When Would Be The Best Time To Begin Planting My…
BeLinda Asked
When would be the best time to begin planting my vegetable garden?
The Gardener’s Answer
Hello, BeLinda in Kentucky: Like all plants, vegetables, greens, and herbs require specific growing conditions, and here in Kentucky we divide our growing season into two different categories: cool-season and warm-season crops. Cool-season crops are those that can tolerate cooler temperatures and even a little frost. In early March, we can begin planting all greens, including spinach, kale, and lettuce as well as peas and green onions. Later in March, we can plant broccoli, carrots, potatoes, and onions. The warm-season crops can be planted after the frost-free date for your area passes, usually around May 10. Warm-season crops include tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumber, eggplant, corn, and herbs, just to name a few. Now is a good time to start these warm-season vegetables indoors if you want to plant them from seed. Otherwise, you can plant directly into the garden later in the summer. The cool-season crops can be planted again in the fall. I am not sure exactly how much space you have or what you would like to grow in your garden, but for more detailed information on all aspects of vegetable gardening in Kentucky you can visit www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/id/id128/id128.pdf. This is a link to a publication provided by our Extension service in collaboration with land grant universities. It has specific information on all aspects of vegetable gardening, from preparing a vegetable garden to crop rotation and guidelines of when to plant specific crops.
