Insects and Disease
Soil borne pathogens, and insects, that attack one member of a plant family frequently will infect or attack other plants in that same family. Planting similar plants in the same location, year after year, tends to make the soil in that location much more prone to the diseases and insects that harm those plants.

Soil Nutrients
Different crops take varying amounts of different nutrients from the soil as they grow and produce fruit or vegetables. If similar plants continue to be planted in the same location year after year, the nutrients in the soil inevitably become unbalanced to the point where even the addition of fertilizers may not entirely correct the deficiency.

Preferred Method
There is no hard and fast rule as to which plants should be planted after another when practicing crop rotation, whether in the farmer’s fields or in the home garden. The most effective, and easiest crop rotation system involves grouping vegetables into six ( 6 ) different groups, each of these groups having similar insect, disease, and soil nutritional content characteristics. Never plant a vegetable from the same group, in the same location, two years in a row. Waiting three years before planting a vegetable from the same group is even better.

For example, if this spring you plant Tomatoes, a Group III plant, in a particular spot in the garden, you could plant Broccoli, a Group II plant, in that same spot this fall, and then Cantaloupe, a Group I plant, in that spot next spring. By sequentially planting warm and cool season crops from different groups, you will maximize your garden’s production while maintaining good crop rotation practices.

Here is a Garden Planning spreadsheet that I use with my raised beds utilizing “square foot gardening”, to help keep track of what has been planted, where it was planted, and when. Use it as it is, or feel free to modify it to better meet your particular needs.

Conclusion
Although it takes a little advance planning to implement crop rotation in your home garden, the increased health and production of your vegetables will make you glad to put the effort into doing so.

Crop Rotation Plant Groups
[ Group I ]
• Cucurbitaceae (Gourd Family)
– Cucumber
– Watermelon
– Cantaloupe
– Honeydew Melon
– Summer Squash
– Winter Squash
– Pumpkin

[ Group II ]
• Cruciferae (Mustard Family)
– Cabbage
– Broccoli
– Cauliflower
– Kohlrabi
– Collard
– Kale
– Brussels Sprouts
– Chinese cabbage
– Turnip
– Radish

• Chenopodiaceae (Beets Family)
– Swiss Chard
– Spinach

• Compositae (Sunflower Family)
– Lettuce
– Globe Artichoke
– Jerusalem Artichoke

[ Group III ]
• Solanaceae (Nightshade Family)
– Tomato
– Pepper
– Eggplant
– Potato

• Convolvulaceae (Morning-glory Family)
– Sweet potato

• Malvaceae (Cotton Family)
– Okra

[ Group IV ]
• Alliaceae (Allium Family)
– Onion
– Garlic
– Leek
– Shallot

• Chenopodiaceae (Beets Family)
– Beets

• Umbelliferae (Parsley Family)
– Celery
– Carrot
– Parsnip
– Parsley

[ Group V ]
• Gramineae (Grass Family)
– Sweet corn

[ Group VI ]
• Leguminosae (Pea/Bean Family)
– Snap Bean
– Pea
– Cowpea
– Black-eyed Pea

The post Crop Rotation in the Home Garden first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

Suddenly you stop dead in your tracks. “What the…!” You notice bits of broken glass on the ground near where the side window used to be. And there, sitting in the driver seat with a bunch of loose wires in his hand and a smirk on his face is that teenager from down the street. You’ve seen him hanging around the street corner. You’ve heard from neighbors of the trouble he’s caused them. But you never thought you’d catch him red handed trying to take something of yours.

That’s pretty much how you feel when you go out to your garden and see a bunch of pill bugs eating your strawberries, a stinkbug sucking on one of your peaches, or a grasshopper gnawing on your lettuce. To paraphrase that infamous Sith Lord, “Take your pesticide, Strike down the cabbage looper with all of your hatred, and your journey to the dark side will be complete.”

Integrated Pest Management
Fortunately, by utilizing a technique called Integrated Pest Management, we can control pests in our garden without making our backyard a nuclear waste dump. According to the Department of Horticultural Sciences, and the Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for the home vegetable garden consists of four key strategies:
1) Plant genetic resistance to pests and disease
2) Biological control (the use of one organism to control another)
3) Environmental and cultural (favorable for the plant, unfavorable for the pest)
4) Chemical

Plan Ahead
IPM starts before you even plant your garden. Choose vegetable varieties that are resistant to pests and diseases or that will continue to grow and produce vegetables in spite of pest damage. Your state Cooperative Extension system is an excellent source of information on vegetable varieties that do best in your area. Check my post from March 2011 for a listing of, and links to, the Cooperative Extension agencies in each state.

Healthy Plants
A healthy plant can better survive pest damage and ward off disease. Place your garden in an area that receives at least 6-8 hours of full sunlight each day. Ensure that the soil in your garden is high in organic matter and drains well. Consider using raised beds. Water your plants deeply and regularly, but don’t over water. To help prevent plant diseases, always water early in the morning so the foliage will have a chance to dry during the day. Consider drip irrigation. Many pests live, and eat, on the underside of foliage. Sometimes just spraying the affected area with a garden hose will at least temporarily wash them off.

Keep the Bugs Out
Keep your garden clean and weed free. Always remove any dead or diseased foliage from your plants, and remove weeds and plant debris from your garden as they can harbor pests. Consider covering your plants with floating row covers. A floating row cover is a lightweight fabric that can be purchased from your local garden supply store. The fabric allows rain, and 85 to 90% of sunlight to penetrate. It can protect your plants from wind damage and offers some moderate frost protection as well. Be sure to uncover your plants when they are flowering so that bees and other pollinators have access.

According to the AgriLIFE EXTENSION, Texas A&M System, an estimated 70% of all plant problems are caused by cultural practices rather than insects and diseases.

Biological Control
Biological control is the use of one organism to help control another. Most pests have natural predators or parasites that can help to keep a pest population in check. Introducing companion plants into your garden can provide a desirable environment for these beneficial predators and parasites. Some companion plants may exude natural chemicals that repel pests. Other companion plants can even be used as a trap crop, a plant that the pest is more attracted to than your vegetables.

Identify the Problem
There are more than 30,000 species of insects found in Texas alone; fewer than 100 of these cause problems in vegetable gardens. These insects come in a vast assortment of sizes, shapes, and colors, and can fly, walk, crawl, or dig their way into your garden. For any given insect species, its appearance and often its mode of transportation will change dramatically as it progresses through its life cycle.

The key to proper identification, and successful control, of pests is early detection. Pests can migrate to, or reproduce in your garden very quickly and in large numbers. If possible, make it part of your daily routine to spend time in your garden each morning. It’s a good time to see how your plants are growing, water your plants, inspect your plants for any signs of pests, and if you’re lucky harvest a few fresh vegetables.

Vegetable IPM website
Here is a link to the Integrated Pest Management for the Home Vegetable Garden website, http://vegetableipm.tamu.edu/. This site will help you identify an insect, both pests and beneficial insects, by its name, a picture, the type of damage it’s doing, or by the vegetable it’s damaging. It also offers different methods of controlling the pests.

Chemical Control
The mention of chemicals to control pests often conjures up images of someone in a HAZMAT suit pumping barrels of highly toxic substances all over your vegetables. But many pesticides are derived from natural substances and are approved for organic gardening usage. The toxicity level of a pesticide is rated by its Lethal Dosage (LD50) Value. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, An LD50 is a standard measurement of acute toxicity that is stated in milligrams (mg) of pesticide per kilogram (kg) of body weight. An LD50 represents the individual dose required to kill 50 percent of a test population. Because LD50 values are standard measurements, it is possible to compare relative toxicities among pesticides.

The lower the LD50 dose, the more toxic the pesticide. A pesticide with an LD50 value of 10 mg/kg is 10 times more toxic than a pesticide with an LD50 of 100 mg/kg. The table below shows the LD50 levels of several chemicals.

Pesticide Acute Toxicity by LD50
Source: Montgomery County Texas Extension

Summary
Do your best to prevent pests before they can do a lot of damage. Attract beneficials to your garden. Have patience. All gardens have at least a few pests. Monitor outbreak areas before you spray. Know your pest. By properly identifying the pest and its current stage of development, the appropriate pesticide can be chosen. Choose a pesticide that kills only the pest and not beneficials.

Trying to use “the force” or a “light saber” to keep pests out of your garden probably won’t work. But a little hard work and a well-planed Integrated Pest Management program will go a long towards ensuring a bountiful garden harvest.

The post Pests: The Dark Side of Gardening first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

FREEZE vs. FROST
For each Weather Monitoring Station, a FREEZE DAY is any day in the year that the temperature reaches 32°F or below. A FROST DAY is any day in the year that the temperature reaches 36°F or below.

So why worry about FROST DAYS more so than FREEZE DAYS? Well, a Freeze is what will kill many plants. But, Weather Monitoring Stations are typically mounted four to six feet above the ground. During clear, calm, and cold nights the temperature at ground level, where your garden is, can become much colder and even freeze. So we’re just trying to play it a little safer by focusing on FROST days.

SPRING
In the spring, as temperatures start to warm, the LAST day of the year that a FREEZE DAY occurs is considered the LAST FREEZE DATE for that year. As the temperatures continue to warm, although no more FREEZE DAYS may occur, the LAST day of the year that a FROST DAY occurs is considered the LAST FROST DATE for that year. Usually about a week or two after the LAST FREEZE DATE.

The LAST FROST DATE for your area is the day of the year, based on these 30 year averages, that there is only a 10% chance that there will be a FROST on that day. So, at least statistically, you should be safe to plant ON or AFTER this date.

FALL
In the fall, as temperatures start to cool, the FIRST day of the year that a FROST DAY occurs is considered the FIRST FROST DATE for that year. As the temperatures continue to cool, usually about a week or two later, the FIRST FREEZE DAY of the year will occur.

The FIRST FROST DATE for your area is the day of the year, based on these 30 year averages, that there is a 90% chance that there will be a FROST on that date. So again, at least statistically, you will want to have completed your harvest ON or BEFORE this day.

REMEMBER
Remember, although statistically accurate, you are really just playing the odds with these dates. It’s kind of like going to Las Vegas, but instead of gambling with your money, you put your tomato plants up on the blackjack table. (Editors Note: For your own safety, DO NOT attempt this in any gaming establishment.) Before planting you should ALWAYS check your local weather to see if a frost or freeze is in the forecast.

NEW AND IMPROVED
The National Climatic Data Center has recently released an entirely new data set, this one collected between 1981 and 2010. With this data, we’ve created a new and improved way for finding the FREEZE and FROST DATES for your specific area.

Enter your 5-DIGIT ZIP CODE in the calculator, then click on the FIND IT button. The FREEZE and FROST DATES for your area will then be displayed in the RESULTS section. If you want to look up another location, Click the RESET button, and start over.

I hope you find this information helpful, and I wish you Happy (freeze damage free) Planting.

Data Source: National Climatic Data Center

The post Last Frost Date: What it Means to Your Garden first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

Our Complete Seed Source Guide table below has been updated for 2015 and has an alphabetical listing of many sources of Seeds, Transplants, and Bulbs for Vegetables, Herbs, Flowers, Grains, Grasses, Ground Covers, Vines, Fruits, Sprouting, Trees, Wildflowers, and much more. Many are Open-pollinated, Non-GMO, Organic, and Heirloom varieties. Most offer a Free Catalog.

So whether it’s still snowing outside, or it’s time to start planting tomorrow, dig in and order your seeds now.

NAME	WEBSITE	CONTACT	NOTES
AMERICAN MEADOWS	www.americanmeadows.com	223 Avenue D, Ste 30 Williston, VT 05495 (877)309-7333	Seeds Plants Wildflowers Native Grasses Flowers Vegetables
ANNIE'S ANNUALS & PERENNIALS	www.anniesannuals.com	740 Market Ave. Richmond, CA 94801 (888)266-4370	Seeds Bulbs Flowers Foliage Grass Herbs Poppies Sedges Shrubs South African Bulbs Succulents Sunflowers Trees Vegetables Vines Water Plants Free Catalog
BAKER CREEK HEIRLOOM SEEDS	www.rareseeds.com	2278 Baker Creek Rd Mansfield, MO 65704 (417)924-8917	Open-pollinated Non-GMO Heirloom Seeds Vegetables Flowers Wild Flowers Herbs Free Catalog
BBB SEED	www.bbbseed.com	6595 Odell Place, Unit G Boulder, CO 80301 (303)530-1222	Open-pollinated Non-GMO Heirloom Seeds Vegetables Flowers Wild Flowers Native Grasses Cover Crops Free Catalog
BLUESTONE PERENNIALS	www.bluestoneperennials.com	7211 Middle Ridge Rd Madison, OH 44057 (800)852-5243	Plants Perennial Flowers Ferns Vines Grasses Ground Covers Free Catalog
BOTANICAL INTERESTS	www.botanicalinterests.com	660 Compton Street Broomfield, CO 80020 (877)821-4340	Seeds Vegetables Herbs Flowers Organic
BOUNTIFUL GARDENS	www.bountifulgardens.org	1712-D South Main St Willits, CA 95490 (707)459-6410	Open-pollinated Non-GMO Heirloom Seeds Vegetables Herbs Flowers Grains Green Manures Compost Carbon Crops
BRENT AND BECKYS BULBS	www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com	7900 Daffodil Lane Gloucester, VA 23061 (877)661-2852	Flower Bulbs Free Catalog
BURNT RIDGE NURSERY & ORCHARDS	www.burntridgenursery.com	432 Burnt Ridge Rd Onalaska, WA 98570 (360)985-2873	Fruiting Plants Nut Trees Ornamental Trees Northwest US Natives Free Catalog
BURPEE	www.burpee.com	300 Park Avenue Warminster, PA 18974 (800)888-1447	Seeds Plants Vegetables Flowers Perennials Herbs Heirlooms Fruit Plants Free Catalog
THE COOK’S GARDEN	www.cooksgarden.com	P. O. Box C5030 Warminster, PA 18974 (800)457-9703	Seeds Plants Vegetables Herbs Flowers Fruits Free Catalog
DIXONDALE FARMS	www.dixondalefarms.com	PO Box 129 Department WP12 Carrizo Springs, TX 78834 (877)367-1015	Plants Onions Leeks Free Catalog
DOLLAR SEED	dollarseed.com	Website	Non-GMO Seeds Vegetables Herbs Organic Sprouting Flowers Seeds for $1.00 Free Catalog
DUTCH GARDENS	www.dutchgardens.com	4 Currency Drive P.O. Box 2999 Bloomington, IL 61702 (800)944-2250	Bulbs Flowers Plants Roses Shrubs Vines Fruit Berries Free Catalog
FEDCO SEEDS	www.fedcoseeds.com	PO Box 520 Waterville, ME 04903 (207)426-9900	Seeds Vegetables Herbs Flowers
GARDENS ALIVE!	www.gardensalive.com	5100 Schenley Place Lawrenceburg, IN 47025 (513)354-1482	Environmentally Responsible Lawn Care Soil Care Plant Care Insect Pest Control Animal Pest Control Disease Control Weed Control Free Catalog
GARDENER'S SUPPLY COMPANY	www.gardeners.com	128 Intervale Road Burlington, VT 05401 (800)876-5520	Gardening Supplies Free Catalog
GURNEYS SEED & NURSERY CO.	www.gurneys.com	P.O. Box 4178 Greendale, IN 47025 (513)354-1492	Seeds Vegetables Flowers Grass Sprouting Bulbs Plants Ground Covers Vines Shrubs Hedges Ornamental Grasses Trees Free Catalog
HARRIS SEEDS	www.harrisseeds.com	355 Paul Rd. P.O. Box 24966 Rochester, NY 14624 (800)544-7938	Seeds Plants Vegetables Flowers Fruits Gardening Supplies Free Catalog
HEIRLOOM SEEDS	www.heirloomseeds.com	278 E. Finley Dr West Finley, PA 15377 (724)663-5356	Open-pollinated Non-GMO Heirloom Seeds Vegetables Flowers Herbs Seed Starting Supplies On-line Orders Only
HENRY FIELD'S SEED & NURSERY CO.	www.henryfields.com	P.O. Box 397 Aurora, IN 47001 (513)354-1494	Seeds Vegetables Flowers Grass Sprouting Bulbs Plants Ground Covers Vines Shrubs Hedges Ornamental Grasses Trees Free Catalog
HIGH COUNTRY GARDENS	www.highcountrygardens.com	PO Box 22398 Santa Fe, NM 87502 (800)925-9387	Flowers Herbs Roses Shrubs Trees Bulbs Lawns Wild Flowers Xeric Free Catalog
JACKSON & PERKINS	www.jacksonandperkins.com	2 Floral Avenue Hodges, SC 29653 (800)292-4769	Roses Plants Vegetables Trees Ground Cover Garden Essentials Birding Free Catalog
JOHNNY’S SELECTED SEEDS	www.johnnyseeds.com	PO Box 299 Waterville, ME 04903 (877)564-6697	Seeds Vegetables Fruits Flowers Herbs Cover Crops Tools and Supplies Free Catalog
KITAZAWA SEED CO.	www.kitazawaseed.com	201 4th Street #206 Oakland, CA 94607 (510)595-1188	Seeds Asian Vegetables Free Catalog
LOGEE'S	www.logees.com	141 North St. Danielson, CT 06239 (888)330-8038	Fruiting Rare Tropical Plants Orchids Free Catalog
NATIVE AMERICAN SEED	www.seedsource.com	Junction, TX 76849 (800)728-4043	Native Seeds Wildflowers Grasses Free Catalog
NICHOLS GARDEN NURSERY	www.nicholsgardennursery.com	1190 Old Salem Rd NE Albany, OR 97321 (800)422-3985	Seeds Plants Vegetables Herbs Flowers Lawn Mixes Cover Crops Roots-Bulbs-Garlic Beer & Wine Making Cheese Making Free Catalog
PARK SEED CO.	www.parkseed.com	3507 Cokesbury Rd Hodges, SC 29653 (800)845-3369	Seeds Vegetables Herbs Flowers Herb Plants Fruit Plants Onion Sets Free Catalog
THE PEPPER GAL	www.peppergal.com	P.O. Box 23006 Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33307 (954)537-5540	Pepper Seeds
PINETREE GARDEN SEEDS	www.superseeds.com	P.O. Box 300 New Gloucester, ME 04260 (207)926-3400	Seeds Vegetables Bulbs Herbs Flowers Spices Teas Sprouting Tobacco Mushroom Kits Free Catalog
RONNIGER POTATO FARM	www.potatogarden.com	12101 2135 Rd Austin, CO 81410 (877)313-7783	Non-GMO Seed Potatoes Garlic Bulbs Free Catalog
THE SAMPLE SEED SHOP	www.sampleseeds.com	978 Riverview Blvd. Tonawanda, NY 14150 (716)871-1137	Seeds Vegetables Herbs Flowers Tomato
SEEDS OF CHANGE	www.seedsofchange.com	P.O. Box 4908 Rancho Dominguez, CA 90220 (888)762-7333	Certified Organic Seeds Vegetables Salads & Greens Herbs Flowers Cover Crops AppleTrees Asparagus Crowns Rhubarb Crowns Free Catalog
SEED SAVERS EXCHANGE	www.seedsavers.org	3094 North Winn Rd Decorah, IA 52101 (563)382-5990	Seeds Vegetables Herbs Flowers Tomato & Pepper Plants Seed Pototoes Free Catalog
THE SOUTHERN BULB CO.	www.southernbulbs.com	P.O. Box 350 Golden, TX 75444	Bulbs Flowers Heirloom
SOUTHERN EXPOSURE SEED EXCHANGE	www.southernexposure.com	P.O. Box 460 Mineral, VA 23117 (540)894-9480	Certified Organic Heirloom Seeds Vegetables Herbs Flowers Cotton Seed Pototoes Sweet Potatos Garlic & Onion Grains Cover Crops Free Catalog
STOKES SEEDS	www.stokeseeds.com	P.O. Box 548 Buffalo, NY 14240-0548 (800) 396-9238	Seeds Vegetables Herbs Flowers Free Catalog
SUSTAINABLE SEED CO.	www.sustainableseedco.com	P.O. Box 636 Petaluma, California 94952 877-620-7333	Seeds Non-GMO Heirloom Organic Vegetables Herbs Flowers Tobacco Cover Crops
TERRITORIAL SEEDS	www.territorialseed.com	P.O. Box 158 Cottage Grove, OR 97424 (800) 626-0866	Seeds & Plants Vegetables Herbs Flowers Sprouting Seed Potatoes Garlic and Shallot Bulbs Onion Sets Cover Crops Mushrooms Fruit & Berry Citrus Free Catalog
TERROIR SEEDS	www.underwoodgardens.com	P.O. Box 4995 Chino Valley, AZ 86323-7208 (888) 878-5247	Seeds Heirloom Vegetables Herbs Flowers
TY TY NURSERY	www.tytyga.com	P.O. Box 130 Ty Ty, GA 31795-0130 (888) 811-9132	Plants Berries Bamboo Shrubs Vines Trees Fruit Nut Palm Shade Bulbs Flowers
TOMATO GROWERS SUPPLY CO.	www.tomatogrowers.com	P.O. Box 60015 Fort Myers, FL 33906 (888) 478-7333	Plants Tomatoes Pepper Eggplant Free Catalog
URBAN FARMER	www.ufseeds.com	5427 N Delaware Street Indianapolis, IN. 46220 (317) 899-9801	Seeds Non-GMO Vegetables Herbs Flowers Plants Vegetables Free Catalog
VESEYS SEEDS	www.veseys.com	PO Box 9000 Calais, Maine 04619-6102 (800) 363-7333	Seeds Organic Vegetables Herbs Flowers Free Catalog
WILDFLOWER FARM	www.wildflowerfarm.com	10195 Hwy 12 West R.R. #2, Coldwater, Ontario Canada L0K 1E0 ( 866) 476-9453	Seeds Wildflowers Native Grasses
WILDSEED FARMS	www.wildseedfarms.com	100 Legacy Drive P.O. BOX 3000 Fredericksburg, TX 78624 (800) 848-0078	Seeds WIldflowers Native Grasses Herbs Free Catalog
WILLHITE SEED CO.	www.willhiteseed.com	P.O. Box 23 Poolville, TX 76487 (800) 828-1840	Seeds Vegetables Free Catalog
WOMACK NURSERY CO.	www.womacknursery.com	2551 State Hwy 6 De Leon, TX 76444-6333 (254) 893-6497	Trees Fruit Nut Plants Berries Grapes Roses

The post Seed Source Guide first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

I had seen that P. Allen Smith, garden and design expert as well as host of the PBS television show P. Allen Smith’s Garden Home, was going to be speaking at Calloway’s Nursery in Hurst, Texas. So I made the short drive and arrived early enough to have a look around, take some pictures, and unexpectedly partake in more than a few freshly baked cookies made with Allen’s Aunt Jamie’s recipe.

Soon the crowd began to take their seats for Allen’s presentation, so I grabbed a chair. Before the actual presentation, Allen wandered through the crowd just saying, “Hi,” and asking people how they were doing. He came across as just a regular, albeit very knowledgeable and very famous, guy who was genuinely glad to meet you.

The presentation started, and Allen talked about his horticultural background, design principles, concern for the environment, his beloved Garden Home Retreat, and his desire to make gardening easy yet rewarding for everyone. I loved his analogy of trying to create for the home gardener what the Garanimals clothing line has created for many youngsters. If you’re old enough to remember, that was where as long as you wore one of your shirts that had the giraffe label, and a pair of pants that also had a giraffe label, your Mom wouldn’t send you back to your room to change before the school bus arrived. Now that I think about it, I’ve got a couple friends who regularly wear a tiger shirt with a pair of aardvark pants; it makes for an interesting sight.

A little over an hour and a half of interactive demonstrations, amusing anecdotes, questions and answers, and just good gardening advice went by before the audience know it. Hey, I even won an autographed copy of P. Allen Smith’s Seasonal Recipes from the Garden cookbook. I’ll share some of Allen’s garden design ideas in future articles.

The post A Day at Calloway's Nursery first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

Get Started
As our thoughts also turn to spring, now is the time to take stock of our yards and make plans for our warm season garden. So grab a cold drink and find some shade, or huddle over a hot cup of cocoa and put on a warm sweater depending on what these unpredictable mornings hold, and let’s get started. By planning, and where appropriate planting now, your landscape and garden will be ready to flourish in the months to come.

Clean it Up
The best way to start getting your garden ready for spring is to clean it up. Remove any dead or spent plants from the garden and, if they are not diseased, add them to your compost pile. Pull any weeds that may have started to take hold. Once you’ve cleaned up, you will want to amend your soil by adding compost to garden beds and tilling it in. This will help replace nutrients taken up by the previous planting.

Draw a Plan
Grab a pencil and some paper and draw a diagram of your yard. You don’t need a degree in art or an expensive software program to draw a rough sketch of your landscape and garden plan. If you have the original survey from when you bought your house, make a copy of it and use that as a starting point. If not, just make a rough sketch of the footprint of your home. Draw in existing landscape features, and planned garden areas. Indicate which way is north and make note of any shady or poorly drained areas.

Plant What you Like
When planning what vegetables to plant, it’s easy to get carried away and want to grow everything under the sun. It’s always fun to try something new, but focus on growing what you really like. Make a list of the warm season vegetables for your area that your family likes and rank them from most to least liked. Plan on planting what you like. If no one in your family likes lima beans or squash, for example, then plan on planting more of what is most appealing.

Can, Store, or Eat
Once you know what you want to plant, decide what the intended use for each vegetable and herb will be. Do you plan on canning enough to last through the winter? Will you be freezing or dehydrating? Or, will you just eat and enjoy what you harvest this spring and summer. Different varieties of many vegetables are better suited to a specific purpose such as canning. Do your research.

Don’t Forget the Flowers
When planning your vegetable garden, it’s easy to overlook the importance of flowers. Look at your landscape as a whole and determine what native or locally adapted flowers are best suited to the different areas of your yard based on their color, size, water requirements, and the amount of sun needed. Flowers are an attractive, and highly effective way of drawing pollinators into the yard and garden.

Add New Beds
Now that you know what you will be planting and what your harvest will be used for, you can determine how much of each variety you should plant. Look at your existing bed space and any areas of your yard that you may want to convert to garden beds. For new beds, avoid low-lying, poorly drained areas. Clear the ground, till and amend the soil now. Better yet, try raised beds. They are a great way to avoid having to deal with the rock filled soil around here, and will maximize your harvest in the space available.

Order Seeds Now
As soon as you’ve determined which vegetables, what varieties, and how many of each you will be planting, go ahead and buy your seeds now. Be sure to check out our comprehensive Seed Source Guide 2015. This will ensure that you get exactly what you want and have them ready to plant when the time arrives; however, wait until just before planting to purchase transplants.

Know When to Plant
One of the most important factors in having a successful home garden is planting each vegetable at just the right time. Check with your local AgriLife Extension Service or our How Do Gardener Planting Guides.

The post Plan your spring garden first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

NAME	WEBSITE	CONTACT	NOTES
ANNIE'S ANNUALS & PERENNIALS	www.anniesannuals.com	740 Market Ave Richmond, CA 94801 (888)266-4370	Seeds Bulbs Flowers Foliage Grass Herbs Poppies Sedges Shrubs South African Bulbs Succulents Sunflowers Trees Vegetables Vines Water Plants Free Catalog
BAKER CREEK HEIRLOOM SEEDS	www.rareseeds.com	2278 Baker Creek Rd Mansfield, MO 65704 (417)924-8917	Open-pollinated Non-GMO Heirloom Seeds Vegetables Flowers Wild Flowers Herbs Free Catalog
BBB SEED	www.bbbseed.com	6595 Odell Place, Unit G Boulder, CO 80301 (303)530-1222	Open-pollinated Non-GMO Heirloom Seeds Vegetables Flowers Wild Flowers Native Grasses Cover Crops Free Catalog
BLUESTONE PERENNIALS	www.bluestoneperennials.com	7211 Middle Ridge Rd Madison, OH 44057 (800)852-5243	Plants Perennial Flowers Ferns Vines Grasses Ground Covers Free Catalog
BOTANICAL INTERESTS	www.botanicalinterests.com	660 Compton Street Broomfield, CO 80020 (877)821-4340	Seeds Vegetables Herbs Flowers Organic
BOUNTIFUL GARDENS	www.bountifulgardens.org	1712-D South Main St Willits CA 95490 (707)459-6410	Open-pollinated Non-GMO Heirloom Seeds Vegetables Herbs Flowers Grains Green Manures Compost Carbon Crops
BRENT AND BECKYS BULBS	www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com	7900 Daffodil Lane Gloucester, VA 23061 (877)661-2852	Flower Bulbs Free Catalog
BURNT RIDGE NURSERY & ORCHARDS	www.burntridgenursery.com	432 Burnt Ridge Road Onalaska, WA 98570 (360)985-2873	Fruiting Plants Nut Trees Ornamental Trees Northwest US Natives Free Catalog
BURPEE	www.burpee.com	300 Park Ave Warminster, PA 18974 (800)888-1447	Seeds & Plants Vegetables Flowers Perennials Herbs Heirlooms Fruit Plants Free Catalog
THE COOK’S GARDEN	www.cooksgarden.com	P. O. Box C5030 Warminster, PA 18974 (800)457-9703	Seeds & Plants Vegetables Herbs Flowers Fruits Free Catalog
DIXONDALE FARMS	www.dixondalefarms.com	P.O. Box 129 Department WP12 Carrizo Springs, TX 78834 (877)367-1015	Plants Onions Leeks Free Catalog
DOLLAR SEED	dollarseed.com	Website	Non-GMO Seeds Vegetables Herbs Organic Sprouting Flowers Seeds for $1.00 Free Catalog
DUTCH GARDENS	www.dutchgardens.com	4 Currency Dr P.O. Box 2999 Bloomington, IL 61702 (800)944-2250	Bulbs Flowers Plants Roses Shrubs Vines Fruit Berries Free Catalog
FEDCO SEEDS	www.fedcoseeds.com	P.O. Box 520 Waterville, ME 04903 (207)426-9900	Seeds Vegetables Herbs Flowers
GARDENS ALIVE!	www.gardensalive.com	5100 Schenley Place Lawrenceburg, IN 47025 (513)354-1482	Environmentally Responsible Lawn Care Soil Care Plant Care Insect Pest Control Animal Pest Control Disease Control Weed Control Free Catalog
GARDENER'S SUPPLY COMPANY	www.gardeners.com	128 Intervale Rd Burlington, VT 05401 (800)876-5520	Gardening Supplies Free Catalog
GURNEYS SEED & NURSERY CO.	www.gurneys.com	P.O. Box 4178 Greendale, IN 47025 (513)354-1492	Seeds Vegetables Flowers Grass Sprouting Bulbs Plants Ground Covers Vines Shrubs Hedges Ornamental Grasses Trees Free Catalog
HARRIS SEEDS	www.harrisseeds.com	355 Paul Rd P.O. Box 24966 Rochester, NY 14624 (800)544-7938	Seeds & Plants Vegetables Flowers Fruits Gardening Supplies Free Catalog
HEIRLOOM SEEDS	www.heirloomseeds.com	278 E. Finley Dr West Finley, PA 15377 (724)663-5356	Open-pollinated Non-GMO Heirloom Seeds Vegetables Flowers Herbs Seed Starting Supplies On-line Orders Only
HENRY FIELD'S SEED & NURSERY CO.	www.henryfields.com	P.O. Box 397 Aurora, IN 47001 (513)354-1494	Seeds Vegetables Flowers Grass Sprouting Bulbs Plants Ground Covers Vines Shrubs Hedges Ornamental Grasses Trees Free Catalog
HIGH COUNTRY GARDENS	www.highcountrygardens.com	P.O. Box 22398 Santa Fe, NM 87502 (800)925-9387	Flowers Herbs Roses Shrubs Trees Bulbs Lawns Wild Flowers Xeric Free Catalog
JACKSON & PERKINS	www.jacksonandperkins.com	2 Floral Ave Hodges, SC 29653 (800)292-4769	Roses Plants Vegetables Trees Ground Cover Garden Essentials Birding Free Catalog
JOHNNY’S SELECTED SEEDS	www.johnnyseeds.com	P.O. Box 299 Waterville, ME 04903 (877)564-6697	Seeds Vegetables Fruits Flowers Herbs Cover Crops Tools and Supplies Free Catalog
KITAZAWA SEED CO.	www.kitazawaseed.com	201 4th St #206 Oakland, CA 94607 (510)595-1188	Seeds Asian Vegetables Free Catalog
LOGEE'S	www.logees.com	141 North St Danielson, CT 06239 (888)330-8038	Fruiting Rare Tropical Plants Orchids Free Catalog
NATIVE AMERICAN SEED	www.seedsource.com	Junction, TX 76849 (800)728-4043	Native Seeds Wildflowers Grasses Free Catalog
NICHOLS GARDEN NURSERY	www.nicholsgardennursery.com	1190 Old Salem Rd NE Albany, OR 97321 (800)422-3985	Seeds & Plants Vegetables Herbs Flowers Lawn Mixes Cover Crops Roots-Bulbs-Garlic Beer & Wine Making Cheese Making Free Catalog
PARK SEED CO.	www.parkseed.com	3507 Cokesbury Rd Hodges, SC 29653 (800)845-3369	Seeds Vegetables Herbs Flowers Herb Plants Fruit Plants Onion Sets Free Catalog
THE PEPPER GAL	www.peppergal.com	P.O. Box 23006 Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33307 (954)537-5540	Pepper Seeds
PINETREE GARDEN SEEDS	www.superseeds.com	P.O. Box 300 New Gloucester, ME 04260 (207)926-3400	Seeds Vegetables Bulbs Herbs Flowers Spices Teas Sprouting Tobacco Mushroom Kits Free Catalog
POTATO GARDEN	www.potatogarden.com	12101 2135 Rd Austin, CO 81410 (877)313-7783	Non-GMO Seed Potatoes Garlic Bulbs Free Catalog
THE SAMPLE SEED SHOP	www.sampleseeds.com	978 Riverview Blvd Tonawanda, NY 14150 (716)871-1137	Seeds Vegetables Herbs Flowers Tomato
SEEDS OF CHANGE	www.seedsofchange.com	P.O. Box 4908 Rancho Dominguez, CA 90220 (888)762-7333	Certified Organic Seeds Vegetables Salads & Greens Herbs Flowers Cover Crops AppleTrees Asparagus Crowns Rhubarb Crowns Free Catalog
SEED SAVERS EXCHANGE	www.seedsavers.org	3094 North Winn Rd Decorah, IA 52101 (563)382-5990	Seeds Vegetables Herbs Flowers Tomato & Pepper Plants Seed Pototoes Free Catalog
THE SOUTHERN BULB CO.	www.southernbulbs.com	P.O. Box 350 Golden, TX 75444 (888)285-2486	Bulbs Flower Heirloom
SOUTHERN EXPOSURE SEED EXCHANGE	www.southernexposure.com	P.O. Box 460 Mineral, VA 23117 (540)894-9480	Certified Organic Heirloom Seeds Vegetables Herbs Flowers Cotton Seed Pototoes Sweet Potato Slips Garlic and Onion Bulbs Grains Cover Crops Free Catalog
STOKES SEEDS	www.stokeseeds.com	P.O. Box 548 Buffalo, NY 14240 (800)396-9238	Seeds Vegetables Herbs Flowers Free Catalog
SUSTAINABLE SEED CO.	www.sustainableseedco.com	P.O. Box 38 Covelo CA, 95428 (877)620-7333	Seeds Non-GMO Heirloom Organic Vegetables Herbs Flowers Heritage Grains Tobacco Cover Crops
TERRITORIAL SEEDS	www.territorialseed.com	P.O. Box 158 Cottage Grove, OR 97424 (800)626-0866	Seeds & Plants Vegetables Herbs Flowers Sprouting Seed Potatoes Garlic and Shallot Bulbs Onion Sets Cover Crops Mushrooms Fruit & Berry Citrus Free Catalog
TERROIR SEEDS	www.underwoodgardens.com	P.O. Box 4995 Chino Valley, AZ 86323 (888)878-5247	Seeds Heirloom Vegetables Herbs Flowers
TY TY NURSERY	www.tytyga.com	P.O. Box 130 Ty Ty, GA 31795 (888)758-2252	Plants Berries Bamboo Shrubs Vines Trees Fruit Nut Palm Shade Bulbs Flowers
TOMATO GROWERS SUPPLY CO.	www.tomatogrowers.com	P.O. Box 60015 Fort Myers, FL 33906 (888)478-7333	Plants Tomatoes Pepper Tomatillos Eggplant Free Catalog
URBAN FARMER	www.ufseeds.com	4105 W State Rd 32 Westfield, IN 46074 (317)600-2807	Seeds Non-GMO Vegetables Herbs Flowers Plants Organic Sprouts Cover Crops Free Catalog
VESEYS SEEDS	www.veseys.com	P.O. Box 9000 Charlottetown, PE, Canada, C1A 8K6 (800)363-7333	Seeds Organic Vegetables Herbs Flowers Bulbs Free Catalog
WAYSIDE GARDENS	www.waysidegardens.com	One Garden Lane Hodges, SC 29653 (800)845-1124	Flowers Roses Trees Shrubs Vines Bulbs Fruit Free Catalog
WILDFLOWER FARM	www.wildflowerfarm.com	10195 Hwy 12 West R.R. #2, Coldwater, Ontario Canada L0K 1E0 ( 866)476-9453	Seeds Wildflowers Native Grasses Eco-Lawn
WILDSEED FARMS	www.wildseedfarms.com	100 Legacy Dr P.O. BOX 3000 Fredericksburg, TX 78624 (800)848-0078	Seeds WIldflowers Native Grasses Herbs Free Catalog
WILLHITE SEED CO.	www.willhiteseed.com	P.O. Box 23 Poolville, TX 76487 (800)828-1840	Seeds Vegetables Sweet Potato Plants Free Catalog
WOMACK NURSERY CO.	www.womacknursery.com	2551 State Hwy 6 De Leon, TX 76444 (855)993-6497	Trees Fruit Nut Plants Berries Grapes Roses

The post 2015 Seed Source Guide first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

Robert Irvine, Food Network celebrity chef and Transitions adaptive lenses wearer, understands just how critical it is to include eye healthy foods as part of your diet. The right foods can help you maintain healthy, enhanced vision and see your best no matter if you’re in the kitchen or outside on your patio.

“Whether I’m cooking on the set or at home with my family, I always try to prepare dishes using the freshest and most colorful ingredients in season,” Irvine says. “And because the ability to see clearly and comfortably is so important to my life, both professionally and personally, I also make sure to include eye healthy ingredients – so everyone can see their best to enjoy the sights of the season.”

Nearly 90 percent of consumers agree that the visual presentation of their food is important, according to a recent survey by Transitions Optical. And because some of the most colorful, vibrant foods such as tomatoes, spinach, sweet potatoes, carrots and berries contain eye healthy nutrients such as carotenoids, antioxidants, and vitamins A, C and E, summer is the perfect time to start incorporating these seasonal fruits and vegetables into your favorite meals.

“Diet, fitness and overall health are the foundation of my lifestyle,” says Irvine. “For me, that also means getting regular eye exams and wearing proper eyewear so that my eyes are comfortable and my vision is enhanced.”

Fifty percent of vision problems are preventable through early detection and follow-up care – which is why it’s never too early or too late to start taking care of your eyes.

Chef Irvine invites you to try his eye healthy tomato caprese recipe. To learn more about how vision impacts Chef Irvine’s life and which Transitions adaptive lenses are right for you, visit www.transitions.com.

Home Garden Tomato Caprese

Time: 25 minutes

Yields: 4 servings

Dressing ingredients:

Balsamic Reduction

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

Salad ingredients:

4 large tomatoes, sliced

1 pound fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced

1/2 bunch of fresh grown basil

2 cups baby arugula

Juice from half a lemon

1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 teaspoons balsamic reduction (see below)

1 dash sea salt

1 dash fresh ground pepper

Directions:

For the balsamic reduction, reduce 1/2 cup of balsamic vinegar in a small pot on low heat until vinegar is reduced by two-thirds. Set aside and allow to cool to room temperature.

On a large platter, place the sliced tomatoes, sliced fresh mozzarella and basil sprigs. Toss the arugula with the lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil in a mixing bowl. Arrange the salad in the center of the platter. Drizzle the tomatoes and mozzarella with the rest of the olive oil and balsamic reduction. Garnish with sea salt and fresh ground pepper.

The post Great-looking, flavorful veggies are also good for your eyes first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

A little of this, a little of that
Spring begins officially on March 20, 2014. The time of the year where every garden is destined for abundance and beauty. When the thrill of planting is almost a reality, and the long hot days of summer weeding, drought, and pests is still a distant bad memory repressed in the deepest regions of our gardening minds. During the past few weeks, there have times when on a given day it was snowing in 48 of the 50 states, and times when many parts of the country were experiencing unseasonably warm temperatures. The kind that made one want to throw on some shorts, grab a trough, and start planting.

Get Started
So, as at least our thoughts start to turn to spring, now is the time to take stock of our yards and make plans for our warm season garden. So grab a cold drink and find some shade, or huddle over a hot cup of cocoa and put on a warm sweater depending on what these unpredictable mornings hold, and let’s get started. By planning, and where appropriate planting now, your landscape and garden will be ready to flourish in the months to come.

Clean it Up
The best way to start getting your garden ready for spring is to clean it up. Remove any dead or spent plants from the garden and, if they are not diseased, add them to your compost pile. Pull any weeds that may have started to take hold. Once you’ve cleaned up, you will want to amend your soil by adding compost to garden beds and tilling it in. This will help replace nutrients taken up by the previous planting.

Draw a Plan
Grab a pencil and some paper and draw a diagram of your yard. You don’t need a degree in art or an expensive software program to draw a rough sketch of your landscape and garden plan. If you have the original survey from when you bought your house, make a copy of it and use that as a starting point. If not, just make a rough sketch of the footprint of your home. Draw in existing landscape features, and planned garden areas. Indicate which way is north and make note of any shady or poorly drained areas.

Plant What you Like
When planning what vegetables to plant, it’s easy to get carried away and want to grow everything under the sun. It’s always fun to try something new, but focus on growing what you really like. Make a list of the warm season vegetables for your area that your family likes and rank them from most to least liked. Plan on planting what you like. If no one in your family likes lima beans or squash, for example, then plan on planting more of what is most appealing.

Can, Store, or Eat
Once you know what you want to plant, decide what the intended use for each vegetable and herb will be. Do you plan on canning enough to last through the winter? Will you be freezing or dehydrating? Or, will you just eat and enjoy what you harvest this spring and summer. Different varieties of many vegetables are better suited to a specific purpose such as canning. Do your research.

Don’t Forget the Flowers
When planning your vegetable garden, it’s easy to overlook the importance of flowers. Look at your landscape as a whole and determine what native or locally adapted flowers are best suited to the different areas of your yard based on their color, size, water requirements, and the amount of sun needed. Flowers are an attractive, and highly effective way of drawing pollinators into the yard and garden.

Add New Beds
Now that you know what you will be planting and what your harvest will be used for, you can determine how much of each variety you should plant. Look at your existing bed space and any areas of your yard that you may want to convert to garden beds. For new beds, avoid low-lying, poorly drained areas. Clear the ground, till and amend the soil now. Better yet, try raised beds. They are a great way to avoid having to deal with the rock filled soil around here, and will maximize your harvest in the space available.

Order Seeds Now
As soon as you’ve determined which vegetables, what varieties, and how many of each you will be planting, go ahead and buy your seeds now. This will ensure that you get exactly what you want and have them ready to plant when the time arrives; however, wait until just before planting to purchase transplants. Be sure to check out the comprehensive How Do Gardener Seed Source Guide.

Know When to Plant
One of the most important factors in having a successful home garden is planting each vegetable at just the right time. Here in Central Texas, The Williamson County Texas AgriLife Extension Service recommends the following:

[ Spring Planting Dates for Central Texas ]

– Asparagus: After February 1
– Beans, snap bush: March 5 – May 1
– Beans, snap pole: March 5 – April 15
– Beans, Lima bush: March 15 – April 15
– Beans, Lima pole: March 15- April 15
– Chard, Swiss: February 1 – March 10
– Collards: February 1 – March 25
– Corn: February 25 – May 1
– Cucumbers: March 5 – May 1
– Eggplant: March 15 – May 1
– Lettuce: February 1 – March 15
– Cantaloupe: March 15 – May 1
– Mustard: February 1 – April 1
– Peas, southern: March 25 – May 20
– Peppers (transplant): March 15 – May 1
– Potato, sweet (slips): April 10 – May 15
– Pumpkin: April 1 – April 20
– Radish: February 1 – May 1
– Squash, summer: March 5 – May 1
– Tomato (transplant): March 15 – April 10
– Turnip: February 1 – March 10
– Watermelon: March 15 – May 1

– Note: The planting dates for your geographic area will vary –

To find the appropriate spring planting dates for your specific area, check with your local Cooperative Extension Agency, or refer to our Planting Guides for Fruits and Vegetables on the top menu.

Don’t Lose Track of Today
Well, there you have it. It may seem like a lot of work, and it probably is, but if you haven’t already done so, now is the time to start getting ready for your spring garden. Sometimes it’s easy to become overwhelmed by everything that will need to be done in the garden this time of the year, but remember to enjoy each day on its own merit. So don’t let the anticipation, or dread, of your spring garden, and the promise of warmer temperatures yet to come, distract you from today. Remember, “To everything there is a season.”

The post Spring is in the air? Your complete garden planning guide first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

Signs of Spring
When I looked out the window this morning, I was delighted to see the first peach blossoms just starting to bloom. My fall vegetable garden is reluctantly offering up its last harvests of the season. The gentle rain of falling oak leaves is just beginning to hit the ground and offers a foreshadowing of the fluttering brown deluge yet to come. Of course what once was my front lawn, before our record heat and drought last summer, has been vigorously sprouting strange, green, alien intruders that seem to mock the last dry brown remnants of St. Augustine grass.

Get Started
As our thoughts also turn to spring, now is the time to take stock of our yards and make plans for our warm season garden. So grab a cold drink and find some shade, or huddle over a hot cup of cocoa and put on a warm sweater depending on what these unpredictable mornings hold, and let’s get started. By planning, and where appropriate planting now, your landscape and garden will be ready to flourish in the months to come.

Clean it Up
The best way to start getting your garden ready for spring is to clean it up. Remove any dead or spent plants from the garden and, if they are not diseased, add them to your compost pile. Pull any weeds that may have started to take hold. Once you’ve cleaned up, you will want to amend your soil by adding compost to garden beds and tilling it in. This will help replace nutrients taken up by the previous planting.

Draw a Plan
Grab a pencil and some paper and draw a diagram of your yard. You don’t need a degree in art or an expensive software program to draw a rough sketch of your landscape and garden plan. If you have the original survey from when you bought your house, make a copy of it and use that as a starting point. If not, just make a rough sketch of the footprint of your home. Draw in existing landscape features, and planned garden areas. Indicate which way is north and make note of any shady or poorly drained areas.

Plant What you Like
When planning what vegetables to plant, it’s easy to get carried away and want to grow everything under the sun. It’s always fun to try something new, but focus on growing what you really like. Make a list of the warm season vegetables for your area that your family likes and rank them from most to least liked. Plan on planting what you like. If no one in your family likes lima beans or squash, for example, then plan on planting more of what is most appealing.

Can, Store, or Eat
Once you know what you want to plant, decide what the intended use for each vegetable and herb will be. Do you plan on canning enough to last through the winter? Will you be freezing or dehydrating? Or, will you just eat and enjoy what you harvest this spring and summer. Different varieties of many vegetables are better suited to a specific purpose such as canning. Do your research.

Don’t Forget the Flowers
When planning your vegetable garden, it’s easy to overlook the importance of flowers. Look at your landscape as a whole and determine what native or locally adapted flowers are best suited to the different areas of your yard based on their color, size, water requirements, and the amount of sun needed. Flowers are an attractive, and highly effective way of drawing pollinators into the yard and garden.

Add New Beds
Now that you know what you will be planting and what your harvest will be used for, you can determine how much of each variety you should plant. Look at your existing bed space and any areas of your yard that you may want to convert to garden beds. For new beds, avoid low-lying, poorly drained areas. Clear the ground, till and amend the soil now. Better yet, try raised beds. They are a great way to avoid having to deal with the rock filled soil around here, and will maximize your harvest in the space available.

Order Seeds Now
As soon as you’ve determined which vegetables, what varieties, and how many of each you will be planting, go ahead and buy your seeds now. This will ensure that you get exactly what you want and have them ready to plant when the time arrives; however, wait until just before planting to purchase transplants.

Know When to Plant
One of the most important factors in having a successful home garden is planting each vegetable at just the right time. The Williamson County Texas AgriLife Extension Service recommends the following:

[ Spring Planting Dates for Central Texas ]

– Asparagus: After February 1
– Beans, snap bush: March 5 – May 1
– Beans, snap pole: March 5 – April 15
– Beans, Lima bush: March 15 – April 15
– Beans, Lima pole: March 15- April 15
– Chard, Swiss: February 1 – March 10
– Collards: February 1 – March 25
– Corn: February 25 – May 1
– Cucumbers: March 5 – May 1
– Eggplant: March 15 – May 1
– Lettuce: February 1 – March 15
– Cantaloupe: March 15 – May 1
– Mustard: February 1 – April 1
– Peas, southern: March 25 – May 20
– Peppers (transplant): March 15 – May 1
– Potato, sweet (slips): April 10 – May 15
– Pumpkin: April 1 – April 20
– Radish: February 1 – May 1
– Squash, summer: March 5 – May 1
– Tomato (transplant): March 15 – April 10
– Turnip: February 1 – March 10
– Watermelon: March 15 – May 1

– Note: The planting dates for your geographic area will vary –

To find the appropriate spring planting dates for your specific area, check with your local Cooperative Extension Agency, or refer to our Planting Guides for Fruits and Vegetables on the top menu.

Don’t Lose Track of Today
Well, there you have it. It may seem like a lot of work, and it probably is, but if you haven’t already done so, now is the time to start getting ready for your spring garden. Sometimes it’s easy to become overwhelmed by everything that needs to be done in the garden this time of the year, but remember to enjoy each day on its own merit. These pleasant spring days working in the yard will soon give way to hot summer days of weeding, harvesting, and canning. So don’t let the anticipation, or dread, of your spring garden, and the promise of warmer temperatures yet to come, distract you from today. Remember, “To everything there is a season.”

The post Now is the Time to Plan Your Spring Garden first appeared on The How Do Gardener.