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When should you plant vegetables?
Overall, the best time to plant vegetables is between April and November.
This broad growing season is divided into two seasonsspring and fallfor different crops.
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We spoke to three gardening specialists so you’re able to learn when to plant vegetables.
The other best time for planting vegetables is fall.
Want more gardening tips?
Spring
Though spring is the best time to plant, each crop is different, Dysinger says.
The best time to plant vegetables is spring, agrees Chrissie Handley of Online Turf.
This gives the vegetables enough time to germinate in the soil before the growing season begins.
The crops can continue producing until the first frost in October or November.
For fall plantings in most locations in the U.S.,carrots can be plantedfrom July to September.
“For a fall crop, carrots can stay in the ground until it freezes,” Ramos says.
Corn
Springcorn can be plantedfrom March to June, according Dysinger.
However, in southern U.S. states without risk of frost, corn can be planted from October to March.
For latecorn harvests, corn can be planted from June to August, says Dysinger.
“Cucumbers should be plantedin late May to early June and harvested throughout summer,” Ramos says.
Lettuce
Lettuce should be plantedfrom March to May for a strong yield, according to Handley.
Peas
Being a hardy vegetable,peas can be plantedoutdoors from March to April.
If you like, you canstart peas in a containerto get a head start on growing.
Potatoes
Plant potatoes from late February to April.
However, if you are located in a warm area,plant potatoesin late summer or early winter.
That way, the potatoes won’t be fighting the hottest time of the yearmid-summer.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes should be started indoorsin late March or early April, according to Ramos.
Ramos adds that this late harvestOctoberdepends on your local frost conditions.
Planting Before the Best Time
Can you plant vegetables before their opportune planting time?
Once you could see them sprouting, you could then move them outside.
“This method is great for sensitive vegetables like tomatoes or peppers,” Handley says.
Planting After the Best Time
Is it too late to start a garden?
you’ve got the option to often still plant vegetables after the ideal time has passed.
The vegetable harvest may not be as bountiful, though.
Even though spring is generally the time to plant vegetables, remember that fall is a second growing season.
Vegetables planted in spring are harvested in summer, while fall vegetables are harvested from October to December.
