I get lots of questions as to when to prepare the garden and plant certain things. Through my own experience and research I came up with this month by month gardening schedule! Planting times and outdoor chores are subject to change due to weather. Each month is an approximate 4 week month, days and times may vary. List is subject to change depending on what I do in the garden, but here are the basics.
JANUARY
Week 1 – If snow is sparse water evergreen trees and shrubs
Week 2 - Order seed catalog’s and get your seeds ordered for the year.
Weeks 3-4 – Start perennial herbs indoors.
FEBRUARY
Week 1 – Start broccoli, spinach and cabbage indoors
Week 2-3 – If snow has been sparse water evergreen trees and shrubs
Week 4 – Sharpen pruning tools. Prune trees and non- flowering shrubs while dormant or sign up for a free class in March at the Conservation Garden Park in West Jordan UT. Begin yard clean up of any debris.
MARCH
Week 1 – Start cauliflower and lettuce seeds indoors. Start tomatoes and peppers indoors if planning to place under walls of water mid April ( in 6 weeks).
Week 2 – Apply dormant oil to fruit trees if using. Continue yard clean up and apply a top cover of compost, 3-4 inches in all beds. Prepare garden beds by gently mixing organic compost and organic fertilizer into vegetable beds. Start planting Group A Hardy Plants (see list below) from seeds or starts outside as soon as soil can be worked (can be moist,but not wet).
Week 3 – Bare root fruit trees and shrubs become available at local nurseries.
Week 4 – Start tomato and pepper seeds indoors if planning to put outside mid May ( in 6 weeks).
APRIL
Week 1 – Start planting Semi-Hardy Plants from Group B including perennial herbs (see list below). Apply pre-emergent to turf grass to control annual weeds if using.
Week 2 – Cold tolerant flowers like pansies become available to plant at all nurseries. Prune shrubs that bloom after June.
Week 3 – Harden off tomato seedlings by exposing them to 40`-50` F for 3 hrs per day this week. Start melons, cucumber and squash indoors if desired.
Week 4 – Transplant tomato and seedlings under walls of water. Aerate turf grass. Prune roses. Plant dahlia and gladiolus bulbs outside.
MAY
Week 1 – Depending on the weather, water lawn and beds 1/2 – 1 inch per week. Harden off tomato seedlings by exposing them to 40`-50` F for 3 hours every day this week. Fertilize lawn with organic fertilizer. Check sprinkler heads and check for adequate water coverage.
Week 2 – Start planting Tender Vegetables in Group C (see list below), including tomatoes. Check USU Pest Advisory to get a head start on controlling garden pests. Plant warm weather annual flowers. Enjoy the harvest of fresh spinach, lettuce, kale and other leafy greens from the garden.
Week 3 – Prune spring blooming shrubs after they finish blooming. Plant Very Tender Vegetables Group D from seeds outside.
Week 4 – Plant Very Tender Vegetables Group D from starts (see list below). Apply chelated iron to plants suffering form iron chlorosis like strawberries, raspberries and roses.
JUNE
Week 1 – Water lawn and beds 1-1 1/2 inches per week. Spray fruit trees if choosing to keep the pests away.
Week 2 – Continue harvesting leafy greens, peas and herbs from the garden.
Week 3 – Fertilize vegetables and flowers with a good organic fertilizer like fish emulsion. Check to see of soil is getting watered down 4-6 inches with a garden spade.
Week 4 – Continue harvest of veggies and herbs. Build compost for garden. Start broccoli and leek seeds indoors for a fall crop.
JULY
Week 1 – Water lawn and beds 1 1/2 – 2 inches per week. If you planted tomatoes in walls of water enjoy the first harvest by July 4th!
Week 2 – Fertilize annual flowers and veggies, especially potatoes and corn. Dead head perennials and annuals if needed.
Week 3 – Harvest potatoes if the tops begin to die back so you can use the bed for a fall crop.
Week 4 – Start planting Cold Crops Group E for fall. Add more compost and fertilizer to soil before planting.
AUGUST
Week 1- Water lawn and beds 1 1/2 – 2 inches per week. Go to your local Farmers Market.
Week 2 – Harvest garlic bulbs. Make a plan for what you want to preserve for food storage for the year.
Week 3 – Fertilize flowers, fruits and veggies. Apply more chelated iron to raspberries if needed. Harvest onions.
Week 4 – Preserve your harvest through canning, drying or freezing. Visit your local Farmer’s Market.
SEPTEMBER
Week 1 – Water lawn and beds 1-1 1/2 inches per week. Learn how to save seeds.
Week 2 – Plant trees and shrubs if adding to your landscape. Fertilize lawn. Visit your local Farmer’s Market.
Week 3 – Fall bulbs become available at local nurseries. Shop for late season perennials on sale.
Week 4 – Harvest potatoes if you haven’t already. Enjoy the last of the tender veggies before it freezes. Plant green cover crops (legumes) to enhance soil for next year.
OCTOBER
Week 1 – Water lawn and beds 1/2 – 1 inch per week.
Week 2 – Divide and transplant spring and summer blooming perennials. Plant fall bulbs if you haven’t already. Deeply water all evergreen trees and shrubs to prevent winter injury.
Week 3 – Winterize sprinkler system. Cover fall crop vegetables before hard freeze if using hoop houses or cold frames.
Week 4 – Clean out annuals and dead perennials. Fertilize lawn one last time for healthy spring lawn.
NOVEMBER
Week 1 – Clean and prepare garden tools for a winter.
Week 2 – Clean up any excess leaves or debris to keep the pests from wintering over.
Week 3-4 – Enjoy the beginning of the holidays! Happy Thanksgiving! try cooking up some fresh sage, thyme and onions sauteing in butter! Basting the turkey or making stuffing with it! Oh I love the holidays!
DECEMBER
Happy Christmas! Give dried herbs in cute glass jars or other yummy homemade garden gifts to neighbors for Christmas!
GROUP A HARDY – March 15th – May 1st
Artichoke, Kohlrabi, Asparagus, Onions, Rhubarb, Broccoli, Peas, Spinach, Cabbage, Kale, Radish, Turnip
GROUP B SEMI HARDY – March 20 – May 1st
Beet, Lettuce, Potato, Carrot, Parsley, Salsify, Cauliflower, Parsnip, Swiss Chard, Endive
GROUP C TENDER – May 5 – June 1
Celery, Spinach (again), Cucumber, Summer Squash, Corn
GROUP D VERY TENDER – May 20 – June 10
Cantoloupe, Pumpkin, Eggplant, Tomato, Pepper, Beans, Watermelon, Winter Squash
GROUP E PLANTS FOR FALL HARVEST – Average planting date end of July to beginning of August
Beets, Cabbage, Kale, Lettuce, Spinach, Chard, Carrots, Leeks, Broccoli, Peas
