| Can you give me some ideas of how to plant crops in succession? Which early crops can be followed by others that will have time to mature in my area? |
| Early plantings of peas, lettuce, baby carrots, spinach, baby beets, and early bush beans, which are usually "done" by July if you plant in May or earlier, can be followed by subsequent plantings of the same crops (except for peas, which don't like to germinate and grow in summer heat). Rotate the crops so that your second planting of root crops goes where the leafy greens had grown, and leaf crops where the fruiting (beans and peas) crops had been. Work some compost into the soil before planting the second round, as the first pass will have depleted nutrients with their quick spring growth. You can also start broccoli and kale in flats and transplant them to the midsummer garden for fall harvest. Summer planted seeds and transplants will need extra attention so they don't dry out - use mulch to moderate soil temperatures and maintain moisture. Seeds may need the protection of a sheet of fabric or a board to keep the soil most enough for germination - just keep an eye on them and remove the cover as soon as seeds sprout. Enjoy the extended bounty! |
