Herbs, Edibles & Successive Planting

Now is a great time to start planting herbs in your garden. The temperatures at night are still cool, but thyme, oregano, sage, rosemary, chives, mint, tarragon and fennel are all hardy enough to deal with our spring nights. As for vegetables; beets, broccoli, cabbage, peas, potatoes, strawberries, spinach and lettuce are ready to go as well. Sometimes I tuck herbs into my flower garden for texture, scent and wildlife.

Planting small raised beds, wine barrels, bowls or window boxes is a great way to have the edibles without the work of a full blown vegetable garden. The variety of veggies and herbs you can plant is wide open. Potatoes can be planted in wine barrels or potato bags. Planting a salad bowl pot or window box with lettuce, radishes & tomatoes, is a good start. You could also plant a salsa bowl….tomatoes, cilantro, jalapeño peppers, tomatillos and garlic/onions. …larger pots/boxes will not dry out as fast as smaller bowls, but you will still need to watch your water if the weather continues to be hot and dry. Plants in containers have nowhere to go for water or nutrients, so you have to make sure to check them regularly. Adding pansies, nasturtiums or calendula adds flowers and colour while still being edible J

Succession planting is another way to extend your season. Leafy green vegetables tend to go to seed, in hot weather. Planting seeds for lettuce, cilantro and other leafy greens every few weeks helps extend your crops. Look for heat tolerant varieties as the season progresses. Below is a little resource to help you see what and when to plant and replant. Enjoy!!

 

Suggested Spring Plantings March-April

By Seed:                                          By Starts

Carrots                                             Broccoli

Radishes                                          Cabbage

Turnips                                            Cauliflower

Mache                                              Collards

 

By Seeds or Starts

Arugula

Asian greens

Beets

Cilantro

Endive

Kale

Kohlrabi

Lettuce

Mustard greens

Radicchio

Scallions

Swiss chard

Spinach

Onions

 

Suggested Summer Plantings July – Sept.

By Seeds                                         By Starts

Arugula                                            Broccoli

Asian greens

Carrots

Mache

Mustard

Radishes

Turnips

 

Seeds or Starts

Beets

Broccoli Raab

Brussels sprouts

Cabbage

Cauliflower

Cilantro

Collards

Kale

Lettuce

Napa Cabbage

Spinach