Table of Contents
Gardening in Zone 7 offers a diverse range of vegetable crops that can be planted throughout the year. Understanding the seasonal planting schedule helps maximize your garden’s productivity and ensures fresh produce from spring to fall. This guide provides month-by-month recommendations for vegetable planting tailored to Zone 7’s climate.
January
In January, focus on planning your garden and starting seeds indoors. Vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and lettuce can be started indoors to transplant later. Prepare your soil by adding compost and organic matter to ensure healthy growth when planting outdoors.
February
February is ideal for starting seeds indoors for tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and herbs. You can also begin direct sowing cool-season crops such as spinach, peas, and kale in protected beds or cold frames. Transplant hardy seedlings outdoors as the weather warms.
March
As temperatures rise, outdoor planting becomes more feasible. Direct sow carrots, radishes, lettuce, and mustard greens. Transplant seedlings of broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower. Start preparing beds for warm-season crops like tomatoes and peppers.
April
April marks the beginning of warm-season vegetable planting. Sow corn, beans, squash, and cucumbers directly into the garden. Continue transplanting tender seedlings of tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. Keep soil moist and mulched for optimal growth.
May
May is prime time for planting most warm-season vegetables. Direct sow melons, okra, and pumpkins. Transplant remaining warm-weather crops and start succession planting of quick-growing vegetables like lettuce and radishes for continuous harvests. Watch for late frosts and protect tender plants as needed.
June
June continues the warm planting season. Sow beans, corn, cucumbers, and summer squash. Maintain consistent watering and mulch to conserve moisture. Harvest early crops and prepare beds for fall planting.
July
July is ideal for harvesting summer vegetables and planting for fall. Sow second crops of beans, squash, and cucumbers. Start planning and planting cool-season crops like broccoli, cabbage, and kale for late summer or early fall harvests.
August
August is perfect for fall planting. Sow lettuce, spinach, radishes, and mustard greens directly into the garden. Transplant seedlings of broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. Keep up with watering and pest control to ensure healthy growth.
September
September signals the start of the cool season. Continue planting lettuce, spinach, radishes, and kale. Harvest summer crops and prepare beds for fall crops. Consider planting garlic and shallots for next year’s harvest.
October
October is ideal for planting cover crops and winter vegetables such as carrots, Brussels sprouts, and winter peas. Protect plants with mulch or row covers as temperatures drop. Finish harvests and clean up the garden for winter.
November
In November, focus on soil preparation and winter protection. Plant cover crops like clover or vetch to enrich soil. Harvest remaining vegetables and store them properly. Plan for next year’s garden layout and seed starting indoors.
December
December is a quiet month for planting, but it’s a good time to review your garden plans. Protect tender plants with mulch or covers if weather permits. Use this downtime to order seeds and prepare tools for the upcoming growing season.