Growing StrongA MonthA MonthA MonthA Month----bybybyby----Month Garden CalendarMonth Garden CalendarMonth Garden CalendarMonth Garden Calendar
for Southeastern Idahofor Southeastern Idahofor Southeastern Idahofor Southeastern Idaho
A few caveats:A few caveats:A few caveats:A few caveats:
• Keep in mind that in Idaho what Keep in mind that in Idaho what Keep in mind that in Idaho what Keep in mind that in Idaho what
might have been true in March last might have been true in March last might have been true in March last might have been true in March last
year may not be true until May this year may not be true until May this year may not be true until May this year may not be true until May this
year year year year ---- or viceor viceor viceor vice----versa!versa!versa!versa!
• Always determine soil moisture Always determine soil moisture Always determine soil moisture Always determine soil moisture
levels before working your soil as levels before working your soil as levels before working your soil as levels before working your soil as
recommended in any of the recommended in any of the recommended in any of the recommended in any of the
following guidelines.following guidelines.following guidelines.following guidelines.
• There are almost as many opinions There are almost as many opinions There are almost as many opinions There are almost as many opinions
about garden issues as there are about garden issues as there are about garden issues as there are about garden issues as there are
gardeners gardeners gardeners gardeners –––– keep experimenting to keep experimenting to keep experimenting to keep experimenting to
find what works in your specific find what works in your specific find what works in your specific find what works in your specific
conditions. conditions. conditions. conditions.
A few caveats:A few caveats:A few caveats:A few caveats:
• On the calendar On the calendar On the calendar On the calendar ““““startstartstartstart”””” refers to refers to refers to refers to
starting seeds indoors in containers starting seeds indoors in containers starting seeds indoors in containers starting seeds indoors in containers
and planting out when conditions are and planting out when conditions are and planting out when conditions are and planting out when conditions are
suitable.suitable.suitable.suitable.
• On the calendar On the calendar On the calendar On the calendar ““““direct sowdirect sowdirect sowdirect sow”””” means means means means
planting the seeds directly in the planting the seeds directly in the planting the seeds directly in the planting the seeds directly in the
ground.ground.ground.ground.
• If youIf youIf youIf you’’’’re not failing some of the time re not failing some of the time re not failing some of the time re not failing some of the time
youyouyouyou’’’’re not trying enough new things.re not trying enough new things.re not trying enough new things.re not trying enough new things.
• Embrace imperfection!Embrace imperfection!Embrace imperfection!Embrace imperfection!
Calendar categoriesCalendar categoriesCalendar categoriesCalendar categories
• PlanningPlanningPlanningPlanning
• MaintenanceMaintenanceMaintenanceMaintenance
• Seed StartingSeed StartingSeed StartingSeed Starting
• PlantingPlantingPlantingPlanting
• Soil BuildingSoil BuildingSoil BuildingSoil Building
• PropagationPropagationPropagationPropagation
• Harvest and Food StorageHarvest and Food StorageHarvest and Food StorageHarvest and Food Storage
• Just for Fun!Just for Fun!Just for Fun!Just for Fun!
This entire presentation will be posted on This entire presentation will be posted on This entire presentation will be posted on This entire presentation will be posted on
the IFCGA website at the IFCGA website at the IFCGA website at the IFCGA website at www.ifcga.orgwww.ifcga.orgwww.ifcga.orgwww.ifcga.org
JANUARY
� Make garden plan. Remember to rotate your crops
� Peruse garden catalogs
Hot prospects: note season length, sunlight &
water needs
� Inventory seeds
� Inventory seed starting supplies, order as needed
� Order seeds - the earlier the better - See our seed company list with links at www.ifcga.org
� Get (or get out) garden
notebook. Review notes from last year and start seed/plant list
� Set up garden calendar to identify planting times
throughout the spring
� Evaluate last year's garden and research
areas of concern or interest
PLANNING
Enter spring frost-free date
(include year):
05/20/2011
mm/dd/yyyy
When To start inside
Safe time to set out plants
(relative to frost-
free date)
Setting-out date
Crop
Number
of weeks
to start seeds before
setting-out
date
From To From To
Artichoke 8 25-Mar on frost-free date 20-May
Basil 6 15-Apr 1 week after 27-May
Beets* 4 to 6 25-Mar 8-Apr 2 weeks before 6-May
Broccoli 4 to 6 25-Mar 8-Apr 2 weeks before 6-May
Cabbage 4 to 6 8-Apr 25-Mar 4 weeks before 20-May 22-Apr
Cauliflower 4 to 6 8-Apr 8-Apr 2 weeks before 20-May 6-May
Celery & celeriac
10 to 12 4-Mar 18-Mar 1 week after 27-May
Collards 4 to 6 11-Mar 25-Mar 4 weeks before 22-Apr
Corn
salad/mache 4 to 6 25-Feb 1-Apr 3 to 6 weeks before 8-Apr 29-Apr
Corn* 2 to 4 22-Apr 20-May 0 to 2 weeks after 20-May 3-Jun
Cucumber 3 to 4 29-Apr 13-May 1 to 2 weeks after 27-May 3-Jun
Eggplant 8 to 10 25-Mar 15-Apr 2 to 3 weeks after 3-Jun 10-Jun
Kale 4 to 6 11-Mar 25-Mar 4 weeks before 22-Apr
Kohlrabi* 4 to 6 11-Mar 25-Mar 4 weeks before 22-Apr
Johnny’s Selected Seeds Interactive Calculators have
handy tools for calculating the correct dates for starting, direct sowing and transplanting your seeds and plants,
and much more. Go to www.johnnyseeds.com
As you’re planning think about what makes the best
use of your garden space but still is easy to navigate.
Single rows
Wide rows
JANUARY
� Watch trees for damaging
snow loads
� Use sand or sawdust-based
products to deal with icy spots near beds or lawn
MAINTENANCE
� For our orderly gardeners this is a good time
to clean, sharpen, and oil tools so they’ll be ready to go when you need them
JANUARY
� Clean/disinfect pots and
planters by soaking in a solution of 1 part bleach and 9
parts water for 1 hour. If you
have salt deposits add 1 part
vinegar and increase soak to
12 hours.
� Be sure you have good quality potting soil - do
not use soil from the garden or cheap versions from discount stores
SEED STARTING
� Do a germination test if seeds are old or were poorly
stored
� Get your plant stand up, lights and timer connected,
insulate from cold if necessary
� Put the Feb 1 Class on your calendar - Get Growing:
Seed Starting & Transplanting Basics
JANUARYSOIL BUILDING
� Get our Feb 15 class, Healthy
Soils I: The Soil Foodwebwith Dr Elaine Ingham on
your calendar; learn the basics
of healthy soil from a world-
renowned soil microbiologist.
Healthy soil = healthy plants = healthy food
JANUARYPROPAGATION
� If you want to save seeds from some of your plants this
season begin researching the
plants and methods that you
will need. Seed Saver’s
Exchange (seedsavers.org) is
a good resource!
JANUARYHARVEST & STORAGE
� Check on stored veggies
� Make garlic powder if garlic is
starting to sprout
� Continue harvesting carrots, parsnips
and leeks that are covered with straw in the garden (if the voles haven’t already
harvested them for you!)
JANUARYJUST FOR FUN!
� Plant your own ginger plant
indoors
� Cool-grown, super-early
tomatoes can be started at the end of the month
� If you have a good enough
light source plant some basil, cilantro or dill for a
delicious early harvest.
FEBRUARY
� Complete seed orders
(including potatoes)
PLANNING
� Review January calendar to
catch anything you missed
� Do some soil research –these
videos are excellent. remember that you're feeding the soil, not
the plant!
� Order or buy soil amendments so you have them on
hand for next month
� Anticipate usual pests problems and be sure you have
what you need on hand, i.e. cabbage butterflies will require either floating row cover or Bt spray. Jan 25
class is Organic Insect and Disease Control!
www.ifcga.org/healthy soil.html
FEBRUARY
� Good time to prune trees while
still dormant (exceptions:
maple and birch)
� Prepare beds that thaw early
(near house or reflective wall)
MAINTENANCE
� Cut back plants like geraniums
that have been wintered over in the house
FEBRUARY
� Start onions, leeks, shallots
� Start seeds of annuals which require a long growing season, e.g. lobelia,
petunia, snapdragon, etc
SEED STARTING
� If you have a cold frame or greenhouse consider
direct sowing cold tolerant greens towards the end of the month. Be prepared for hard frosts with row
cover or blankets, etc!
� Check the garden calendar
that you made last month to see what needs to be
planted!
FEBRUARYSOIL BUILDING
� Watch any – or all – of the
informative videos on our new page devoted especially to
understanding soil health; you’ll
find Dr Buz Kloot, Dr Elaine
Ingham, NRCS and even some
curriculum resources there.
� Check it out here: www.ifcga.org/healthy soil.html
or go to www.ifcga.org and follow the Building Healthy Soil links on the Main Menu page
FEBRUARY
� Use the geranium cuttings to
start plants for use outdoors later in the spring
PROPAGATION
� Bring out bulbs forced in
November, water and put in
bright room
� If you are using walls of water you can plant some tomatoes
at the end of the month for
putting out in mid-April
FEBRUARY
�Start celery and/or celeriac
seeds!
JUST FOR FUN!
�Start artichokes for planting
out in walls o' water in late
March
MARCH
� Remove heavy mulch from garden beds but do
not work the soil until it has dried out enough to do ball soil test
MAINTENANCE
� Divide perennials now through May - earlier the
better but watch your soil moisture
� Remove quackgrass, etc.
by digging and extracting all its nefarious roots as
soon as it emerges
� Install drip irrigation system as
soon as soil is dry enough
� Remove dead stalks, etc. from last year's
perennials
� Once soil dries adequately (use the ball test)
break out the bio-fork* and start loosening soil and working in compost
� Apply soy-based dormant oil when buds start to
swell but before they are open
� For the rest of us, search the garden for all the
tools forgotten in the fall and check condition *More vigorous methods, like a tiller, may be necessary for a new garden site
MARCH
� Later in month is a good time to
start most tomatoes
SEED STARTING
� Start brassicas; cauliflower,
cabbage, broccoli, kale, etc.
� Check the garden calendar
that you made in January to see what needs to be started
or planted!
MARCH
� Add compost to beds but do
not work in if soil is still wet
SOIL BUILDING
� Turn the compost pile as soon as you can.
Start a new one from the unfinished goodies in the current one
� Send off soil test if you're
doing one
� Add soil amendments if snow
is gone and soil is workable -
otherwise wait until April
Compost pile
MARCH
� Direct sow greens, radishes and peas in the garden
if you are feeling frisky! Be prepared to cover!
PLANTING
� Transplant rhubarb before it
shows signs of new growth
� Direct sow peas, greens, radishes in
protected beds near house or in cold frame. Be prepared to cover!
� Check planting calendar to
see what needs to be started now
� If you started artichokes you may begin putting
them out in walls ‘o water at the end of the month. Be prepared to cover!
MARCHHARVEST & STORAGE
� As weather warms complete
harvesting of carrots, parsnips, and leeks
� Keep an eye on storage squash - process for freezer if
necessary
� Leave some parsnips in the
ground if you want to collect seeds (biennial) or have a
self-sown crop
� Storage onions and shallots
(choose varieties for storage)
should still be good but watch for the occasional sprouter and
remove
MARCH
�Try forcing flowering shrubs
like forsythia, pussy willow,
apple (protect from aridity
and too much warmth)
JUST FOR FUN!
APRIL
� Remove mulch from roses and other flowering
plants that were protected over the winter
MAINTENANCE
� Keep ahead of weeds:
remove perennials by
digging, annuals by pulling or cutting off
(before seeds form)
� Start sheet mulching pathways*
� Get out your Cobrahead and keep it at your
side for the next 5 months – you’ll use it for everything!
� Remove old canes from raspberries
� Install support for peas with tall growth habit
� Turn the drip system on and check for leaks or
other problems
APRIL
� Remove mulch from roses and other flowering
plants that were protected over the winter
MAINTENANCE
� Keep ahead of weeds:
remove perennials by
digging, annuals by pulling or cutting off
(before seeds form)
� Start sheet mulching pathways*
� Get out your Cobrahead and keep it at your
side for the next 5 months – you’ll use it for everything!
� Remove old canes from raspberries
� Install support for peas with tall growth habit
� Turn the drip system on and check for leaks or
other problems
APRILMAINTENANCE
*Sheet mulching Quick & Dirty
� After clearing existing weeds
from the pathway add a layer of
overlapping cardboard or several
layers of newspaper; water thoroughly
� Top with 3-6” (or more) of
leaves, grass clippings (untreated), straw, old hay, wood
chips. This being southeastern
Idaho be sure to go all the way to
the edges so the wind can’t
catch the edge and whip the
whole shebang into Wyoming
� Water lightly again. Using the
pathway will pretty quickly
compress the materials
� The mulch will suppress weeds and conserve moisture. It will
decompose over the next year
but the positive benefits often
last for a second year.
APRIL
� Can start tomatoes as late as
mid-April
SEED STARTING
� Check the garden calendar!
� Start peppers, eggplants
� Late in the month is a fine time to start okra but you can also wait a couple more weeks
APRILSOIL BUILDING
� Put finished compost in beds
as seeds and starts are planted
� Keep adding to the new
compost, balancing greens and browns as much as you can
� Don’t walk on your garden
beds or any soil that you intend to plant
� As soil dries out sufficiently, cut down cover crop
and turn it gently. Keep moist while it's breaking down
APRILPLANTING
� Check planting calendar to
see what needs to be sown now
� Transplant onions, leeks
� Direct sow peas, greens,
radishes, carrots, parsnips and other cool weather crops
like turnips, rutabagas, etc
� Transplant brassicas late in the month. Cover with
row cover or monitor for cabbage butterflies, using Bt
as needed. Be prepared to cover if temperatures are
forecast to be 32 degrees F or less
� Plant potatoes under straw later in the month
� Plant or transplant strawberries and raspberries
APRILPLANTING
�Allow at least a week
to harden off plants
before planting out in
the garden!
� Start with 1hr in a sunny location then double each
day until out all day. Take wind conditions into
account. Start over if weather forces plants indoors for more than a day or two. If nighttime temps allow
you can leave them out overnight.
APRILHARVEST & STORAGE
� Keep cutting your fall-sown
spinach and greens to ensure longer harvest
� Compost all the old and moldy stored produce – good start for
this year’s new compost pile
APRILJUST FOR FUN!
�Transplant those early
tomatoes at the end of the month if you have walls o’
water or other serious
protection (like a
greenhouse)
�Be prepared to add
additional cover if necessary
MAYPLANNING
� Use your garden notebook to keep tabs on
plant health, yield, flavor, harvest time, etc. throughout the summer - this will help you
make more informed choices next season
� Update your garden plan as
necessary – the better your notes are now the more
helpful they will be when
making decisions for next
year
You’ll love yourself
when next season comes around!
MAYMAINTENANCE
� Keep ahead of weeds
using your Cobrahead, a stirrup or regular hoe or
winged weeder and
copious quantities of
organic mulch
� Keep sheet mulching pathways (see April Maintenance)
� Start supporting tomatoes as needed
MAYSEED STARTING
� Start tender herbs like basil
� Start cukes, melons, pumpkins, etc. 2-3 weeks
before planting out
� To give warmth-loving annual flowers like zinnias, cosmos and marigolds a head-start
you can start some this month
MAYSOIL BUILDING
� Turn compost and continue
adding greens and browns. Water if necessary
� Continue to add compost and
other soil amendments as necessary when planting
Compost close-up
MAYPLANTING
� Continue with small plantings of greens,
radishes, etc. every couple of weeks until weather is hot
� Transplant tomatoes and peppers towards the
end of the month. Be prepared to cover!
� Direct sow beets, chard,
kohlrabi, carrots, etc.
� Direct sow zucchini and other
squash later in the month
� Stagger sowings of corn by 2 weeks or select
varieties with different “days to maturity” to lengthen harvest (at least 4’x4’ block of each type)
� Plant potatoes
MAYHARVEST & STORAGE
� Harvest your rhubarb and
strawberries at their peak for
immediate use, freezing or
making jams or syrups
� When harvesting lettuce and
other greens cut to about 2" to encourage continued
production
MAYJUST FOR FUN!
� Take a leisurely but attentive
stroll in your garden at least
a couple of times/week
JUNEPLANNING
� Use Johnny’s Selected Seeds Fall planting calculator to determine appropriate planting
dates. Go to johnnyseeds.com
� Begin thinking about planting
for fall harvest. Start by making a list of what you
want to be harvesting come
fall, i.e., greens, spinach,
Napa cabbages, etc.
Handy tool for planning
fall harvest plant dates
JUNEMAINTENANCE
� Don't let weeds go to seed –
your diligence now will be rewarded a hundredfold!
� If cool weather crops are
up and growing strong start mulching their beds
� Put up trellises or fences for
climbing plants like pole beans, cukes
� Observe your plants carefully to catch early insects - hand pick
or go to www.groworganic.com
for solutions
� Keep your annual flowers deadheaded to encourage
blooming
� Provide support to tomatoes as
needed
� Monitor for cabbage butterflies;
cover with row cover or apply Bt as needed
JUNESEED STARTING
� Everything can now go
directly into the soil
� Towards the end of the
month you can start lettuce seedlings to plant out in the
coolest part of the garden in
July
� Some fall harvest plants may need
to be planted this month – use your fall harvest planting calculator to
determine dates
JUNESOIL BUILDING
� If you are actively managing your compost pile turn it
again. Keep tabs on the
moisture level
Compost pile
� Mark plants as soon as you
select them with colored yarn or tags to help identify them once
it’s time to collect the seeds
PROPAGATION
� Begin monitoring plants that
exhibit characteristics you
want to preserve: vigor,
taste, fragrance, etc.
� Use the research you did in January to
understand what kind of preparations
are necessary to successfully save your desired varieties of seeds
JUNE
JUNEPLANTING
� Continue with small plantings of greens, radishes, etc. every couple of weeks until
weather is hot
� Sow more corn early in the
month
� Divide and replant Dutch
irises once blooming is finished (add some
compost, too)
� Direct sow annual flowers that like warmth
like zinnias, cosmos, marigolds
JUNEHARVEST & STORAGE
� Thin carrots and beets.
Steam baby beets for a delicious treat!
� Start watching peas – when
the pods have filled out they
are ready to harvest (a lot of happy sampling may be
required!)
� Pick produce when prime to keep plants producing - donate excess to friends, neighbors
or those in need
JUNEJUST FOR FUN!
� Try sowing some soybeans,
lima beans, black beans, black-eyed peas or other
dried bean varieties
� Build a scarecrow!
JULYMAINTENANCE
� Keep weeding – this is
the month when continued effort is the
most challenging – and
the most important!
� Mulch warm weather crops as temperatures heat up – an organic mulch will conserve moisture,
suppress weeds, and eventually break down and
enrich the soil
JULYSEED STARTING
� Continue to start lettuce
seedlings to plant out in the coolest part of the garden
� Start Chinese cabbage
seedlings for fall harvest -plant out when they are 4
weeks old
JULYSOIL BUILDING
� Once garlic is harvested
plant a succession crop of beans or a cover crop of
buckwheat
� Monitor moisture level of
compost and supplement if necessary
� Start a new compost pile if existing one is
nearly finished
JULYPLANTING
� Direct sow Chinese
cabbage for fall harvest
� Once garlic is harvested
plant a succession crop of beans or a cover crop of
buckwheat or summer mix
� Review June’s fall planting
schedule to see if other seeds need to be sown now
JULYHARVEST & STORAGE
� Start watching beans for
harvestable size
� Watch early cabbage for
signs of cracking and harvest if necessary
� Pull back straw on potatoes
that have finished blossoming
to check for usable tubers
� Harvest fruit at its peak for drying, freezing,
syrups, etc. (apricots, raspberries, cherries, and summer apples)
� Harvest garlic and hang in dry, shaded location
to cure for 4 weeks
JULYJUST FOR FUN!
� Make apricot or other fruit
leather
� Make a mosaic stepping stone
or garden decoration with a little person
AUGUSTMAINTENANCE
� Yes, weeding is still
important!
� Ease off on the watering
schedule
� Avoid evening sprinkling
� Keep touring the garden – observe the web of life
you are supporting!
AUGUSTSOIL BUILDING
� As crops are harvested plant
a succession crop of beans if there’s time or, if not, a fall
cover crop mix
� Keep adding to the compost
pile and monitoring moisture
AUGUSTPLANTING
� Direct sow greens and
cilantro for a fall crop
� As crops are harvested sow a summer cover crop in the
empty beds (switch to a fall
or winter cover crop at the
end of the month)
AUGUSTPROPAGATION
� If you are planning to save
seeds now is the time to start monitoring the selected
plants. Start with easy ones
like lettuce, arugula, spinach,
orach, beans, hollyhocks,
tomatoes
AUGUSTHARVEST & STORAGE
� Harvest onions when the
tops tip over; dry for a couple
of weeks in a dry, shaded
location – spreading them
out on a screen in the garage
works well
� Continue to monitor and
regularly harvest all of your
crops for extended production
AUGUSTJUST FOR FUN!
� Enter something in the
Eastern Idaho State Fair –
check out funatthefair.comor call 208 785-2480
SEPTEMBERMAINTENANCE
� You’ll be sorely tempted -
but don’t stop weeding yet!
� As plants quit producing move
them into the compost pile
� Be prepared to cover frost-sensitive plants
when (not if) temperatures drop
SEPTEMBERPLANTING
� Direct sow spinach for an
early spring crop next year
� As crops are harvested sow
a winter cover crop in the empty beds
SEPTEMBERHARVEST & STORAGE
� Trim garlic and pack into
mesh bags for storage in a
cool dry location
� Trim onions and pack into
mesh bags for storage in a
cool dry location
� If it’s been a good season you will now
have plenty of tomatoes for canning,
drying, or giving away!
� Select specimens of your best tomatoes (from as many different plants of the same variety as
possible) and save the seeds
SEPTEMBERHARVEST & STORAGE
� If you’re planning on making
fermented hot sauce keep an eye on your peppers,
covering as needed so that
you get as many red ripe
peppers as you can before
hard frosts descend
� The fall greens you sowed in
August should be ready for
cutting sometime this month
OCTOBERMAINTENANCE
� Keep your eye out as the beds get emptied and
seeded with a cover crop for weeds that
camouflaged themselves among the other plants
and went to seed. Carefully remove them.
� Remove any diseased plant
material from the garden –don’t compost!
� Clean up garden weeds
and other detritus –compost as much as
possible but be sure avoid
rhizomatous or seedy
weeds
� Put away trellises and other supports
� Pull up drip system, roll up
individual lengths, tie and
label for ease of reinstallation
next season
OCTOBERPLANTING
� Plant garlic cloves in soil enriched with the compost
you built over the summer
� Continue to fill in beds with
winter cover crops or cover with chopped leaves, grass
clippings, etc.
� To extend the harvest of fall
crops use a double layer of row cover
OCTOBERHARVEST & STORAGE
� Harvest winter squash,
pumpkins, cabbages, etc. before hard frost (28 degrees F)
� For maximum storage life store most produce in as cool a location as possible; if you can
control the humidity – even better!
� Store tomatoes at temps above 50 degrees F spread out in a single layer - plastic open-grid
planting trays work well. Don't store in a bucket!
� Harvest cabbage, Brussels
sprouts, and kale when
temperatures start dipping
below 24 degrees F
NOVEMBERMAINTENANCE
� Is there snow on the
ground? Yes. Hooray!
Now you can stop
weeding!
NOVEMBERHARVEST & STORAGE
� Cover the crops you want to
winter over with 10-12” of
loose straw
� Bring in the last of the hardy
brassicas
NOVEMBER
JUST FOR FUN!
� Plant bulbs into pots for late
winter forcing. Store in cold location for at least 12
weeks.
DECEMBER
JUST FOR FUN!
� Put garden books, tools, and
supplies on your Christmas list
(gift certificates for Seed Savers Exchange or one of the
seed catalogues are a treat)
� Check out those early bird
catalogs and scour the internet in anticipation of next year’s
adventure!