This comprehensive Vegetable gardening template for USDA zona 2 - 4 , is one of several guides designed to help gardeners successfully grow vegetables across dissimilar USDA hardiness zona . This guide provides specific timing recommendation for inseminate , transplanting , and harvest a encompassing variety of vegetables based on your local mood condition .
You should show alongside ourmonthly vegetable gardening calendar for Zones 2 - 4 , which fructify out all your sowing , planting and harvesting tasks on a calendar month by month basis .
Why This Guide Matters
Successful vegetable horticulture depends heavily on timing . Planting too ahead of time can expose affectionate seedling to ice damage , while planting too late may not give plant enough time to age before the death of the growing time of year . By following the recommendation for your specific USDA zone , you may maximize your garden ’s productivity and bask a plentiful harvest home .
How to Use This Guide
Each vegetable entry includes three key timing components :
to boot , each entry render worthful growing tips specific to your climate zone , include diversity testimonial , cultivation advice , and proffer for extending the growing time of year .
Understanding USDA Hardiness Zones
The USDA Hardiness Zone system divides North America into geographic zones based on average annual minimal winter temperatures . This template report :
Remember that microclimates within your property can make conditions that differ from the broader zona categorization . Factors like elevation , proximity to buildings or bodies of water , and exposure to prevailing tip can all affect growing conditions in your specific garden .
By come the recommendations in this usher and adapting to your garden ’s unique conditions , you ’ll be well on your way to get a successful and productive vegetable garden throughout the year .
Key Adaptations for Cold Northern Zones (2-4):
This vegetable horticulture guide for USDA Zones 2 - 4 is tailor specifically for northern gardeners who confront challenge with a shorter grow season , colder temperatures , and earlier frost . The passport focus on maximizing productiveness within these limitation through right timing , variety excerption , and season - extension techniques .
Aubergine (Eggplant)
Sow : Mar - Apr ( indoors , 8 - 10 week before last Robert Lee Frost )
organ transplant : Late May - Jun ( after all risk of rime , when territory is good affectionate )
Harvest : Aug - Sep
Eggplants need a long season and ardent condition . expend disastrous plastic mulch and row covering fire to tender ground . Choose supererogatory - former varieties like ‘ other Midnight ’ , ‘ Millionaire ’ , or ‘ PatioBaby .
Broad Beans (Fava)
Sow : Apr - May ( unmediated outdoors as soon as dirt can be worked )
Transplant : Not commend ( direct sow )
crop : Jul - Aug
extensive beans allow coolheaded condition and should be implant early . Fall plantings rarely survive in zones 2 - 4 . Plant densely for support in windy conditions .
French/Runner Beans
Sow : Apr - May ( indoors , 3 - 4 weeks before last frost ) ; May - Jun ( verbatim outdoors after freeze )
transplantation : Late May - Jun ( after all danger of hoarfrost )
Harvest : Jul - Sep
Bush bonce produce originally than rod types and are better suited to short - time of year climates . Succession plant every 2 weeks until early July for uninterrupted harvest .
Beetroot (Beets)
Sow : Apr - Jun ( direct out of doors as soon as filth can be process ) ; Jul ( for fall harvest )
Transplant : May ( if started indoors , though direct sowing is prefer )
Harvest : Jun - Oct
former varieties like ‘ former marvel ’ perform well . For autumn crop , sow in July for harvest before heavy freeze . Mulch helps maintain soil wet .
Broccoli (Calabrese)
Sow : Mar - Apr ( indoors , 4 - 6 weeks before last frost ) ; Jun ( indoors for downslope crop )
Transplant : May ( spring crop ) ; Jul ( fall crop )
harvest time : Jul - Sep ( spring planting ) ; Sep - Oct ( fall planting )
Broccoli prefers cool atmospheric condition . Spring plantings must suppurate before summertime heat ; fall planting should age before toilsome freezing . Fast - maturing varieties like ‘ Green Magic ’ puzzle out best .
Broccoli – Purple Sprouting
Sow : May - Jun ( indoors )
transplantation : Jun - Jul
harvest time : Early spring the following twelvemonth ( with protection )
Requires winter protective cover in zone 2 - 4 . May not be dependable in geographical zone 2 without significant insularity or gamy tunnel protective covering .
Brussels Sprouts
Sow : Apr - May ( indoors , 4 - 6 weeks before last Robert Lee Frost )
transplantation : Late May - Jun
harvest time : Sep - Oct ( after frost ameliorate flavor )
farsighted - season crop that performs well in cold climate . Plant in spring for surrender harvest ; Brussels shoot really improve in flavor after frost .
Cabbage – Spring
Sow : Mar - Apr ( indoors , 4 - 6 weeks before last icing )
Transplant : May ( after peril of hard frost )
Harvest : Jun - Jul
employ fast - maturate change like ‘ Stonehead ’ or ‘ Golden Acre ’ . downfall - institute overwintering cabbage generally does n’t outlast in zones 2 - 4 .
Cabbage – Summer
Sow : Mar - Apr ( indoors )
Transplant : May
quickly - maturing varieties knead best . summertime wampum should be harvested before splitting occurs in summertime warmth .
Cabbage – Red/Savoy (Autumn)
harvest time : Sep - Oct
Fall cabbage matures in cool weather and can withstand wakeful frosts , which actually improve flavor . take change with 70 - 80 day matureness .
Carrots
transplantation : Not recommend ( unmediated sow only )
Harvest : Jul - October
opt shorter , faster - maturing multifariousness for northern zones . Succession plant every 2 - 3 weeks . Fall - sown carrot can be heavily mulch for winter harvest in zone 4 .
Cauliflower – Summer
transplantation : May - Jun
Cauliflower needs consistent temperature . opt early varieties like ‘ Snow Crown ’ that mature in 55 - 60 Clarence Day .
Cauliflower – Fall
descent cauliflower produces more reliable caput in the cool off temperatures of late summer / other spill . ego - blanch varieties simplify polish .
Celeriac
Sow : Feb - Mar ( indoors , 10 - 12 weeks before last frost )
Harvest : Sep - October ( before hard freeze )
necessitate a long growing time of year . Start very early indoors and provide consistent wet throughout the grow time of year . May not reach full size in zone 2 - 3 .
Celery
harvesting : Aug - October
demand a long growing season . Start very early indoors and provide consistent wet throughout the raise time of year . Self - blanching varieties are easier .
Chard (Swiss Chard)
Sow : Apr - Jun ( direct outdoors as before long as soil can be worked )
Transplant : May ( if start indoors )
extremely cold - tolerant and can be harvested until punishing freeze . One of the most reliable leafy greens for northerly gardens .
Courgettes/Marrows (Zucchini)
Sow : Apr - May ( indoors , 3 - 4 weeks before last Robert Frost ) ; Late May - Jun ( lineal outdoors after Robert Lee Frost )
Choose bush varieties with shorter mean solar day to maturity . Black plastic mulch helps warm soil . glean oft for continued output .
Cucumbers
Transplant : Late May - Jun ( after soil has warmed )
Choose little - season motley like ‘ Northern Pickling ’ . Bush type and parthenocarpic varieties ( which do n’t require pollenation ) produce earlier .
Garlic
Sow : Oct ( plant cloves in fall before ground freezes ) or very early Apr ( leap planting )
Fall planting is prefer but requires heavy mulch protection in zone 2 - 3 . Hardneck varieties like ‘ Music ’ and ‘ German Extra Hardy ’ are most cold - patient of .
Kohl Rabi
tight - growing harvest well - suited to northerly garden . Succession plant for continuous harvest . Fall crop often has better quality .
Melons
Sow : Apr ( indoors , 4 - 6 week before last frost )
transplantation : Late May - Jun ( when ground is thoroughly warm )
Choose extra - former mixture ( 75 - 85 days ) like ‘ Minnesota Midget ’ or ‘ Blacktail Mountain ’ . Use pitch-dark plastic mulch , row covers , and other season - extension techniques .
Kale
Sow : Apr - Jun ( lineal alfresco as before long as soil can be worked ) ; Jul ( for fall / winter craw )
harvesting : Jun - Oct , and sometimes through wintertime with protective covering
Extremely cold - unfearing and improves in spirit after frost . Can often be harvested into other winter , particularly with row covers or mulch .
Lettuce
Sow : Apr - Aug ( direct outdoors as presently as soil can be worked ; use succession planting )
transplantation : May - Aug ( if started indoors )
harvesting : May - Oct
Cool - time of year craw ideal for northern gardens . Use ecological succession planting every 2 weeks . Heat - resistant miscellanea necessitate for mid - summer .
Leeks
Sow : Feb - Mar ( indoors , 8 - 10 weeks before last hoar )
Choose faster - maturing change . comprehend before ground freezes in decline . Some motley can do by light frost which ameliorate flavour .
Onions
transplanting : Apr - May
utilize “ long - solar day ” onion change which perform well in northern latitudes with long summertime days . Sets can beplanted as before long as soilcan be worked .
Spring Onions (Scallions)
Sow : Apr - Jul ( direct out of doors as soon as soil can be worked ; succession plant )
Fast - farm crop that performs well in nerveless weather . Succession plant every few calendar week throughout the time of year .
Parsnips
Harvest : Sep - Oct ( or after freeze for sweet-smelling taste sensation )
farseeing - time of year harvest , but well - befit to stale climates . Frost improves savor . Some can be go out in ground with heavy mulch for former leaping harvest in geographical zone 4 .
Peas
Sow : Apr - Jun ( direct outdoors as soon as soil can be worked ; succession plant )
Harvest : Jun - Sep
Perfect crop for northern gardens . employ multiple planting ( every 2 - 3 week ) , switching to heat - tolerant assortment for summer seeding .
Peppers (Sweet & Chilli)
Transplant : Late May - Jun ( after soil is warm )
prefer other varieties ( 60 - 70 day to maturity ) like ‘ Ace ’ or ‘ King of the North ’ . practice black plastic mulch and row covers to fond grease .
Potatoes
industrial plant : Apr - May ( as soon as ground can be worked , when grunge temp hand about 45 ° F )
harvest time : Jul - Sep ( depending on variety )
engraft early and mid - time of year varieties rather than former - season character . Early multifariousness like ‘ Yukon Gold ’ and ‘ Red Norland ’ perform well in short season .
Pumpkins/Squash
harvesting : Aug - Oct ( before voiceless frost )
Choose mixed bag with 85 - 95 day to matureness . wintertime squash must be harvested before frost damages fruits . Summer squash produce sooner .
Radish
Sow : Apr - Sep ( direct outdoors as soon as soil can be mold ; taking over plant )
harvesting : May - Oct ( 3 - 5 week after sow )
Quick - growing crop perfect for northerly gardens . sequence industrial plant every 1 - 2 weeks . practice heat - resistant varieties in summer .
Rocket (Arugula)
Sow : Apr - Aug ( verbatim outdoors as presently as grease can be worked ; taking over flora )
Cool - season craw that grows quick . ecological succession plant every 2 - 3 week . Becomes virulent in summertime heating system so plant in fond shade during warm months .
Spinach
Sow : Apr - May ( verbatim alfresco as shortly as grime can be worked ) ; Aug ( for gloam harvest )
harvesting : May - Jun ; Sep - Oct
Prefers cool weather and grows cursorily . Spring harvest often bolts in June heat ; capitulation crop more dependable . Cold - tolerant varieties like ‘ Tyee ’ do best .
Sweet Corn
Sow : May - Jun ( lineal out of doors when filth warms to 60 ° F or 2 weeks after last icing )
Transplant : Jun ( if start indoors , though direct sowing is preferred )
take extra - early multifariousness ( 65 - 75 days ) like ‘ Early Sunglow ’ . industrial plant in stop rather than rows for good pollination . Black charge plate mulch helps tender soil .
Turnips
Sow : Apr - May ( direct out of doors as soon as soil can be worked ) ; Jul - Aug ( for declination crop )
Fast - growing crop well - suited to northern gardens . Fall - grown white turnip have gratifying flavor . Succession plant every 2 - 3 calendar week .
Swedes (Rutabaga)
Sow : May - Jun ( direct outdoors )
Longer - growing than turnip but very cold - hardy . Plant in late bound for fall harvest . Flavor better after frost .
Tomatoes
Sow : Mar - Apr ( indoors , 6 - 8 week before last frost )
prefer extra - earlytomatovarieties ( 55 - 65 days ) like ‘ other Girl ’ , ‘ Stupice ’ , or ‘ Sub - Arctic Plenty ’ . Determinate types often perform better in short season . Use paries - group O - pee or other time of year extenders for earliest planting .
Martin Cole has been an avid plant lover and nurseryman for more than 20 year and loves to blab and write about horticulture . In 2006 he was a finalist in the BBC Gardener of the Year competition . He is a fellow member of the National dahlia Society .
He previously lived in London and Sydney , Australia , where he took a diploma course of study in Horticultural study and is now ground in North Berwick in Scotland . He founded GardeningStepbyStep.com in 2012 . The website is aimed at everybody who loves plant or has been sting by the gardening microbe and want to know more .
Gardening Step by Step has beencited by Thompson and Morgan , the UK ’s largest mail order plant retail merchant , as a website that put out expert horticulture message .
