There are really three seasons of vegetable gardening here in Kentucky. Because we are in zone 6, we can usually start planting our early spring crops in early March. These include your spinach, lettuce, onion sets, cilantro, peas and potatoes. In fact, here in Kentucky it is very important to plant spinach, lettuce, cilantro and peas because they do not like our hot weather here. They bolt very quickly once our hot weather starts here usually in May. April is the best time of year to plant your early spring plants such as broccoli and cabbage.
May and June are when the summer season crops go in here. These include your squashes, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes and other frost intolerant plants. These will last until the first frost comes. To extend their lives in the fall I will cover them if there is to only be a light frost followed by warmer weather.
The last season is the fall growing season. These plants are again your early spring plants such as your spinach, lettuce and peas. You can also plant broccoli and cabbage seeds versus plants. These seasons start from mid-July to early August. The hard part of this garden time is keeping the seeds wet enough to sprout and prosper. These crops, once mature can grow even into November and December here as long as you cover them when frost arrives.
Thinking of your garden as a three season place and using succession planting will extend the time that your family has fresh vegetables during the year. You can have garden produce almost 6 months of the year versus the typical 3-4 months with a one season garden. Take some time and plan out your three season garden this week. Write earliest and latest dates on your calendar when to plant specific crops. You should be able to obtain this information from your county extension office or a good gardening friend.
May and June are when the summer season crops go in here. These include your squashes, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes and other frost intolerant plants. These will last until the first frost comes. To extend their lives in the fall I will cover them if there is to only be a light frost followed by warmer weather.
The last season is the fall growing season. These plants are again your early spring plants such as your spinach, lettuce and peas. You can also plant broccoli and cabbage seeds versus plants. These seasons start from mid-July to early August. The hard part of this garden time is keeping the seeds wet enough to sprout and prosper. These crops, once mature can grow even into November and December here as long as you cover them when frost arrives.
Thinking of your garden as a three season place and using succession planting will extend the time that your family has fresh vegetables during the year. You can have garden produce almost 6 months of the year versus the typical 3-4 months with a one season garden. Take some time and plan out your three season garden this week. Write earliest and latest dates on your calendar when to plant specific crops. You should be able to obtain this information from your county extension office or a good gardening friend.
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