How to Grow Vegetables
Information is provided by The Old Farmers Almanac
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Different vegetables require different conditions to thrive. Plan your garden accordingly with our guidelines below for growing vegetables.
How many crops can you fit into your garden? Use our online Garden Planner to produce the perfect plan.
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GROWING VEGETABLES GUIDE
Note: Each of the vegetables listed below links to a free planting and growing guide!
| Vegetables | Start Seeds Indoors (weeks before last spring frost) | Start Seeds Outdoors (weeks before or after last spring frost) | Minimum Soil Temp. to Germinate (°F) | Cold Hardiness | When to Fertilize | When to Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beans | — | Anytime after | 48–50 | Tender | After heavy bloom and set of pods | Regularly, from start of pod to set |
| Beets | — | 3 before to 3 after | 39–41 | Half-hardy | At time of planting | Only during drought conditions |
| Broccoli | 6–8 | 2–3 before | 55–75 | Hardy | Three weeks after transplanting | Only during drought conditions |
| Brussels Sprouts | 6–8 | — | 55–75 | Hardy | Three weeks after transplanting | At transplanting |
| Cabbage | 6–8 | 1 before to 1 after | 38–40 | Hardy | Three weeks after transplanting | Two to three weeks before harvest |
| Carrots | — | 3–5 before | 39–41 | Half-hardy | Preferably in the fall for the following spring | Only during drought conditions |
| Cauliflower | 6–8 | 1 before to 1 after | 65–75 | Half-hardy | Three weeks after transplanting | Once, three weeks before harvest |
| Celery | 6–8 | — | 60–70 | Tender | At time of transplanting | Once a week |
| Corn | — | 2 after | 46–50 | Tender | When eight to ten inches tall, and again when first silk appears | When tassels appear and cobs start to swell |
| Cucumbers | 2–4 | 1–2 after | 65–70 | Very tender | One week after bloom, and again three weeks later | Frequently, especially when fruits form |
| Lettuce | 4–6 | 1 before to 2 after | 40–75 | Half-hardy | Two to three weeks after transplanting | Once a week |
| Melons | 2–4 | 2 after | 55–60 | Very tender | One week after bloom, and again three weeks later | Once a week |
| Onion Sets | — | 4 before | 34–36 | Hardy | When bulbs begin to swell, and again when plants are one foot tall | Only during drought conditions |
| Parsnips | — | 0–3 before | 55–70 | Hardy | One year before planting | Only during drought conditions |
| Peas | — | 4–6 before | 34–36 | Hardy | After heavy bloom and set of pods | Regularly, from start of pod to set |
| Peppers | 8–10 | — | 70–80 | Very tender | After first fruit-set | Once a week |
| Potato Tubers | — | 0–2 after | 55–70 | Half-hardy | At bloom time or time of second hilling | Regularly, when tubers start to form |
| Pumpkins | 2–4 | 1 after | 55–60 | Tender | Just before vines start to run, when plants are about one foot tall | Only during drought conditions |
| Radishes | — | 1 before to 1 after | 39–41 | Hardy | Before spring planting | Once a week |
| Spinach | — | 4–6 before | 55–65 | Hardy | When plants are one-third grown | Once a week |
| Squash, Summer | 2–4 | 1 after | 55–60 | Very tender | Just before vines start to run, when plants are about one foot tall | Only during drought conditions |
| Squash, Winter | 2–4 | 1 after | 55–60 | Tender | Just before vines start to run, when plants are about one foot tall | Only during drought conditions |
| Tomatoes | 6–8 | — | 50–55 | Tender | Two weeks before, and after first picking | Twice a week |
HAPPY GARDENING!
