t let winter stop you from gardening! You can still grow fresh produce indoors, and it’s easier than you think.

What to Plant in Winter:

• Microgreens: These nutrient-packed greens, such as radish, kale, and pea shoots, are incredibly easy to grow indoors. They require minimal space and light, making them perfect for winter gardening. You can enjoy fresh microgreens in just 7 to 21 days!
• Herbs: Consider growing herbs like mint, basil, and thyme indoors. They thrive on a sunny windowsill and will enhance your winter meals.

 

Tips for Indoor Winter Gardening:

• Use Grow Lights: If your indoor space lacks natural light, invest in some grow lights. They can provide the necessary light for your plants to grow strong and healthy. For a more detailed guide about using grow lights indoors, check this article: A Comprehensive Guide to LED Lighting for Microgreens
• Maintain Proper Conditions: Keep your indoor temperature consistent and ensure good air circulation. This will help prevent mold and other issues.

Why Grow Microgreens at Home This Winter?

As winter approaches and gardening slows down, consider the benefits of growing microgreens at home:

1. Quick Harvest: Microgreens grow rapidly, allowing you to enjoy fresh greens within weeks. They’re perfect for winter when fresh produce might be hard to find.
2. Nutrient Dense: Microgreens are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making them a powerhouse addition to your meals. They can be easily added to salads, sandwiches, and smoothies.
3. Space-Saving: You don’t need a large garden to grow microgreens. They can thrive in small trays on your kitchen counter or windowsill, making them accessible even for apartment dwellers.

Here’s our step by step guide on How to Grow Microgreens Indoors. 

Introducing Vegbed: Your Best Growing Medium for Microgreens

When it comes to growing microgreens indoors, choosing the right growing medium is crucial. At Vegbed, we offer 100% bamboo mats that are designed to make your indoor gardening experience easy and sustainable. Here’s why Vegbed is the best choice for your microgreen needs:

• Eco-Friendly: Our bamboo mats are made from sustainable materials, so you can feel good about your gardening choices.
• Excellent Water Retention: Vegbed mats retain moisture efficiently, providing your microgreens with the perfect amount of water while minimizing mess.
• User-Friendly: Our mats are easy to use and eliminate the need for soil. This means less cleanup and a more straightforward growing process.

Comprehensive Seasonal Planting Chart

Season	Vegetables	Herbs	Flowers
Spring	Peas, lettuce, spinach, radishes, carrots, beets, broccoli, kale, turnips, onions, asparagus	Cilantro, parsley, chives, dill, mint, oregano, basil	Pansies, snapdragons, primroses, tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, forget-me-nots
Summer	Beans, cucumbers, zucchini, corn, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash, okra, melons, sweet potatoes	Basil, dill, oregano, thyme, sage, tarragon	Sunflowers, zinnias, cosmos, marigolds, petunias, dahlias, gladiolus
Autumn	Garlic, shallots, leeks, cover crops (clover, rye), Brussels sprouts, winter squash, spinach (for overwintering), radishes	-	Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths (bulbs), asters, chrysanthemums
Winter	Microgreens (radish, kale, pea shoots, arugula), winter greens (like spinach, Swiss chard, and collard greens grown indoors)	Mint, basil (indoors), thyme (indoors)	-

Considerations:

• Spring: Ensure that the listed vegetables are planted early enough to mature before the heat of summer. For flowers, bulbs like daffodils and tulips are often planted in fall for spring blooms.
• Summer: These crops thrive in warm temperatures. Ensure adequate watering and consider using shade cloths for particularly hot climates.
• Autumn: Focus on planting hardy vegetables that can tolerate cooler temperatures. Bulbs for spring flowers should be planted in fall.
• Winter: Indoor gardening becomes more prevalent. Microgreens and certain herbs are excellent choices for indoor environments, providing fresh produce and flavors during the colder months.

Conclusion

Gardening is a rewarding journey, and knowing what to plant and when can help you create a flourishing garden year-round. From spring planting to winter microgreens, these seasonal gardening tips can guide you in making the most of your gardening experience.

As winter approaches, don’t let the cold weather keep you from gardening. Embrace the opportunity to grow microgreens indoors with Vegbed’s eco-friendly bamboo mats, ensuring you can enjoy fresh greens throughout the winter months!