What is the best month to start a vegetable garden?
Written by
Kiana Okafor
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Knowing when to begin your vegetable garden will save you a lot of work. When you start planting your crops, it will depend on your location and the specific crops you are growing. Cool-season crops require planting in early spring, while warm-season crops should wait until the soil is frost-free. Your timing will determine your success.
Find Your Frost Dates
- Identify your region's last spring frost date
- Cool-season planting begins 4-6 weeks before this date
- Warm-season planting starts after frost danger passes
Check Soil Temperature
- Cool crops need minimum 40°F soil
- Warm crops require 60°F+ soil
- Use a soil thermometer for accuracy
Plant cool-season vegetables, such as peas and spinach, early, as these withstand light frosts. Warm-season crops, primarily tomatoes and peppers, require warm soil and nighttime temperatures before planting. I plant tomatoes and peppers in the garden when the soil is warm to the touch. Soil temperature gauges remove the guesswork.
Garden journals record planting dates throughout the seasons. Please make a note when your crops thrive, as well as when they fail. This will help you form your own planting calendar. Your records will become your best resource. After two seasons, you may begin to see patterns for your specific region.
Read the full article: When to Plant Vegetable Garden: Ultimate Guide
