Planting/ Harvesting Details

Common Name, Species

Germination time, days

Germination, %

Seed longevity (years)

Root depth and type

Spacing between mature plant centers

VEGETABLE

Asparagus: Asparagus officinalis

x

x

x

MS

2' – 4'

Beans, bush: Phaseolus vulgaris

6 – 14

90

1

DF

2" - 3"

Beans, pole: Phaseolus vulgaris

6 – 14

90

1

DF

4" - 6"

Beets: Beta vulgaris

7 – 10

70

4

DT

4" - 6"

Broccoli: Brassica oleracea, var. italica

3 – 10

80

4

ST

10" - 12"

Brussels sprouts: Brassica oleracea, var. gemmifera

3 – 10

70

4

ST

12" - 16"

Cabbage: Brassica oleracea, var. capitata

4 - 10

80

4

SF

12" - 16"

Cantaloupe: Cucumis melo

4 - 8

70

5

ST

Mounds, 8'

Carrots: Daucus carota, var. sativa

10 - 17

55

4

ST

1" - 4" (per size)

Cauliflower: Brassica oleracea, var. botrytus

4 - 10

80

4

ST

10" - 12"

Celery: Apium graveolens

9 - 21

50

6

MT

10" - 12"

Chicory: Cichorium intybus

5 - 12

80

8

MT

Thin to 6" - 8"

Chives: Allium schoenoprasum

X

X

X

SF

2"

Collards: Brassica oleracea, var. acephala

4 - 10

80

4

MT

Thin to 5"

 

Common Name, Species

Germination time, days

Germination, %

Seed longevity (years)

Root depth and type

Spacing between mature plant centers

VEGETABLE

Corn: Zea mays, var. saccharata

6 - 10

80

2

MF

12" - 18"

Cress: Nasturtium officinale

4 - 10

80

3

ST

1/2"

Cucumber: Cucumis sativus

6 - 10

80

7

SF

Mounds, 4'

Eggplant: Solanum melon-gena

7 - 14

60

6

MF

8" - 10"

Garlic: Allium sativum

6 -10

 

2

SF

4"

Kale: Brassica oleracea, var. acephala

3 - 10

80

4

MT

Thin to 12"

Kohlrabi: Brassica cau-lorapa

3 - 10

80

4

ST

6" - 8"

Leeks: Allium porrum

7 - 12

60

4

SF

5"

Lettuce, Bibb: Lactuca sativa, var. capitata

4 -10

85

4

SF

6"

Lettuce, Rodin: L. sativa

4 - 10

85

4

SF

7"

Lettuce, French all-season: L. sativa

4 - 10

85

4

SF

8"

Lettuce, cos: L. sativa

4 - 10

85

4

SF

6"

Mustard (greens): Bras-sica alba

4 - 10

80

3

ST

Thin to 6"

Onions: Allium cepa

X

X

X

SF

4" - 6"

 

Common Name, Species

Germination time, days

Germination, %

Seed longevity (years)

Root depth and type

Spacing between mature plant centers

VEGETABLE

Parsley: Petroselinum

14 - 28

50

1

MT

Thin to 5"

Parsnips: Pastinaca sativa

14 - 28

50

1/2

MT

Thin to 4"

Peas: Pisum sativum, var. arvense

6 -15

80

1

DF

3" - 4"

Peppers, green: Cap-sicum frutescens

10 - 20

55

4

SF

8" - 10"

Potatoes: Solanum tuberosum

8 - 16

90

1

DF

Early 10", mid-late 14" -18"

Pumpkins: Cucurbita pepo, moschata

8 - 16

75

5

MF

Mounds, 4'

Radishes: Raphanus sativus

3 - 10

80

4

ST

2"

Rhubarb: Rheum rhaponticum

X

X

X

DT

2" - 3"

Rutabagas: Brassica na-pobrassica

3 - 10

75

4

ST

Thin to 6"

Salsify: Tragopogon porrifolius

18 - 30

90

1

MT

4"

Spinach: Spinacia oleracea

6 -12

65

1

SF

Thin to 4"

Squash: Cucurbita maxima

3 - 12

80

5

SF

Mounds, 4'

Tomatoes: Lycopersicon esculentum

6 -14

80

4

MF

1' - 2'

 

Common Name, Species

Germination time, days

Germination, %

Seed longevity (years)

Root depth and type

Spacing between mature plant centers

VEGETABLE

Salsify: Tragopogon porrifolius

18 - 30

90

1

MT

4"

Spinach: Spinacia oleracea

6 -12

65

1

SF

Thin to 4"

Squash: Cucurbita maxima

3 - 12

80

5

SF

Mounds, 4'

Tomatoes: Lycopersicon esculentum

6 -14

80

4

MF

1' - 2'

Turnips: Brassica rapa

3 - 10

75

1

ST

2" - 4"

Watermelon: Citrullus vulgaris

3 - 12

70

6

DF

Mounds, 4'

PERENNIAL HERBS

Angelica: Angelica archangelica

21 - 30

 

1/6

DT

18" - 24"

Catnip: Nepeta cataria

21 - 30

 

5

MF

10" - 12"

Comfrey: Symphytum pere-grinum

X

 

X

DT

2' - 4'

Lavender: Lavandula vera

10 - 21

 

5

MS

10" - 12"

Lemon Balm: Melissa officinalis

7 - 21

 

5

MF

10" - 12"

Oregano: Origanum vulgare

21 - 30

 

5

MF

18" - 24"

 

Common Name, Species

Germination time, days

Germination, %

Seed longevity (years)

Root depth and type

Spacing between mature plant centers

PERENNIAL HERBS

Peppermint: Mentha piperita

X

 

X

MF

12"

Rosemary: Rosmarinus officinalis

14 - 28

 

4

MT

12" - 24"

Rue: Ruta graveolens

10 - 21

 

2

MT

10" - 12"

Sage: Salvia officinalis

14 - 28

 

3

MT

10" - 12"

Savory, winter: Satureja montana

21 - 30

 

3

MT

8" - 10"

Thyme: Thymus vulgaris

14 - 21

 

3

SS

6" - 12"

HERBS, ANNUAL

Anise: Pimpinella anisum

14 - 18

 

3

MT

12" - 18"

Basil: Ocimum basilicum

7 - 14

 

8

SF

8" - 10"

Borage: Borago officinalis

7 - 14

 

8

MT

12" - 24"

Caraway: Carum carvi

14 - 18

 

3

 

8" -10"

Chamomile, Roman: Anthemis nobilis

14 - 18

 

 

MF

10" - 12"

Coriander: Coriandrum sativum

14 - 18

 

6

 

12"- 18"

 

Common Name, Species

Germination time, days

Germination, %

Seed longevity (years)

Root depth and type

Spacing between mature plant centers

HERBS, ANNUAL

Dill: Anethum graveolens

14 - 18

 

3

MT

10"- 18"

Fennel, sweet: Foeniculum vulgare

14 - 18

 

4

DT

12"- 24"

Marjoram: Majorana hor-tensis

14 - 20

 

3

MF

12"- 18"

Savory, summer: Satureja hort.

18- 21

 

3

MF

8" -10"

Tarragon: Artemisia dranunculus

21 - 30

 

3

MF

10" - 12"

FLOWERS

Achillea: Millfoil, Yarrow

10

 

2

 

12"

Althea rosea: Hollyhock

10

 

4

DT

12" - 24"

Alyssum

5

 

2

SF

3" - 4"

Anemone: Windflower

15

 

2

SB

4" - 6"

Antirrhinum: Snapdragon

20

 

3

MT

8" - 12"

Aquilegia: Columbine

15

 

2

MF

10" - 12"

 

Common Name, Species

Germination time, days

Germination, %

Seed longevity (years)

Root depth and type

Spacing between mature plant centers

Aster

8

 

2

 

10" -24"

Aubrieta

20

   

SF

4"

Bellis: English Daisy

5

 

2

 

18"

Calendula: Pot Marigold

10

 

3

MF

8" - 10"

Calliopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria)

20

 

2

 

8" - 10"

Campanula: Bellflower

10

 

3

 

10" - 12"

Centaurea: Bachelor’s button

20

 

2

 

8" - 10"

Chrysanthemum

5

 

3

DF

4" - 18" (per size)

Coleus

20

 

2

MF

Pot

Coreopsis

20

 

2

MF

18" - 20"

Cosmos: Cosmea

5

 

2

MF

10" - 12"

Dahlia

5

 

2

DT

18" - 24"

Delphinium

15

 

2

MF

12" - 24"

 

Common Name, Species

Germination time, days

Germination, %

Seed longevity (years)

Root depth and type

Spacing between mature plant centers

FLOWERS

Dianthus alpinus

5

 

3

SF

4" - 6"

Dianthus barbatus: Sweet Wil-liam

5

 

3

SS

8" - 10"

Dianthus: Carnation hybrids

20

 

3

SS

6" - 8"

Dianthus: Pinks

8

 

3

SS

6" - 8"

Digitalis: Foxglove

20

 

2

MS

12" - 18"

Gaillardia: Blanket flower

20

 

2

 

12" - 18"

Gypsophila: Baby’s breath

20

 

2

SF

6" - 8"

Helianthus: Sunflower

15

 

3

MF

12"

Helichrysum: Everlasting, Strawflower

5

 

2

 

8" - 10"

Iris

30

 

1

MB

6" - 8"

Hyacinthus

X

 

X

SF

8" - 12"

Lathyrus: Sweet pea

15

 

3

DF

4" - 6"

 

Common Name, Species

Germination time, days

Germination, %

Seed longevity (years)

Root depth and type

Spacing between mature plant centers

FLOWERS

Limonium: Statice

15

 

1

 

10" - 12"

Lunaria: Honesty, Money plant

10

 

3

 

12"

Lupinus: Lupine

20

 

3

DT

6" - 24"

Matthiola: Stocks

5

 

3

MT

10" - 12"

Myosotis: Forget-me-not

15

 

3

SF

4" - 6"

Nigella: Love-in-a-mist

8

 

2

SF

6"

Pelargonium (Geranimum)

20

 

3

MF

18" - 24"

Penstemon

20

 

2

 

12" -18"

Phlox, perennial

20-40

 

1

MF

6" - 8"

Phlox, annual (Drummondii

10

 

1

MF

6" - 8"

Primula

15

 

1

SF

10"

Ranunculus

15

 

2

SF

4" - 6"

Ricinus: Castor bean

15

 

3

MF

3" - 4"

 

Common Name, Species

Germination time, days

Germination, %

Seed longevity (years)

Root depth and type

Spacing between mature plant centers

FLOWERS

Salpiglossis

5

     

10" - 12"

Tagetes: Marigold

5

 

3

MF

12" -14"

Tropaeolum majus: Nasturtium

8

 

3

SF

12" - 24"

Viola tricolor: Pansy

10

 

1

SF

6" - 8"

Zinnia

5

 

3

MF

10" - 12"

Source: Tom Cuthbertson, Alan Chadwick's Encharted Garden, Ten Speed Press, 1979, ISBN 0-525-47509-5.

Harvest Time Tips

How do you know when your crops are ripe? It's not always obvious. Here are some tips:

Crop
Harvest Tips
Asparagus Usually takes 3 years before you harvest, although strong varieties (such as all-male) may be harvested at 2 years. Harvest only for one month the first time. Cut or snap off spears at 5-8 inches tall. Don't dig or you may damage spears that haven't emerged yet. Remember tops have to grow strong to store energy for next spring's harvest.
Beans Best when pods snap readily, while tips are still pliable.
Beets Harvest early beets at 1.5-2 inches diameter, tops are good greens. Long season beets can be left in the ground over winter but harvest before spring or they will bolt.
Broccoli Cut while the buds are compact, have not turned yellow or opened into flowers. Leave the plant so side shoots will develop new, smaller buds.
Brussels Sprouts Cut when about 1 inch diameter; pick lower ones and let upper ones mature. Lower leaves can be removed to allow more room for sprouts.
Cabbage Cut heads when solid before they crack or split. Small heads may develop later from cut stem. If you have a lot maturing at the same time, you can retard growth on some by giving the head a quarter-turn twist to break some of the roots.

 

Crop
Harvest Tips
Carrots Ready when crisp and ½ to 1 inch diameter. Sugar content is higher in older carrots but younger ones are more tender. Fall crop can be left in soil to harvest over the winter.
Cauliflower Harvest before heads over mature and become "ricey". Heads should be firm and compact, 6-8 inches diameter. If you tie together the outer leaves over the head 7-12 days before harvest, it will help to blanch the head. This crop is difficult in hot weather, best to grow as a fall or winter crop.
Chard Use leaves 8-10 inches long. New leaves continue to grow from the center.
Chinese Cabbage Cut entire plant when compact and firm, before it bolts. Best as fall crop.
Corn Pick when silk turns dark, about 3 weeks after silk first appears. Kernels should be plump and milky.
Cucumbers Pick at 2 inches or less for pickles, can be longer for slicing. Cukes are old if they are large, puffy, dull and yellow. Keep vine picked so young fruit develop.
Eggplant Harvest when 6-8 inches long and uniformly deep color. Too old when dull, soft and seedy.
Endive, Escarole Cut at ground level when fully developed, 10-12 inches across. If you tie together the outer leaves over the head 7-12 days before harvest, it will help to blanch the head. For forcing varieties (such as Sugarhat), dig root over winter and bring into cool, dark location to force.
Garlic Pull when top turns yellow, air dry and trim roots later. Store in dry location.

 

Crop
Harvest Tips
Jerusalem Artichoke Dig tubers anytime from September to spring.
Kale Break off outer leaves when 8-10 inches long. New leaves continue from center.
Kohlrabi Harvest at silver solar size; larger ones get woody. Young leaves can be cooked like kale or cabbage.
Lettuce Ready in 50-60 days, turns bitter as the stalk goes to flower, remove it and plant something else.
Melons Stem "slips" or separates easily from the fruit. Bottom spot turns to yellowish color. Rind resists penetration with a fingernail.
Mustard Greens Break off outer leaves when 6-8 inches long. Best in cool weather.
Onions Harvest green onions when the thickness of a pencil. Harvest dry onions after tops fall down. Allow to air dry for 2-3 weeks. Then trim tops and store with good air circulation.
Parsnips Leave in ground until a freeze for sweetest flavor. Large ones may be woody; best as a fall crop. Can be left in ground over winter but harvest before spring.
Peas Pick when pod is full and green, about 1 week after flowering for edible pod varieties. Harvest shelling peas when still a bright green color.
Peppers Can harvest at any size but usually picked when fill grown and mature. Hot peppers need to be full ripe and colored.
Potatoes New or "baby" potatoes form anytime after flowers die back. For large potatoes, wait until the vine dies. Then dig and allow to finish drying in cool, dark place.

 

Crop
Harvest Tips
Pumpkins/Squash Allow to ripen on the vine to deep color and a hard rind. Winter squash are ready when the ground spot" on the underside changes from white to gold color. Cut from vine leaving 3-4 inches of stem attached. Store in a cool, dry place.
Radish Harvest at size of marbles up to 1 inch, in about 1 month. After that, they get pithy.
Rhubarb Do not harvest during first year. Harvest only 1-2 weeks second year. After that, you may harvest for 8-10 weeks. Only the stem is used because the leaves contain large amounts of oxalic acid.
Spinach Cut entire plant when plants have 6-8 leaves. They mature quickly and will bolt in hot weather.
Summer Squash Harvest while skin is still tender.
Sweet Potatoes Harvest before frost kills the vine. Handle carefully to avoid bruises. Let roots dry 2-3 hours then cure in warm, dry room for 10 days. Store in cool, humid location.
Tomatoes Fully colored but still firm. Overripe ones turn mushy. Below 50 degrees tomatoes lose flavor so don't try too hard to save unripe ones at season's end. Green tomatoes with a white star on the blossom end are good for frying.
Turnips Harvest roots when 2-3 inches in diameter. Tops are good greens at 4-6 inches long. Can be left in ground over winter but harvest before spring.

 

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