Froots & Veg

Beacon, NY · zone 6b

Last frost ~May 12 First frost ~Oct 12 ~150-day season

The year, month by month

January

  • Plan the beds and order seeds while varieties are in stock.
  • Inventory trays, domes, heat mats and lights; clean anything reused.
  • Nothing outdoors.

February

  • Late Feb: start leeks indoors (with onions and scallions if you grow them from seed). These are slow and go in first.
  • Set up and test the seed-starting station.

March

  • Early to mid March: start all peppers indoors (Aleppo, jalapeno, bell, shishito, Jimmy Nardello, poblano, padron, corno di toro). They germinate slowly.
  • Late March: start tomatoes, tomatillo and ground cherry.
  • Prep beds as soil becomes workable; top-dress compost.
  • Late March, weather permitting: direct sow peas, spinach and radish if soil hits about 40F.

April

  • Early April: start basil, spring kale, cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli indoors.
  • Mid April: direct sow carrots, spinach, peas, lettuce, radish, arugula and scallions once soil is workable.
  • Mid to late April: start zucchini, cucumber, winter squash and pumpkin in peat pots.
  • Plant asparagus crowns and horseradish cuttings in their permanent spots.
  • Install trellises and cages before plants need them.

May

  • Early May: harden off warm-season transplants over 7 to 10 days.
  • After May 12 to 15 (past frost): transplant tomatoes, peppers, tomatillo, ground cherry and basil.
  • Late May: direct sow bush beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, cucumber, zucchini, winter squash and pumpkin.
  • Continue succession carrots and lettuce; mulch the beds and start the morning watering habit.

June

  • Transplant any remaining warm-season crops.
  • Cut garlic scapes from last fall's planting to fatten the bulbs.
  • Harvest spring spinach, lettuce, radish and early kale before heat bolts them.
  • Mid to late June: start fall brassicas indoors (Brussels, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, kale).
  • Stake tomatoes and Brussels; prune tomato suckers; scout for squash bugs and cucumber beetles.
  • First monthly feed: top-dress the beds with compost and give the heavy feeders (tomatoes, squash, brassicas) their supplemental feed; top up any grow bags too.

July

  • Harvest ramps up: zucchini, cucumbers, early tomatoes, beans, basil.
  • Mid July: harvest garlic when lower leaves brown; cure 2 to 3 weeks in a dry, airy, shaded spot.
  • Direct sow fall carrots and fall kale; run the last bean succession early in the month.
  • Late July: transplant fall brassicas.
  • Keep watering consistent to prevent blossom end rot.

August

  • Peak harvest: tomatoes, peppers, tomatillo, ground cherry, cucumbers, zucchini, beans, shishito.
  • Early to mid Aug: direct sow fall spinach, lettuce, arugula, salad turnips; early August is the last good window for fall carrots.
  • Preserve the surplus; order garlic seed.
  • Liquid-feed the fruiting crops every 2 weeks; daily watering continues.

September

  • Harvest tomatoes, peppers, tomatillo and the first winter squash (delicata) and pumpkins.
  • Sow a last quick round of spinach and arugula early in the month.
  • Pull spent summer plants and plan the garlic bed.
  • Taper watering as the nights cool, and stop feeding.

October

  • Before first frost (~Oct 12): harvest all winter squash and pumpkins and cure them; pick remaining peppers and tomatoes (ripen green tomatoes indoors).
  • After frost, Brussels and kale sweeten, so leave them in.
  • Mid to late Oct: plant garlic cloves and mulch with straw; dig horseradish roots after frost.
  • Sow cover crop on empty beds; clean and store tools. Fold compost and shredded leaves into the beds, and empty any grow bags to refresh their mix for spring.

November

  • Harvest cold-hardy crops: Brussels, kale, leeks and mulched carrots.
  • Mulch the garlic bed heavily.
  • Protect leeks and carrots with straw for winter pulling; compost disease-free plants.

December

  • Harvest leeks, Brussels and kale from under the snow as needed.
  • Review the season's notes and plan next year.

The crops

Each strip is one year: orange while seeds are inside, green once they are out, red when there is something to pick.

seed indoors outside harvest

Peppers

Aleppo pepper

Pick red and dry for flakes.

Indoors
8 to 10 wk (mid Mar)
Outside
Transplant after frost
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun
Water
Every 3 to 4 days in July; deep soak, let it dry between
Harvest
Aug to Oct, red-ripe

Jalapeno

Pick green or let them go red.

Indoors
8 wk (mid Mar)
Outside
Transplant after frost
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun
Water
Every 3 to 4 days in July; a lean run builds the heat
Harvest
Jul to Oct, green or red

Bell pepper

Sweeter left to fully color.

Indoors
8 to 10 wk (mid Mar)
Outside
Transplant after frost
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun
Water
Every 3 to 4 days in July; swings mean blossom end rot
Harvest
Jul to Oct, green or colored

Shishito

Prolific, pick young for blistering.

Indoors
8 wk (mid Mar)
Outside
Transplant after frost
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun; give it the sunniest corner
Water
Every 3 to 4 days in July; never let it bake dry
Harvest
Jul to frost, small green

Jimmy Nardello

Sweet frying pepper.

Indoors
8 wk (mid Mar)
Outside
Transplant after frost
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun
Water
Every 3 to 4 days in July; steady or blossom end rot
Harvest
Aug to Oct, red-ripe

Poblano / ancho

Green = poblano, dried red = ancho.

Indoors
8 to 10 wk (mid Mar)
Outside
Transplant after frost
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun
Water
Every 3 to 4 days in July; keep it even the whole way
Harvest
Aug to Oct

Padron

Blistering pepper, pick young and often.

Indoors
8 wk (mid Mar)
Outside
Transplant after frost
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun
Water
Every 3 to 4 days in July; steady water drives the flush
Harvest
Jul to frost, small green

Corno di Toro

Long sweet Italian frying pepper.

Indoors
8 wk (mid Mar)
Outside
Transplant after frost
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun
Water
Every 3 to 4 days in July; a thirsty week curls the horns
Harvest
Aug to Oct, red or yellow

Fresno

Ripens red, meatier than jalapeno.

Indoors
8 to 10 wk (mid Mar)
Outside
Transplant after frost
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun
Water
Every 3 to 4 days in July; keep it even or it cracks
Harvest
Aug to Oct, red-ripe

Cayenne

Easy to dry and grind.

Indoors
8 to 10 wk (mid Mar)
Outside
Transplant after frost
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun
Water
Every 3 to 4 days in July; even, and forgives a miss
Harvest
Aug to Oct, red for drying

Habanero

Needs the longest warm run.

Indoors
8 to 10 wk (early Mar)
Outside
Transplant after frost
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun in the hottest corner
Water
Every 3 to 4 days in July; drought drops the flowers
Harvest
Aug to Oct, orange from Sep

Tomatoes & friends

Tomato (heirloom, roma, cherry)

Stake or cage, prune suckers on indeterminates.

Indoors
6 to 8 wk (late Mar)
Outside
Transplant after frost
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun; six hours minimum
Water
Every 3 to 4 days in July; swings split and rot it
Harvest
Jul to frost

Tomatillo

Plant 2+; self-incompatible.

Indoors
6 to 8 wk (late Mar)
Outside
Transplant after frost
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun
Water
Every 3 to 4 days in July; easygoing once established
Harvest
Aug to Oct, husk splits

Ground cherry

Ripe when husks drop and turn tan.

Indoors
6 to 8 wk (late Mar)
Outside
Transplant after frost
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun
Water
Every 3 to 4 days in July; the dry side of a tomato
Harvest
Late Jul to frost

San Marzano

Paste tomato for sauce.

Indoors
6 to 8 wk (late Mar)
Outside
Transplant after frost
Where
Raised bed or in ground, staked
Sun
Full sun
Water
Every 3 to 4 days in July; dead even or blossom end rot
Harvest
Aug to Oct, one big flush

Sungold cherry

Widely rated the best tasting.

Indoors
6 to 8 wk (late Mar)
Outside
Transplant after frost
Where
Raised bed or in ground, tall stake
Sun
Full sun
Water
Every 3 to 4 days in July; heavy rain splits ripe fruit
Harvest
Jul to frost

Eggplant

Japanese or Fairy Tale.

Indoors
8 wk (mid Mar)
Outside
Transplant late May, nights near 60F
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun in the warmest corner
Water
Every 3 to 4 days in July; drought turns fruit bitter
Harvest
Jul to Oct, glossy and young

Okra

Direct sow late May, warmest spot.

Outside
Direct late May to early Jun, warm soil
Where
In ground or raised bed, warmest spot
Sun
Full sun; the longest-lit spot you have
Water
Deep soak once a week; the finger test decides
Harvest
Jul to Sep, pick small and often

Beans & peas

Bush beans (snap)

Direct sow late May; succession every 2 to 3 wk through early Aug.

Outside
Direct after frost, late May
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun
Water
Every 3 to 4 days in summer; deep soak, more once pods set
Harvest
50 to 60 days, pick young

Kidney beans (dry)

Direct sow late May, soil 60F+; dry on plant.

Outside
Direct after frost, soil 60F+, late May
Where
In ground or raised bed
Sun
Full sun
Water
Even while pods fill; ease off as pods yellow
Harvest
Sep to Oct, dry on plant

Pinto beans (dry)

Bush type, ~90 to 100 days to dry.

Outside
Direct after frost, soil 60F+, late May
Where
In ground or raised bed
Sun
Full sun
Water
Even through pod fill; then let it dry down
Harvest
Sep to Oct, dry on plant

Borlotti / cranberry beans

More flavorful and productive than kidney or pinto. Direct sow after frost, in ground.

Outside
Direct after frost, soil 60F+, late May
Where
In ground or raised bed
Sun
Full sun
Water
Deep soak once or twice a week; ease off as pods marble
Harvest
Sep to Oct, fresh shell or dry

Sugar snap / snow peas

Direct late March, trellised, harvest June.

Outside
Direct late Mar, cold soil is fine
Where
Raised bed or in ground, on a trellis
Sun
Full sun
Water
Every 5 to 7 days in spring; steady once flowering
Harvest
Jun, three weeks of picking

Squash & cucumbers

Zucchini (summer squash)

Hungry plant, pick often.

Indoors
3 to 4 wk in peat pots (late Apr)
Outside
Direct after frost, late May
Where
In ground or raised bed
Sun
Full sun
Water
Every 3 to 4 days in July; soak at the base, not the leaves
Harvest
45 to 55 days, pick small

Winter squash (incl. delicata)

Cure before frost.

Indoors
3 to 4 wk (late Apr)
Outside
Direct late May to early Jun
Where
In ground (vining)
Sun
Full sun
Water
Deep, infrequent soak; the finger test decides
Harvest
Sep to Oct, hard rind

Cucumber

Trellis to save space.

Indoors
3 wk in peat pots (late Apr)
Outside
Direct after frost, late May
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun
Water
Every 3 to 4 days in July; keep it even, at the base
Harvest
50 to 70 days, pick young

Pumpkin

Full-size types want the ground.

Indoors
3 wk (late Apr)
Outside
Direct late May to early Jun
Where
In ground (needs space)
Sun
Full sun
Water
Deep soak; heavier as fruit sizes, finger test
Harvest
Sep to Oct, hard rind

Brassicas

Kale (incl. Dino)

Cut outer leaves; best after frost.

Indoors
6 wk (early Apr) spring; July for fall
Outside
Transplant
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun; takes part shade
Water
Every 3 to 4 days in July; a dry spell toughens leaves
Harvest
Continuous, best after frost

Broccoli

Main head then side shoots; fall crop is cleaner.

Indoors
6 to 8 wk (late Mar) spring; mid Jun for fall
Outside
Transplant
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun
Water
Every 3 to 4 days in July; a dry check makes buttons
Harvest
60 to 85 days

Cabbage

Spring and fall crops.

Indoors
6 to 8 wk spring; June for fall
Outside
Transplant
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun
Water
Every 3 to 4 days in July; a soak after drought splits heads
Harvest
70 to 100 days

Cauliflower

Blanch heads by tying leaves; fall is more reliable.

Indoors
6 to 8 wk spring; June for fall
Outside
Transplant
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun
Water
Every 3 to 4 days in July; any stall rices the curd
Harvest
60 to 85 days

Brussels sprouts

Pick bottom up; frost sweetens.

Indoors
4 to 6 wk spring, or mid Jun for fall
Outside
Transplant
Where
Raised bed or in ground (stake)
Sun
Full sun
Water
Every 3 to 4 days in July; fall sprouts ride on it
Harvest
Oct to Dec after frost

Romanesco

Striking; spring and fall.

Indoors
6 to 8 wk spring; June for fall
Outside
Transplant
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun
Water
Every 3 to 4 days in July; a checked plant buttons
Harvest
Jun to Jul, then Sep to Oct

Kohlrabi

Fast, mild, unusual.

Outside
Direct Apr to May, again early Aug
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun
Water
Every 5 to 7 days; a checked bulb turns woody
Harvest
Jun, then Sep to Oct, at tennis-ball size

Roots & tubers

Carrot

Never transplant.

Outside
Direct Apr to Jul, succession
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun
Water
Damp till sprouted, then deep and even; swings fork it
Harvest
60 to 80 days, fall sweetest

Potatoes

Plant April, hill, harvest summer.

Outside
Plant seed potatoes mid Apr
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun
Water
Even through flowering; ease off as the vines yellow
Harvest
New potatoes Jul; storage Aug

Beets

Spring and August sowings; roots plus greens.

Outside
Direct mid Apr, again early Aug
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun; tolerates light shade
Water
Deep soak twice a week; swings make woody rings
Harvest
Jun to Jul, then Sep to Oct

Salad turnips (Hakurei)

Fast and sweet.

Outside
Direct early Apr, again mid Aug
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun
Water
Little and often; never dry, or they turn pithy
Harvest
May to Jun, then Sep to Oct, golf ball size

Radish

Quick succession filler.

Outside
Direct Apr and Sep, a short row at a time
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun
Water
Little and often; a dry check turns them sharp
Harvest
May to Jun, then Oct, pull small

Florence fennel

For roasting; best as a fall crop.

Outside
Direct mid Jul, fall crop only
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun
Water
Even, never dry; any drought invites bolting
Harvest
Oct, before hard freeze

Celeriac

Long season.

Indoors
10 wk (Feb)
Outside
Transplant mid May
Where
Raised bed or in ground, rich soil
Sun
Full sun
Water
Never dry; a parched week marks the root
Harvest
Oct to Nov, better after frost

Onions & garlic

Leek

Hill to blanch the shank.

Indoors
10 to 12 wk (late Feb)
Outside
Transplant spring
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun
Water
Steady all season; a dry leek stops sizing
Harvest
Sep to Dec, very hardy

Scallions (bunching)

Direct Apr onward; pull anytime; often overwinters.

Outside
Direct Apr onward
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun
Water
In dry spells; finger the top half inch
Harvest
60 to 80 days, pull anytime

Garlic

Plant cloves Oct; scapes Jun, bulbs mid Jul. Hardneck for 6b (Music, German Extra Hardy).

Outside
Plant cloves in Oct
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun
Water
Even in spring; dry down before the July lift
Harvest
Scapes Jun; bulbs mid Jul

Greens & herbs

Basil

Pinch flowers to prolong the picking.

Indoors
6 wk (early Apr)
Outside
Direct after soil warms, late May
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun
Water
Even moisture; soak every 3 to 4 days in July, water early
Harvest
Continuous, Jun to frost

Spinach

Bolts in summer heat; spring and fall crops.

Outside
Direct Apr, then Aug to Sep
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun; afternoon shade stretches spring
Water
Even moisture every 5 to 7 days; never let it dry
Harvest
40 to 50 days

Swiss chard

Tolerates heat and light frost; cuts all season.

Outside
Direct Apr to May
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun; takes part shade
Water
Deep soak twice a week; finger test
Harvest
Continuous, Jun to frost

Malabar / NZ spinach

Thrives in July to August when true spinach bolts.

Outside
Direct late May to Jun, warm nights
Where
Trellis for Malabar; NZ sprawls in a bed
Sun
Full sun; heat is the point
Water
Deep soak through heat; finger test
Harvest
Jul to Sep, pick the tips

Arugula

Fast succession.

Outside
Direct Apr and Sep, sown thick
Where
Any gap: raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun in the cool months
Water
Light and often; keep the top inch damp
Harvest
May to Jun, then Oct to Nov

Collards

Heat and cold tolerant BBQ side.

Indoors
6 wk (Apr)
Outside
Transplant in May
Where
In ground or raised bed
Sun
Full sun; takes part shade
Water
Deep soak 2x a week; trowel test 2 in down
Harvest
Jun to Dec, sweetest after frost

Cilantro & dill

Succession sow; both bolt in heat.

Outside
Direct Apr, again mid Aug
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun; light shade slows the bolt
Water
Every few days; dry roots trigger bolt
Harvest
May to Jun, then Sep to Oct

Parsley

Start 8 wk.

Indoors
8 wk (Mar)
Outside
Transplant in May
Where
Raised bed or in ground
Sun
Full sun or part shade
Water
Even moisture; goes tough if it dries out
Harvest
Jun to Nov, cut outer stems

Thyme, oregano, chives & sage

Perennial here.

Outside
Plant once in spring
Where
In ground, a lean dry corner
Sun
Full sun
Water
Dry out between soaks; chives want a bit more
Harvest
May to Oct, cut as needed

Rosemary

In a pot, overwintered indoors.

Outside
Out after mid May, in before frost
Where
A pot; winters on a cool bright sill
Sun
Every ray it can get
Water
Soak when the top inch dries; never wet feet
Harvest
Jun to Oct, a sprig at a time

Mint & lemongrass

A container only; they spread.

Outside
Set plants out after mid May
Where
A contained pot; mint escapes beds
Sun
Full sun; mint forgives some shade
Water
Often, even daily in heat; lift-test the pot
Harvest
Jun to Oct, cut as needed

Perennials

Asparagus

Crowns in Apr, permanent bed. No harvest yr 1, light yr 2, full yr 3+.

Outside
Plant crowns in Apr, permanent bed
Where
In ground, or deep raised bed
Sun
Full sun
Water
Deep soak first two summers; then mostly rain
Harvest
Spears Apr to Jun

Horseradish

Root cuttings in Apr; vigorous, contain it.

Outside
Plant root cuttings in Apr
Where
In ground boxed in, bin, or deep bag
Sun
Full sun to part shade
Water
Only in a real dry spell; mulch holds the rest
Harvest
Roots late fall after frost

Rhubarb

Harvest from year two.

Outside
Plant crowns early fall, permanent corner
Where
In ground, deep rich soil
Sun
Full sun; afternoon shade is fine
Water
Weekly deep soak; finger test, mulch holds it
Harvest
Apr to Jun, from year two

Strawberries

Bags or a bed.

Outside
Plant crowns in Apr
Where
Bed for June-bearers; bags for day-neutrals
Sun
Full sun
Water
Deep soak every 3 to 4 days; finger test
Harvest
Jun flush from year two; day-neutrals to Aug

Flowers & companions

Companion flowers: pest control, pollinators, and something to look at.

Nasturtium

Edible; aphid trap crop.

Outside
Direct after mid May
Where
Bed edges, poor soil
Sun
Full sun; takes light shade
Water
Soak in at sowing; then a finger test in dry spells
Harvest
Leaves and flowers, Jun to Oct

Marigold

Pest deterrent among tomatoes and peppers.

Outside
Direct mid May, or set six-packs
Where
Bed edges, among tomatoes and peppers
Sun
Full sun
Water
Even while young; water when dry a knuckle down

Borage

Pollinators; great with cucumbers and squash.

Outside
Direct mid May; self-sows after
Where
In ground, near the squash and cucumbers
Sun
Full sun; takes light shade
Water
Water young plants in; grown, it lives on rain
Harvest
Flowers and young leaves, Jun to Oct

Calendula

Edible petals, easy.

Outside
Direct mid May
Where
Flower row or bed edge
Sun
Full sun
Water
Moderate, then dry-tolerant; water at the base
Harvest
Petals Jun to Oct, pick often

Sunflowers

For the birds and the view.

Outside
Direct mid May, after frost
Where
In ground, along a fence
Sun
Full sun
Water
Rarely once rooted; a deep soak in droughts