In a greenhouse or cold frame, sow seeds for arugula, asparagus, beets, broccoli, carrots, fennel, lettuce, peas, spinach, strawberries and turnips.
Harvest
Harvest leafy greens and root vegetables.
Journal
Start a garden journal, if you haven't done so already.
Note last year's successes and improvements you wish to make for the new year.
Maintenance
Clean and sharpen garden tools.
Purchase or replace garden tools, if needed.
Prune
Prune fruit trees, rose bushes, grapevines and non-flowering trees.
Do not prune spring-blooming shrubs andtrees at this time.
Soil
Start a compost system, if you haven't done so already.
Start Seeds Indoors
Start seeds under grow lights for broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, lettuce, pansies and onions.
Transplant Outside
Gently harden off seedlings and then move them outside for arugula, asparagus, beets, broccoli, carrots, fennel, lettuce, peas, spinach, strawberries and turnips.
Wildlife
Attract birds with a bird feeder to keep garden free of unwanted insects.
February Activities
Direct Sow
Sow seeds for arugula, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, kale, lettuce, mustard greens, peas, radishes, spinach, swiss chard and turnips.
Harvest
Harvest herbs, kale, leeks and other cool-weather vegetables.
Houseplants
Repot houseplants that have outgrown their containers.
Maintenance
Clean and sharpen garden tools.
Move clean leaves and debris from garden beds to compost.
If frost is still an issue, continue to use frost protection or a greenhouse.
Prune
Hard-prune dormant perennials.
Do not prune flowering shrubs at this time; e.g., azalea, daphne, forsythia, japonica, rhododendron, viburnum and weigela.
Soil
Add compost and an organic fertilizer to the garden.
Add an organic mulch to the garden beds.
Start Seeds Indoors
Based on the last frost date, start seeds under grow lights for eggplant, lettuce, peppers, squash and tomatoes.
Transplant Outside
Gently harden-off and move seedlings outside for beets, bok choy, broccoli, cauliflower, kohlrabi, lettuce, peas, radishes, spinach and swiss chard.
This is a good time to plant shrubs and trees.
Wildlife
Clean and fill bird feeders.
March Activities
Direct Sow
Sow seeds for beans, beets, cabbage, carrots, kale, lettuce, onions, peppers, spinach and tomatoes.
Journal
Research companion plants that may reduce unwanted pests and disease.
List and purchase bare root plants; e.g., berry bushes, fruit trees and roses.
Maintenance
Clean and sharpen garden tools.
Repair or replace garden tools, if needed.
Pull weeds and organically control them.
Prune
Prune grapevines and fruit trees.
Remove damaged or dead limbs.
Hard-prune dormant perennials.
Do not prune flowering shrubs at this time; e.g., azalea, daphne, forsythia, rhododendron, viburnum and weigela.
Soil
Have a soil sample tested at a nearby extension office.
Gather information and get gardening advice from an expert at the extension office.
Amend soil based on test results.
Add a few inches of organic mulch to garden.
Add an organic fertilizer around citrus trees.
Start Seeds Indoors
Based on the last frost date, start seeds indoors under grow lights for beans, beets, cabbage, carrots, eggplant, kale, lettuce, onions, peppers, spinach, squash and tomatoes.
Transplant Outside
Plant peas, potatoes, pansies and snapdragons.
Gently harden-off and move seedlings outdoors for broccoli and cauliflower.
Wildlife
Clean and fill bird feeders.
April Activities
Direct Sow
Based on the last frost date in your area, sow seeds for beets, corn, kale, lettuce, potatoes, spinach and swiss chard.
Harvest
Harvest cool-weather vegetables from cold-frames or from a greenhouse; e.g., arugula, beets, brussels sprouts, carrots, chervil, chives, fennel, kale, leeks, lettuce, onions, parsnips, peas, spinach and swiss chard.
Journal
Make a shopping list of garden supplies.
Research companion plants that may help reduce unwanted pests and disease.
Maintenance
Add sticky traps around the garden to catch unwanted insects.
Pull weeds and organically control them.
Prune
After blooms fall, prune flowering shrubs.
Hard-prune overgrown shrubs.
Remove dead or damaged limbs.
Soil
Have a soil sample tested at a nearby extension office, if you haven't done so already.
Get expert garden advice from the extension office.
Amend garden soil based on test results.
Spread an organic fertilizer around perennials and shrubs.
Add a few inches of an organic mulch to garden soil.
Start Seeds Indoors
Based on the last frost date in your area, start seeds under grow lights for alyssum, brussels sprouts, calendula, eggplant, marigolds, nasturtiums, okra, peppers, squash, tomatoes and watermelon.
Transplant Outside
Gently harden-off seedlings and move them outside for cucumbers, eggplant, peppers and tomatoes.
Wildlife
Add a hummingbird feeder or plants that attract hummingbirds.
Add a birdhouse for nesting.
Clean and fill bird feeders and birdbaths.
Keep birdbaths filled with fresh, clean water to also prevent mosquito infestation.
May Activities
Direct Sow
Sow seeds for beans, corn, cucumbers, okra and squash.
Harvest
Pick lettuce and peas so they will keep producing.
Harvest beets, broccoli, cauliflower and kale.
Maintenance
Add or replace sticky traps to catch unwanted insects in the garden.
Pull weeds and organically control them.
Soil
Start a compost system, if you haven't done so already.
Spread an organic fertilizer around perennials and shrubs.
Amend soil based on test results from a nearby extension office.
Add a few inches of organic mulch to the garden.
Install an irrigation system, if needed.
Transplant Outside
Gently harden-off seedlings and move them outside for beans, brussels sprouts, cucumber, eggplant, melons, okra, peppers, squash and tomatoes.
Research companion plants that may help to solve any issues that were found.
Revisit the list of vegetables that you wish to grow in the fall.
Make a shopping list of seed starting supplies you may need.
Determine where fall vegetables will be planted.
Maintenance
Pull weeds and organically control them.
Remove standing water to prevent mosquito infestation.
Add or replace sticky traps to catch unwanted insects in the garden.
Attend to plants that may be stressed; e.g., provide shade or water.
Prune
Deadhead annuals and perennials.
Remove female flowers from pumpkins.
Pinch off basil.
Remove tomato suckers, prune tomato plants and remove old plants.
Prune eggplant and peppers.
Trim any overlapping leaves from squash.
Except for dead or damaged limbs, stop pruning shrubs.
Soil
Add organic fertilizer and organic mulch.
Thoroughly water vegetable garden, container plants and trees.
Start Seeds Indoors
Start seeds under grow lights for cool-season crops.
Transplant Outside
Plant cosmos, calendula, marigolds, sunflowers and zinnias.
Plant basil, eggplant, peppers and tomatoes
At the end of the month, gently harden-off seedlings and move them outside under some shade for broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale and swiss chard.
Wildlife
Clean and fill bird feeders.
September Activities
Direct Sow
Sow succession crops for carrots, kale, lettuce, radishes and spinach.
Harvest
Save, dry and label seeds from high-performing plants.
Harvest apples and remaining vegetables before frost arrives.
Journal
Make a note of successes along with improvements that you would like to make.
Organize seed packets and finish the shopping list for fall seeds and supplies.
Maintenance
Pull weeds and organically control them.
Remove plant debris.
Build structures like raised beds, hoop houses or a greenhouse.
Extend the season by adding cold frames and frost covers.
Bring potted plants indoors.
Prune
Stop pruning shrubs and trees.
Remove foliage from pumpkins.
Pinch female flowers from eggplant, melons, pumpkin, squash and tomatoes.
Soil
Add organic fertilizer and organic mulch to the vegetable garden, if needed.
Stop fertilizing and mulching shrubs and trees.
Ensure vegetable garden and container plants are hydrated.
Start Seeds Indoors
Any cool-season favorites that you start indoors will need winter protection when the time comes to transplant them outside.
Transplant Outside
Plant anemones, asters, cosmos, marigolds, nasturtiums and mums for fall color.
Plant new perennials and shrubs.
Plant garlic and shallots.
Consider planting a cover crop for unused areas.
Wildlife
Clean and fill bird feeders.
October Activities
Direct Sow
Sow seeds in a greenhouse or other protected structure for beets, bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, garlic, lettuce, mustard, parsnips, radishes, shallots and turnips.
Start a garden journal, if you haven't done so already.
Note last season's successes and improvements you wish to make.
Make a plan to rotate crops next spring.
Start a shopping list of seeds and seed-starting supplies needed for next spring.
Maintenance
If you are extending the growing season, have frost covers or other weather-protecting tools ready to use.
Clean and sharpen garden tools.
Pull weeds and manage them organically.
Clear away garden debris.
Continue to add organic matter to the compost.
Add organic mulch to any unused soil.
Consider building a greenhouse, hoop house or raised beds.
Bring houseplants indoors, if you haven't done so already.
Prune
Thin cool-season crops that you planted last month, if any.
Soil
Have a soil sample tested at a nearby extension office.
Get expert garden advice from the extension office.
Amend garden soil based on test results so nutrients can breakdown in time for spring.
Water garden thoroughly before a freeze hits.
Stop fertilizing plants that become dormant during the winter.
Start Seeds Indoors
Start seeds for herbs and microgreens under grow lights or near a window.
Transplant Outside
Plant asters, dianthus, pansies, mums, snapdragons and hardy perennials.
Plant dill, garlic, leeks and onions.
Gently harden-off seedlings, if you have them, and move them outdoors to a weather-protected structure.
Wildlife
Clean and fill bird feeders.
December Activities
Harvest
Harvest carrots, leafy greens, lettuce and other cool-season crops.
Journal
Research companion plants that may help reduce pests and prevent disease.
Start a shopping list of garden supplies that you may need when spring arrives.
Maintenance
Clean and sharpen garden tools.
Add healthy organic matter to the compost.
Prune
Cut back spent plants to about 6 inches.
Soil
Add a thick layer of organic mulch to unused garden beds.
Start Seeds Indoors
Start seeds under grow lights for plants that have a long germination period.
Plant herbs and lettuce under grow lights.
Transplant Outside
In a greenhouse or cold frame, try planting eggplant, peppers, lettuce and tomatoes.
Where the garden gets the most sun, plant arugula, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, lettuce, mustard greens, peas, radishes, spinach, swiss chard and turnips and have frost covers ready to use.