The first picture represents the Gardening calendar I reference. I consider my area Zone 6, overlapping Zone 7, so I would directly sow Kale, Lettuce, Spinach, Peas, Carrots, and Beets at the beginning to middle of March. Around this time I would start Cabbage, Brussels, Cauliflower, and Celery, indoors to transplant in April. In April, I transplant Celery, Brussels, Cabbage, and Cauliflower as well as grow a second crop of greens. At the beginning or middle of March, I start Tomatoes, Peppers, and Melons indoors indoors to transplant in May. At the beginning of May, transplant the Tomatoes, Peppers, and Melons as well as directly sow Squash, Corn, and Beans.
This sounds like a simple garden, but in fact I'm growing much more than this. I am only explaining what you see in the calendar below. The calendar isn't a representation of all the vegetables, herbs, greens, and Fruit trees I'm planting. The post, Seeds I bought for 2015 Garden, will give you representation of my seed inventory which I will be growing this year.
The following pictures represent all USDA Gardening Zones First and Last Freeze dates, as well as planting dates for each vegetable.
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photo source: Veggie Harvest
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photo source: Grow it Vegetable Gardening
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The Farmers Almanac also provides you with a garden calendar for growing different vegetables by Moon Phases (in the United States), which you can view here: Planting by the Moon Phases Garden calendar.
I usually cannot grow by the Moon phases, because of heavy rainfall during April. You always need a couple of days of nice weather to plant many of your vegetables. But out of desperation, I have planted in the rain before.
In the past, it took my several days of nice weather to plant because I would need to till the soil for our 3 1/2 gardens. In hindsight, tilling and hoeing up rows took up most of my time. Now, I plan to AVOID tilling and hoeing rows because I'm implementing Permaculture techniques. Permaculture design is a layering system as seen in the Forests. For example, I will be growing vegetables in layers of mulch and compost instead of tilling and hoeing. This is a much easier system, as well as more nutrient dense. If you haven't seen the information I have provided on Permaculture, go to my post here: No money, work, tilling: Permaculture.
Great website! lots of useful info. Would be nice if you could make your moon phase/Garden Calendars printable. I tried to print one- and only background color will print- 5 pages printed before i cancelled. Hope you will consider allowing visitors to print them off in the near future.
ReplyDeleteWhy farm in accordance with lunar phases? What effect does the moon have on crops?
ReplyDeleteThe water in both the ground and in plants are affected by the gravitational pull of the Sun and Moon, just like ocean tides are. Just as the tides are highest during the New and Full phases of the Moon, this theory suggests seeds will absorb the most water during these times....All aboveground crops should be planted when the Moon is waxing. During the New Moon is the best time to sow or transplant leafy annuals such as lettuce, spinach, cabbage, and celery, while the First Quarter phase is good for annual fruits, and foods with external seeds, such as tomatoes, pumpkins, broccoli and beans.
DeleteRoot crops do best when the Moon is waning. When the Moon is just past Full, it’s a good time to sow or plant root crops and fruit trees like apples, potatoes, beets, turnips, asparagus, and rhubarb. During the Last Quarter phase, it’s best to avoid planting at all.