Gardening 101

Maybe you’re a gardening pro with a green thumb, or maybe you’ve avoided growing your own produce out of uncertainty. Whichever end of the spectrum you land on, here’s a timeline and a few tricks to keep your own backyard garden teeming with life.

Mid-May

Now that we are (hopefully!) past anymore night time frosts, it’s time to start planting the following:

• Tomatoes: It’s best to plant these starter plants about 2 feet apart, giving them plenty of room to grow and thrive. Use a cage or stake if the variety you choose recommends it!
• Eggplant: Plant starter plants now, and they’ll be ready to harvest at the end of July!
• Peppers: Plant your starter pepper plants about 18 inches apart. Just like eggplant, these will be ready toward the end of July.
• Green Beans: Opt for seeds over starter plants with these, planting the seeds in a row. A popular variety of green beans to plant are Blue Lake Bush beans. Just keep in mind, pole beans will need to be staked.
• Zucchini & Summer Squash: Go with starter plants for these and expect to start harvesting mid-June.
• Melons: While it’s likely we are in the clear by now, wait until we have consistently warm nights as melons are extremely susceptible to cold. Plant starter plants and look forward to the harvest in early August.
• Cucumbers: Last but not least, go with starter plants for your cucumbers. You should be able to start harvesting in July.

Early June

Here’s a few plants to hold off on planting for now – wait until early June to have a fall harvest!

• Pumpkins: Go with seed planting for pumpkins and expect your harvest in time for Halloween!
• Winter Squash: Opt for seed planting here as well. You’ll have a harvest in the fall, just in time for cool weather soups and recipes!

Not sure where to buy seeds and starter plants? The following greenhouses are local options that will likely have everything you’re looking for, as well as more expert advice, tips, and tricks!

• Stuckey’s Greenhouses and Garden Center
• DeWald Gardens
• Arbor Farms Nursery

Here’s to eating fresh this season!