Category Archives: Veggies

Parsley is a semi-hardy vegetable that grows well in cool to warm conditions. Technically, it is a biennial (the full span from seed to flower is 2 years), but it will not survive freezing winter temperatures, so it is usually treated as an annual. Spring Planting Start seeds indoors 12 weeks before the frost date, or purchase transplants. Parsley takes a long time to germinate (2-4 weeks), so buying transplants is recommended. Harden off and transplant outside 5 weeks before the frost date. Fall Planting If you live in a mild climate with a late or no fall frost date … Continue reading →

Swiss chard is a semi-hardy vegetable that grow best in cool weather with lots of sun. Unlike many greens, chard will tolerate warmer temperatures without bolting or going to seed. Spring Planting Swiss chard can be planted directly in the garden 4 weeks before the frost date. To harvest swiss chard sooner, start seeds indoors 10 weeks before the frost date, or purchase transplants. Transplants are ready when they have 4-6 true leaves. Harden off and transplant outside 4 weeks before the frost date. Fall Planting Plant seeds directly in the garden 11 weeks before the frost date, or continue to grow plants … Continue reading →

Carrots are a semi-hardy vegetable that grow best in cool weather with lots of sun. Spring Planting Carrots do not transplant well. Plant carrot seeds directly in the garden 3 weeks before the last frost. Carrot seeds take a long time to germinate, and need consistent watering until they do. It’s best to mist or use drip irrigation so you do not wash the carrot seeds away. Fall Planting Plant carrot seeds directly in the garden 14 weeks before the first fall frost date. Carrots can becomes sweeter after a frost, so it’s a great vegetable to grow in the … Continue reading →

Spinach is a hardy vegetable that grow best in cool weather. Spring Planting Spinach does not transplant well. Plant spinach directly in the garden 5 weeks before the frost date. Fall Planting Plant seeds directly in the garden 9 weeks before the frost date. The plants will mature more slowly in the fall because the days are shorter. If you provide some protection, you can continue harvesting after the first fall frost. If you live in a mild climate with no fall frost date, you can plant spinach from seed and grow it all during the winter. Soil and Fertilizer … Continue reading →

Lettuce is a semi-hardy vegetable that grows best in cool weather or partial shade during the summer. Leaf lettuce is easy to grow, and is planted 4 per square. Head lettuce takes longer to mature, and needs consistent cool temperatures to grow well. It is planted 1 per square. Spring Planting Lettuce can be planted directly in the garden 2 weeks before the frost date. To have a continuous harvest, don’t plant all the lettuce at once. Instead plant a square or two (4-8 plants) every 2 weeks. To harvest lettuce sooner, start seeds indoors 4 weeks before the frost … Continue reading →

Kale is a hardy vegetable that grows best in cool weather. Spring Planting Start seeds indoors 11 weeks before the frost date, or purchase transplants. Transplants are ready when they have 4-6 true leaves. Harden off and transplant outside 5 weeks before the frost date. If you live in a climate with hot summers and/or a short fall, choose varieties that mature quickly. Fall Planting Start seeds indoors 14 weeks before the first fall frost date, or purchase transplants (if available). Transplants are ready when they have 2-4 true leaves. Harden off and transplant outside 9 weeks before the frost date. The plants … Continue reading →

Cabbage is a hardy vegetable that grow best in cool weather. Spring Planting In most areas there is not enough time to grow cabbage from seeds before the weather gets too hot.  Start seeds indoors 12 weeks before the frost date, or purchase transplants. Transplants are ready when they have 4-6 true leaves. Harden off and transplant outside 5 weeks before the frost date. If you live in a climate with hot summers and/or a short fall, choose varieties that mature quickly. Fall Planting Start seeds indoors 14 weeks before the first fall frost date, or purchase transplants (if available). Transplants are ready … Continue reading →

I have not grown raspberries myself. My only experience hearkens back to my childhood when I was forced to pick them for what felt like hours on end, coming out scratched and tired. To add insult to injury, we then had to make raspberry jam. I mostly remember having a sink full of raspberries with bugs floating to the top, and being hot, very hot, as we canned it in little jars. My love of raspberries has not yet grown strong enough to overshadow these memories! (Random side note: near my house there used to be a u-pick raspberry patch. … Continue reading →