The first day of Spring is already next week... can you believe it?! I'm sure I don't speak for myself when I say I'm already day dreaming of sunshine and outdoor fun. One of the things I'm looking forward to most is digging in the garden. Surprisingly enough, there's some fruits and vegetables that are already in season! Here's what is in season in our area, according to the Farmer's Almanac:
30% probability of frost free after April 23 (at PITTSBURGH ALLEGHENY CO AP, PA climate station).
| Crop | Based on Frost Dates Based on Moon Dates |
|---|
| Start Seeds Indoors | Transplant Seedlings | Start Seeds Outdoors |
|---|
| Beans |
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| Apr 30-May 21 May 4-18 |
|---|
| Beets |
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| Apr 9-30 Apr 20-30 |
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| Broccoli | Mar 12-26 Mar 12-20 | Apr 2-23 Apr 5-19 |
|
|---|
| Brussels Sprouts | Mar 12-26 Mar 12-20 | Mar 26-Apr 16 Apr 5-16 |
|
|---|
| Cabbage | Feb 25-Mar 12 Mar 6-12 | Mar 26-Apr 9 Apr 5- 9 |
|
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| Cantaloupe | Mar 26-Apr 2 | May 7-28 May 7-18 |
|
|---|
| Carrots |
|
| Mar 19-Apr 2 Mar 21-Apr 2 |
|---|
| Cauliflower | Mar 12-26 Mar 12-20 | Mar 26-Apr 9 Apr 5- 9 |
|
|---|
| Celery | Feb 11-25 Feb 11-19 | Apr 30-May 14 May 4-14 |
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|---|
| Collards | Mar 12-26 Mar 12-20 | Mar 26-Apr 16 Apr 5-16 |
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|---|
| Corn |
|
| Apr 23-May 7 May 4- 7 |
|---|
| Cucumbers | Mar 26-Apr 2 | May 7-28 May 7-18 |
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|---|
| Eggplants | Feb 11-25 Feb 11-19 | May 7-28 May 7-18 |
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|---|
| Kale | Mar 12-26 Mar 12-20 | Mar 26-Apr 16 Apr 5-16 |
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|---|
| Kohlrabi |
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| Mar 26-Apr 16 Apr 5-16 |
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| Leeks | Feb 11-25 Feb 11-19 | Mar 26-Apr 16 Apr 5-16 |
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| Lettuce | Mar 12-26 Mar 12-20 | Apr 9-May 7 Apr 9-19, May 4- 7 |
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| Okra |
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| May 7-21 May 7-18 |
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| Onions |
|
| Mar 26-Apr 16 Mar 26-Apr 4 |
|---|
| Parsnips |
|
| Apr 2-23 Apr 2- 4, Apr 20-23 |
|---|
| Peas |
|
| Mar 12-Apr 2 Mar 12-20 |
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| Peppers | Feb 11-25 Feb 11-19 | May 7-28 May 7-18 |
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|---|
| Potatoes |
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| Apr 16-May 7 Apr 20-May 3 |
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| Pumpkins | Mar 26-Apr 9 Apr 5- 9 | May 7-28 May 7-18 |
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|---|
| Radishes |
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| Feb 25-Mar 19 Feb 25-Mar 5 |
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| Spinach |
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| Mar 12-Apr 2 Mar 12-20 |
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| Squash | Mar 26-Apr 9 Apr 5- 9 | May 7-28 May 7-18 |
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| Sweet Potatoes | Mar 26-Apr 2 Mar 26-Apr 2 | May 7-28 May 19-28 |
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|---|
| Swiss Chard | Mar 12-26 Mar 12-20 | Apr 2- 9 Apr 5- 9 |
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| Tomatoes | Feb 25-Mar 12 Mar 6-12 | Apr 30-May 21 May 4-18 |
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|---|
| Turnips |
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| Mar 26-Apr 16 Mar 26-Apr 4 |
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| Watermelons | Mar 26-Apr 2 | May 7-28 May 7-18 |
|---|
Are you still learning how to use Planting Calendars like the one above? Honestly, I had no idea this even existed until I got online and started researching. On their website, almanac.com, they give some pretty useful pointers to help us get started! :)
HOW TO USE THE PLANTING CALENDAR
Simply put, a planting calendar is a guide that tells you the best time to start planting your garden. Most planting calendars are based on frost dates, which dictate when you should start seeds and when it's safe to plant outdoors in your area. Our planting calendar is customized to your location in order to give you the most accurate information possible. On the planting calendar below, please note:
- The Frost Dates indicate the best planting dates based on your local average frost dates. Average frost dates are based on historical weather data and are the planting guideline used by most gardeners.
- The Moon Dates indicate the best planting dates based on your local frost dates and Moon phases. Planting by the Moon is considered a more traditional technique.
- The Transplant Seedlings dates indicate the best time to plant young plants outdoors. This includes plants grown from seed at home and plants bought from a nursery. Although frost dates are a good way to know approximately when to start gardening, always check a local forecast before planting outdoors!
- When no dates appear in the chart, that starting method is not recommended for that particular plant. Some crops do best when started outdoors rather than indoors, while others prefer the opposite.
- Click on the name of a plant to see our corresponding Growing Guide.
To plan your garden more accurately in the future, keep a record of your garden's conditions each year, including frost dates and seed-starting dates!