Basic Things You Should Know About Vegetable Gardening Planting Times

First, there are different types of vegetables to choose from, and some prefer cooler temperatures while others thrive in hot, dry conditions. This will alter your vegetable gardening planting times somewhat. Next, these planting times will vary from region to region, even within your own state. Finally, even when you try to pay close attention to these dates and plant accordingly, you are bound to lose the occasional crop or two to a late spring or early fall frost.

There are no guarantees when it comes to gardening! However, there are some general guidelines that you can use to help ensure your best chance of success with your vegetable garden.

Localize your Dates

This is one of those reasons that local extension offices are invaluable to garden hobbyists. Not only can the extension office in your area tell you which plants will grow best in your area; they can also give you dates to follow regarding vegetable gardening planting times. When you are considering these dates, keep in mind that there is a difference between an “early” frost and a “hard” frost, in that some plants will be able to survive early frosts but not hard freezes, and other plants will not make it through the first cold night of the year.

When in doubt, read the instructions in your planting guides or check with your local nursery or extension office to clarify exactly how much cold each of your vegetables can take. It is also important to note that these dates given for vegetable gardening planting times are only best guesses based on past history, and cannot guarantee against the little “surprises” that Mother Nature likes to throw at gardeners on occasion to keep gardening interesting and challenging.

Check your Soil

If you don’t want to rely solely on these estimated dates for your vegetable gardening planting times, you can take matters into your own hands and measure the temperature of your soil. Soil thermometers are not expensive, and can be purchased at most nurseries and garden supply centers.

Make sure that you put your thermometer into the soil at least four inches deep to get an accurate reading. When the temperature consistently reads in the 50’s, you can plant your cool weather crops like lettuce and broccoli. When it rises to the upper 60’s, it’s time to get the rest of those plants into the ground. This method of determining vegetable gardening planting times will allow you to get your garden started at the earliest possible time. By following the correct guidelines in vegetable gardening planting times, you are already on the road to a bountiful harvest.