2012 Vegetable Planting Times

Considerations:

Adjust planting times based on area. Adjust planting times based on area. Planting dates are approximate, and can be adjusted based on the location within the state. For northern areas, dates can be up to two weeks later than suggested. In the south, they can be up to two weeks earlier.

Picking Your Plants:

Long-season heat lovers such as tomatoes and cucumbers are not an option for a fall vegetable garden, but many other varieties are. Spring greens such as lettuce and spinach that bolted and set seed in the heat of early summer can be sown to sprout in the warmth of late summer and reach maturity in the cool of early fall. Early fast-growing root crops such as turnips, radishes and beets that already have been harvested and eaten can be sown again for a second crop. Cool-loving transplants such as broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts will taste even sweeter after a kiss of frost.

Planting:

Seed germination can be a little tricky in a fall garden. Heavy soils can form a crust in the heat of late summer, which can hinder sprouting. Keep soil moist. The seeds of peas, lettuce and spinach are reluctant to germinate if temperatures remain above 85 degrees F. A temporary shade cloth and a light mulch of compost or vermiculite will help, or start the seeds inside the cool house and plant outside later. It also helps to plant seeds slightly deeper than recommended on the seed packet, because the soil is cooler.