Gardening Calendar

Explore the Vineyard District Gardening Calendar

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Click the blue links in the calendar to view individual calendar posts.


JANUARY	SOW	HARVEST	PLANT	NOTES
	beets carrots kohlrabi lettuce spinach English peas pod peas radish jujube redbud mesquite	beets collards lettuce mustard greens spinach turnips citrus persimmons sage Texas tarragon prickly pear pads	broccoli brussels sprouts cabbage, kale, bulbing onions, green onions dill fennel oregano seedlings of parsley	Plant: Jan. 20-March 5; Sept. 10-Nov.15 Light: full sun to partial shade Water: average Soil needs: well-drained Fertilization: 2 weeks after planting; again when heads form; after harvesting heads
FEBRUARY	SOW	HARVEST	PLANT	NOTES
	beets carrots kale lettuce mustard greens peas spinach turnips tomatoes peppers jujube redbud mesquite	arugula beets broccoli cabbage carrots cauliflower greens lettuces spinach swiss chard turnips sage redbud flowers Texas tarragon prickly pear pads	artichokes asparagus crowns asian greens broccoli cabbage chard collards lettuce mustard greens onion sets potatoes shallot bulbs chives cilantro dill fennel parsley oregano rosemary thyme potted fruit trees except citrus	Plant: Jan. 5–Feb. 20; Sept. 5-Oct. 25 Light: full sun to partial shade Water: average and is intolerant of soggy soil Soil needs: well-drained Fertilization: pre-planting or 2 weeks after thinning plants
MARCH	SOW	HARVEST	PLANT	NOTES
	beans corn sunflowers edamame Texas tarragon	english & sugar snap peas beets carrots leafy greens cabbage family asparagus (first cuttings) sage redbud flowers and beans Texas tarragon prickly pear pads	lettuce mustard family leafy greens cabbage family plants peas potatoes carrots beets turnips radishes	Insect problems start to increase along with warmer temperatures in March. Most of our insect problems can be controlled with relatively mild organic solutions – especially if caught early. Fungal issues will be popping up so keep a sharp eye out and be prepared to apply appropriate controls. Note that fungal control products generally only stop the spread of fungal diseases and don’t cure them so early detection and control are very important. For fruits and nuts it is often advisable to apply fungal controls routinely even in advance of signs of disease. Final applications of dormant or horticultural oil for scale insects on fruits and nuts will generally be complete by early this month.
APRIL	SOW	HARVEST	PLANT	NOTES
	bush and pole beans corn okra southern peas cucumber melons okra summer and winter squash cucuzza edamame sage Texas tarragon ginger mustard seed sunflowers prickly pears	asparagus artichokes beets broccoli cauliflower cabbage carrots radish turnips arugula chard collards kale lettuce spinach cilantro dill parsley nasturtium pansy strawberries sage redbud beans Texas tarragon prickly pear pads	eggplant peppers swiss chard sweet potatoes plant tomatoes before April 20-the sooner the better basil chives lemongrass oregano rosemary thyme mint, with container growing recommended due to its aggressive growth figs pomegranates citrus trees (after freezing is done)	Choose a growing site with good drainage, in full sun and thoroughly amend the soil with 4 or more inches of high quality compost.
MAY	SOW	HARVEST	PLANT	NOTES
	lima beans black eyed peas okra pumpkin summer squash melon cucumber malabar spinach tomatillo basil cucuzza edamame ginger mustard seed sunflowers prickly pears	potatoes parsley cucuzza edamame sage Texas tarragon prickly pear pads	cucumber eggplant melons okra southern peas pepper sweet potato pumpkin radish squash tomato	Potatoes, the most popular vegetable in America is fun and easy to grow either in traditional gardens or in all sorts of large containers. Planted in February in central Texas gardens, they are most often ready to harvest in May. When the foliage turns yellow and dies, it is harvest time and the fun begins.
JUNE	SOW	HARVEST	PLANT	NOTES
	lima beans southern peas okra pumpkin summer squash winter squash melon cucuzza	carrots corn cucumbers green beans peppers radishes squash tomatoes turnips blackberries blueberries figs peaches plums melons cucuzza edamame sage Texas tarragon prickly pear pads mesquite beans	cucumber eggplant melons okra southern peas pepper pumpkin squash	Harvest and eat vine ripened tomatoes immediately or refrigerate. And, since tomatoes are climacteric (continue to ripen after harvesting) to outsmart pesky birds, you can pick them in the pink stage and allow them to ripen indoors, unrefrigerated. Or if you’ve never had a fried, homegrown green tomato, maybe it’s time to give them a try.
JULY	SOW	HARVEST	PLANT	NOTES
	corn cucumber southern peas okra pumpkin summer squash winter squash melon cucuzza	corn cucumbers eggplant green beans peppers field peas squash tomatoes cucuzza jujube edamame sage Texas tarragon mustard seed sunflowers prickly pear pads mesquite beans	corn cucumber eggplant melon okra southern pea pumpkin squash	July is most often associated with watermelons in Texas, but for me it is also cantaloupes. And, has been since a 1976 visit to west Texas, when I was introduced to Pecos County cantaloupe, one of the most fragrant, sweet versions I’ve ever tasted. I learned that weather, water and soil make for perfect growing conditions in that part of Texas. Thereafter, some of those delicious melons came home with me from our annual July trip. Scientifically, we are talking muskmelon, but the terms are used interchangeably in this country. Growing on trailing vines, it is identified by its netted skin.
AUGUST	SOW	HARVEST	PLANT	NOTES
	beans corn cucumber mustard greens turnips summer and winter squash cucuzza	cucumbers eggplant okra peppers field peas squash melons pears grapes cucuzza jujube sage Texas tarragon mustard seed sunflowers prickly pear pads mesquite beans	bean corn garlic pepper squash tomato	Eggplant can often be harvested in August. A relative of tomatoes, peppers and potatoes, it isn’t bothered by the hot weather and keeps producing into the fall. Europeans call it an aubergine, in reference to is deep, rich purple color.
SEPTEMBER	SOW	HARVEST	PLANT	NOTES
	peas beets carrots collards leaf lettuce mustard greens spinach turnip radish jujube edamame redbud mesquite	eggplant okra peppers squash figs pears peanuts pomegranate cucuzza jujube sage Texas tarragon prickly pear pads and fruit	beet broccoli brussel sprouts cabbage carrot cauliflower garlic peas radish	The cool season garden takes off in September, with the planting of many of the easily grown edibles, like the leafy greens. While thoughts most often turn to vegetable gardens in spring, hands down the fall-winter garden can be the most enjoyable. For one thing it is much more comfortable to be outdoors, also there are fewer plant pests and less watering yet plenty to harvest.
OCTOBER	SOW	HARVEST	PLANT	NOTES
	beets carrots collards leaf lettuce mustard greens spinach turnip radish arugula cilantro dill parsley jujube edamame redbud mesquite	cucumbers eggplant peppers pumpkins squash sweet potatoes pears pecans persimmons pomegranates cucuzza jujube edamame sage Texas tarragon ginger prickly pear pads and fruit	beet broccoli brussel sprouts cabbage carrot cauliflower garlic green onion radish	Sweet potatoes are actually not potatoes at all and for that matter, they are not yams either. A member of the morning glory family – Ipomoea batatas – the sweet potato is an underground edible root with sweet, moist, orange flesh. Yams are dry, starchy, white tubers not even related to sweet potatoes. The Irish potato is actually an underground stem or tuber.
NOVEMBER	SOW	HARVEST	PLANT	NOTES
	arugula carrots leaf lettuce mustard greens turnip radish jujube redbud mesquite	green beans peppers pumpkins squash sweet potatoes tomatoes tomatillo winter squash pears pecans persimmons pomegranates cucuzza edamame sage Texas tarragon ginger prickly pear pads and fruit	broccoli cabbage carrot radish	Cool season crops are growing in earnest this month, but there is still time to add a few more things to the vegetable garden. Keep a close eye on weather predications and be ready to cover new or baby plants in the event of a freeze. Use lightweight blankets, a cardboard box or frost cloth that is made specifically for this purpose.
DECEMBER	SOW	HARVEST	PLANT	NOTES
	carrots lettuce jujube redbud mesquite	beets collards lettuce mustard greens spinach turnips citrus pecans persimmons sage Texas tarragon prickly pear pads and fruit	brussel sprouts fruit trees (bare root after dormancy)	With minimal planting and harvesting tasks, the month of December offers the home gardener respite. It is an opportune time to reflect on your garden’s production or research new growing opportunities. Don’t forget to keep a close eye on weather predications and be ready to protect plants in the event of a freeze.