Vegetable Key from Gardener’s Supply

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		Arugula Sow seeds directly in garden, 1″ apart and 1/4″ deep, starting four weeks before last frost. Spacing: Broadcast seed then thin to 16 per sq. ft. Plant a new crop every two to three weeks until midsummer; sow again in late summer for fall harvest. Days to harvest: 30 days to full-size leaves; small leaves are ready in 21 days. frost-hardy. Hint: Fall crops are less bothered by flea beetles; cover spring crops with fabric to minimize damage
	Summer	Basil · Plant seeds 1/4″ deep indoors six weeks before last frost; outdoors two weeks after last frost. · Transplant seedlings two to three weeks after last frost or when soil reaches 70 degrees F. · Replant if you have space and want more. · Spacing: two plants per sq. ft. · Days to harvest: 40-55 days from transplant. Harvest leaves as desired. Not frost-hardy. Hint: Pinch stems early and often to stimulate branching and bushy growth.
	Summer	Beans · Sow seeds 1″ deep directly in garden after all danger of frost. · Spacing: four plants per sq. ft. for bush beans, six to eight plants per sq. ft. for pole beans · Plant second crop of bush beans (if needed) two weeks after first planting · Days to harvest: 50-80 days from seed, depending on variety. Not frost-hardy. Hint: Add a legume inoculant when planting to increase vigor and yield.
	Spring Fall	Beets · Sow seeds 1/2″ deep directly in garden five to six weeks before last frost. · Spacing: Plant seeds 18 per sq. ft., thin to nine plants · Plant more in midsummer for a fall harvest · Days to harvest: 45 to 60. Frost-hardy. Hint: The longer you wait to harvest, the bigger the beets. Tops and thinnings are flavorful.
		Bok Choi Sow seeds indoors a month before the last frost. Transplant into garden once nights stay above 50 degrees F. Cold will cause bolting. Sow a fall crop in late summer, 10 to 12 weeks before first fall frost date. Spacing: One plant per sq. ft. for full-size bok choi; two per sq. ft. for pak choi. Days to harvest: 40 to 50 days, depending on variety. Hint: Harvest 1″ above soil level with a sharp knife, then fertilize with liquid fish emulsion to stimulate regrowth.
	Spring Fall	Broccoli · Sow seeds 1/4″ deep indoors, six weeks before last spring frost. · Transplant into garden when seedlings have two sets of leaves. · Spacing: one plant per sq. ft. · Days to harvest: 50 to 70 days from transplant. Frost-hardy. · Plant a second broccoli crop eight weeks before first fall frost. Hint: Row covers are an effective control for cabbage worms.
		Brussels Sprouts Start seedlings 1/4″ deep indoors six weeks before last spring frost. Transplant into garden soon after the last spring frost. Spacing: one per sq. ft. Plant early season crops nearby to give Brussels sprouts more space later in season. Very frost-hardy. Harvest after frost for best flavor. Days to harvest: 90 to 110. Hint: Cut off growing tip of plants a month before fall frost to get bigger sprouts.
	Spring Fall	Cabbage Sow seeds indoors 1/4″ deep eight weeks before last frost or outdoors four weeks before last frost. Transplant seedlings into garden four weeks before last spring frost Spacing: one per sq. ft. Start seeds for fall crop in early summer. Days to harvest: 60 to 105 days, depending on variety. Frost-hardy. Hint: Plants prefer cool weather. Hot temperatures can cause heads to split.
		Calendula Sow seeds directly in the ground in early spring. Spacing: two plants per sq. ft. Replant any time you have a little space in the garden. Fast-growing. Days to bloom: 55 days from planting seeds Hint: Pick off spent flowers to keep plant blooming.
	Spring Fall Winter	Carrots Sow seeds in garden 1/4″ deep three weeks before last spring frost. Spacing: Plant 30 seeds per sq. ft.; thin to 16 plants per sq. ft. Replant six to eight weeks before fall frost for late crop. Days to harvest: 55 to 70 days from seed. Frost-hardy. Hint: Before planting, loosen soil to 12″; remove stones and add compost.
	Spring Fall	Cauliflower Start seedlings indoors ¼ to 1/2″ deep five to six weeks before last spring frost. Transplant into garden after frost. Spacing: one plant per sq. ft. Days to harvest: 50 to 80 days from transplant. Somewhat frost-hardy. Hints: Don't disturb roots when transplanting; keep evenly moist.
		Celery Sow seeds indoors 10 to 12 weeks before the last frost. Transplant into garden when soil reaches 50 degrees F. and nights stay above 40. Spacing: two per sq. ft. Days to harvest: 80 to maturity; harvest individual stalks as needed. Frost-hardy. Hint: Plants tolerate some shade. Ensure consistent moisture to avoid tough stalks.
	Late Spring, Summer	Chives Purchase a pot of chives or get a clump from a neighbor. Plant in garden anytime. Hardy perennial. Spacing: one plant per sq. ft. Days to harvest: Leaves can be harvested from early spring on – as soon as they are 6″ tall. Cutting promotes regrowth. Use flowers in salads. Hint: Divide and pot up some chives in fall and bring indoors to grow on a sunny windowsill all winter.
	Late Spring, Summer	Cilantro Sow seeds directly in the garden around last frost date. Plant 1/4″ to 1/2″ deep. Cilantro goes to seed quickly, so plant more seeds every three weeks to ensure a constant supply. Spacing: Sow 18 seeds per sq. ft.; thin to nine plants per sq. ft. Days to harvest: 50 days for leaves, 90 days for seed harvest. Hint: Do not fertilize. Harvest individual stems or cut back entire plant with scissors, leaving 1″ at base to regrow.
	Summer	Cucumbers · Plant seeds indoors 1/2″ deep three weeks before last frost, or seed in garden after frost. · Transplant into garden after frost and when soil is 65 to 70 degrees F. · Spacing one per sq. ft. for bush type; two per sq. ft. for vining type. · Extend harvest with a second crop, planted two weeks later. · Days to harvest: 50 to 60 days after transplanting. Not frost-hardy. Hint: Use row covers until flowering to keep off insects.
		Dill Plant: Sow seeds directly in the garden after danger of frost. Keep soil moist during germination. Sow continuously to maintain a supply of fresh, tender foliage. Spacing: Sow 18 seeds per sq. ft.; thin to nine plants per sq. ft. Days to harvest: 40 to 50 days for leaf, 85 to 105 days for seed. Hint: For seed, protect plants from wind or stake to keep them from flopping.
	Summer	Eggplants · Start seeds 1/4″ deep indoors eight weeks before last frost. · Transplant seedlings when soil reaches 70 degrees F. or three weeks after last frost. · Spacing: one per sq. ft. · Days to harvest: 55 to 70 days from transplant. Not frost-hardy. Hints: Bugs love eggplants. Protect with garden fabric (row cover) even after flowering.
		Fennel For plumpest bulbs, sow Florence fennel seeds directly in garden in midsummer; sow sweet fennel seeds indoors four weeks before last frost or directly in garden when soil temperature reaches 50 degrees. Spacing: Florence two per sq. ft.; sweet fennel nine per sq. ft. Days to harvest: Florence fennel bulbs 80 days; sweet fennel leaves 50 to 60 days. Hint: Florence fennel needs shortening days to produce a bulb, so plant in summer, not spring.
		Garlic Plant cloves in fall, six weeks before ground freezes, 2″ deep, pointy end up. Spacing: four per sq. ft. Days to harvest: nine months Hint: Keep soil evenly moist all summer, 1″ water per week. Mulch several weeks after planting to retain moisture and insulate against extreme cold.
	Summer	Hot peppers Sow seeds indoors 12 to 14 weeks before last frost; warm soil improves germination. Transplant when soil is at least 60 degrees F. and nights stay above 50. Spacing: one plant per sq. ft. Days to harvest: 50 to 90 days, depending on variety. Red color and full heat requires additional two to three weeks of ripening. Hint: Dark stones around plants increases heat; use garden fabric (row covers) until flowering; water sparingly.
		Kale · Sow seeds 1/2″ deep indoors eight weeks before last frost or in garden six weeks before last frost. · Transplant seedlings into garden up to six weeks before last frost. Very frost-hardy. · Spacing: two plants per sq. ft. Can be planted midsummer wherever early crops are removed. · Kale continues to grow and produce leaves until late fall. · Days to harvest: 60 days. Very frost-hardy. Hint: Kale can be grown in part shade. It needs plenty of moisture, so mulch well.
		Kohlrabi Sow seeds directly in garden four weeks before last spring frost; in South plant in late winter or early fall. Plant 1/2″ deep. Spacing: Sow 2″ apart; thin to four plants per sq. ft. Days to harvest: 40. Storage variety Kossack requires 80 days. Hint: A fast-growing crop. Replant area after harvest with Florence fennel, bush beans, Swiss chard or beets.
		Leeks Start seeds indoors 10 to 12 weeks before last spring frost. Transplant around the time of the last frost Spacing: six plants per sq. ft. Early leeks can be planted in spring and again in summer for a fall harvest. Days to harvest: 50 to 75 days from transplant for early leeks; 90 to 120 days for storage leeks. Frost-hardy. Hint: To get long white stems, plant in a 6″ hole and fill with soil as leeks grow.
	Spring Summer Fall Winter	Head Lettuce · Sow seed indoors 1/4″ deep, eight weeks before last frost or in garden when soil is 50 degrees F. · Transplant seedlings when four weeks old. · Spacing: Start with five seedlings, eat four as they grow and let one head mature to full size. · Plant more lettuce seeds every two to four weeks for a continuous supply · Days to harvest: 50 days to full size. Edible anytime. Replant every two weeks. Frost-hardy. Hint: Lettuce dislikes heat. Give plants afternoon shade and lots of water.
	Spring Summer Fall Winter	Leaf Lettuce · Sow seed indoors 1/4″ deep, eight weeks before last frost or directly in garden when soil can be worked. · Thin seedlings when four weeks old. · Spacing: 16 plants per sq. ft. · Plant more lettuce every two to four weeks for a good supply. · Days to harvest: 28 days for baby lettuce, 45 days to full size. Frost-hardy. Hint: Harvest outer leaves anytime, or use scissors to harvest entire plant, leaving an inch of stem to encourage new growth.
	Summer	Melons Sow 1/2″ deep in garden two to three weeks after last spring frost, or indoors at time of last frost. Transplant seedlings (if started indoors) when small and soil has reached 70 degrees F. Spacing: one or two plants per sq. ft. One crop per season Days to harvest: 75 days from transplant. Not frost-hardy. Hint: Cover soil surface with plastic or grow vines on trellis to keep melons off soil.
	Summer	Okra Start seeds indoors four to six weeks before the last frost. Transplant into garden after soil reaches 65 degrees F. and nighttime temperatures stay above 60. Spacing: one plant per sq. ft. Days to harvest: 50 to 70 days, depending on weather. Hint: Use black plastic to warm soil and intensify heat around the plant.
	Spring Summer	Onions · Start seeds 1/4″ deep indoors 12 weeks before last frost · Transplant plants into garden a month before last frost. If planting sets, plant them 1″ deep. · Spacing: nine plants per sq. ft., or plant more densely and then thin and eat small onions · Days to harvest: 100 to 120 days. Frost-hardy. Hint: Onions will not tolerate weeds and require consistent moisture.
	Spring, Summer, Fall	Oregano Purchase potted plant as seed-grown plants may not have good flavor. Hardy perennial. Spacing: one plant per sq. ft. Days to harvest: Leaves from first-year plants can be picked sparingly by midsummer. Hint: Plants with white flowers have best-tasting leaves. Cull plants that revert to pink flowers.
	Spring Summer Fall Winter	Parsley Start seeds 1/4″ deep indoors 10 to 12 weeks before last frost. Transplant seedlings into garden up to a month before last frost. Spacing: two plants per sq. ft. Edible all summer and into winter. Biennial: plants will go to seed second year. Days to harvest: 75. Begin harvesting foliage at any time. Very frost-hardy. Hint: Parsley takes up to 21 days to germinate. Treat seeds with hot water before planting.
		Parsnips Sow seeds directly in the garden in early spring. Plant 1/2″ deep. Spacing: Sow 18 seeds per sq. ft.; thin to nine per sq. ft. Days to harvest: 110 to 120 days; harvest in fall or leave in ground over winter and harvest early spring. Hint: Wash hands after contact with leaf sap; it sometimes causes skin reaction.
	Spring Fall	Peas · Plant outdoors 1″ deep as soon as soil can be worked. · Spacing: nine to 16 per sq. ft. Provide support with string or wire trellis. · For a fall crop, plant again six to eight weeks before frost. · Days to harvest: 50 to 60 days from planting seeds. Very frost-hardy. Hint: Add legume inoculant to soil when planting to increase vigor and yield.
	Summer	Peppers · Start seeds indoors 1/4″ deep 10 to 12 weeks before last frost. · Transplant into garden three weeks after last frost or when soil reaches 70 degrees F. · Fruits are edible from early green to full-color maturity. · Spacing: one plant per sq. ft. · Days to harvest: 50 to 65 days green, 80 to 85 days to full color. Not frost-hardy. Hint: Do not fertilize peppers. Water sparingly.
	Spring Summer Fall	Potatoes Plant 1-1/2″ chunks 4″ deep, two weeks before last frost or when soil reaches 50 degrees F. Purchase seed potatoes or use organic potatoes that were not treated to resist sprouting. In South, plant in fall for winter crop. Not frost-hardy. Spacing: one to three plants per sq. ft. Days to harvest: 55 to 90 days. Harvest anytime after flowering and before frost.
		Pumpkins Start seeds indoors three to four weeks before last frost or sow directly after soil has warmed to 60 degrees F. If transplanting, handle carefully to avoid disturbing roots. Spacing: one per sq. ft. Locate at outer edge of bed and let vines run onto lawn or up a trellis. Smaller pumpkins have shorter vines. Hint: For best storage, leave stems long and cut stems cleanly from vine (don’t pull or tear).
	Spring Summer Fall	Radishes Plant 1/2″ deep directly in garden four weeks before last frost or after soil reaches 45 degrees F. Plant successive crops anywhere there is unused space in the garden. Spacing: 16 plants per sq. ft. Days to harvest: 21 to 28. Frost-hardy. Hint: Harvest as soon as possible. Roots get woody when large.
		Rosemary Germination is poor and seeds must be very fresh, so buying potted plants is recommended. Plant outdoors only after all danger of frost. Grow in garden or in pot. Tender perennial. Spacing: one plant per sq. ft. Days to harvest: Leaves from first year plants can be picked sparingly by midsummer. Hint: Do not allow rosemary to dry out completely. In cold climates, bring plant indoors and grow in sunny window during winter.
		Rutabagas Sow seeds directly in garden four to six weeks before last frost. Spacing: Sow extra seed and thin to four plants per sq. ft. Days to harvest: 90 to 95, depending on variety. Hint: Harvest rutabagas after a couple of frosts.
		Sage Start with a small purchased plant. Hardy perennial. Spacing: one plant per sq. ft. Days to harvest: Leaves from first-year plants can be picked sparingly by midsummer. Hint: Sage needs to be divided every third or fourth spring to keep it vigorous.
	Spring Fall Winter	Spinach · Plant seeds 1/2″ deep directly in garden up to six weeks before last frost. · Sow spinach every two weeks in spring and again in late summer for fall crops. · Spacing: sow 18 seeds per sq. ft.; thin to nine plants per sq. ft. · Days to harvest: 30 to 40 days from germination. Very frost-hardy. Hint: Spinach bolts in hot weather, so harvest early. Keep soil cool and moist with mulch or shade netting.
	Spring Summer Fall Winter	Swiss Chard · Plant seeds 1/2″ deep indoors six weeks before last frost, or in garden two weeks before last frost · Transplant: Around the time of last frost · Plant a second crop to ensure a plentiful supply of tender leaves. · Spacing: two plants per sq. ft. · Days to harvest: 30 days from seed for baby; 50 days to full size. Frost-hardy. Hint: Good source of summer greens, chard is not bothered by heat.
	Summer	Summer Squash · Plant seeds 3/4″ deep indoors or outdoors three weeks after last frost, or when soil is 70 degrees F. · Transplant three weeks after last frost, or when soil is 70 degrees F. · When picked frequently, plants will produce continuously until frost. · Spacing: one plant per sq. ft. for bush varieties; two plants per sq. ft. for vining types growing on trellis. · Days to harvest: 30 to 40 days from transplant; 40 to 50 from seed. Not frost-hardy. Hint: Start under garden fabric (row covers) to protect from insects.
	Summer Fall	Sweet Potatoes Plant slips (rooted sprouts) two weeks after last frost, once soil and night temperatures are 60 degrees or more. Spacing: one per sq. ft. Days to harvest: 90. Hint: Cover soil with black plastic to increase heat and prevent unwanted rooting of vines.
		Thyme Plant: Start with a small potted plant in mid-spring. Hardiness varies depending on variety. Tender or hardy perennial. Spacing: two plants per sq. ft. Days to harvest: Leaves from first year plants can be picked sparingly by midsummer. Hint: Good drainage is essential for success. Work in plenty of compost, but no fertilizer is needed.
		Tomatillos Plant seeds 1/4″ deep indoors four to five weeks before last frost Transplant one to two weeks after last frost or when soil reaches 65 degrees F. Spacing: one plant per sq. ft. Install cages at planting time for support. Days to harvest: 60 to 70 days from transplant. Not frost-hardy. Hint: Fruits are ripe when husk opens.
	Summer	Tomatoes · Plant seeds 1/4″ deep indoors, six to eight weeks before last frost · Transplant into garden one to two weeks after last frost or when soil reaches 65 degrees F. · Spacing: one plant per sq. ft. Grow early season crops nearby to allow more room later. · Days to harvest: 55 to 100 days from transplanting, depending on variety. Not frost-hardy Hint: Remove lower leaves before planting and bury extra stem.
		Turnips Sow seeds directly in garden four to six weeks before last frost. Spacing: nine plants per sq. ft. Days to harvest: 40 to 50 days, depending on variety. Tip: Replant turnips in midsummer for fall harvest.
	Summer	Winter Squash · Plant seeds 3/4″ deep indoors or outdoors, three weeks after last frost, when soil is 70 degrees F. · Transplant: three weeks after last frost, or when soil is 70 degrees F. · Spacing: one plant per sq. ft. Grow on trellis or allow vines to run out of the garden · Days to harvest: 85 to 100 from planting seeds, depending on variety. Pick before first frost. Hint: Prune growing tips to keep under control. Leave stems attached when harvesting.