Vegetable Crops - When to Plant

Average frost dates in the 53588 zip code are September 28th through May 10th.
Many people wait until Memorial Day weekend to plant.
There are two different types of vegetables: Cool Season and Warm Season .
Cool season crops are vegetables that thrive in temperatures between 55°F and 75°F. 
Warm Season crops can be planted when temperatures reach above 70°F. ​
Often cool season crops are not affected by a light frost, but some are so be aware.
Cool Season Crops Not Affected By Frost
(Might want to protect the seedlings until established): Asparagus (perennial), Broad Bean, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Collard, Garlic, Kale, Kohirabi, Leek, Onion, Pea, Radish, Rhubarb (perennial), Rutabagas, Shallot Spinach & Turnip 
Cool Season Crops Affected by Frost
​Arugula, Asian Greens, Beets, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Chinese Cabbage, Endive, Lettuce, Mustard, Parsnip, Potato & Swiss Chard
​Warm Season Crops
Cantaloupe, Cucumber, Eggplant, Lima Bean, New Zealand Spinach, Pepper, Pumpkin, Snap Bean, Squash, Sweet Potato, Watermelon & all other vegetable
Top Vegetables Recommended for Community Gardens
These vegetables require less maintenance.
Plants can chill out in your plot for a bit until they're ready.
Basil, Beets, Cabbage, Eggplant, Garlic, Kale, Leeks, Onions, Parsley, Peppers (Sweet and Hot), Potatoes, Swiss Chard & Tomatoes

​Plant/Seed Quantity and Spacing for Row Planting
chart provided by Wid Yarnell

60 seeds = 30 holes with 2 seeds per hole
Not all seeds will germinate.  You may have to thin seedlings.
Squash, Pumpkins, Zucchini and Cucumbers (if not trellised) are vining plants and need a lot of space a garden plot.
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Links to Formal Description of Soils at the RVACG
Pillot Silt Loam (PcA)
Sparta Variant Loamy Sand (St)

​Deep Mulch Gardening and Edible Landscaping 
Resources provided by Roger Reynolds

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​Deep Mulch Gardening
Mulch, Mulch, Mulch Natures Weed (Control) and Feed 
Vegetable Gardening 101

Video Links:
Composting Wisconsin Gardener
Lasagna Gardening Wisconsin Gardener 

Helpful Tips for New and Seasoned Gardeners

HELPFUL LINKS ON A VARIETY OF TOPICS:
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
Glossary of Botanical Terms
Garden Planning Worksheet by Emily Martorano
Planting Guide
Handy Guide to Companion Gardening
Pollinator Friendly Plants That Are Easy to Grow 
​by R.E. Schneider
Veggie Chart for Cool/Warm Season Crops
Free Printable Garden Planner 
​Gardening Basics 
​Wisconsin Vegetable Planting Calendar
No Dig Gardening  
Square Foot Garden Plan Guide
RECOMMENDED BOOKS ON GARDENING: 
  • The American Horticultural Society's A to Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, Second Edition (Christopher Brickell)
  • The Beginner's Guide to Growing Heirloom Vegetables: The 100 Easiest-to-Grow, Tastiest Vegetables for Your Garden (Marie Iannotti)​
  • Greenhouse Gardener's Companion Revised and Expanded: Growing Food and Flowers in Your Greenhouse or Sunspace (Shane Smith)
  • Seed to Seed: Seed Saving and Growing Techniques for Vegetable Gardeners, Second Edition (Suzanne Ashworth, Photography by David Cavagnaro)
  • ​The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World (Michael Pollan)
  • The Drunken Botanist (Amy Stewart)
  • The Wisconsin Garden Guide (Jerry Minnich)
REFERENCES FOR FRUITING PLANTS: 
Aronia: Native Shrubs with Untapped Potential
Criticial Period for Frost Damage on Fruit Trees
Common Crops for Community Gardens​
Fertilizing Small Fruits in the Home Garden
Growing Apples in Wisconsin
Growing Apricots, Cherries, Peaches, and Plums in Wisconsin
Growing Blueberries in Your Home Garden
Growing Currants, Gooseberries, and Elderberries in Wisconsin
Growing Grapes in Wisconsin
Growing Pears in Wisconsin
Growing Raspberries in Wisconsin
​Growing Strawberries in Wisconsin
Home Fruit Cultivars for Southern Wisconsin
Juneberry: For Commercial and Home Use on the Northern Great Plains​​
LINKS RELATED TO POLLINATORS: 
Insects and Pollinators by National Resources Conservation Service of US Department of Agriculture
​Monarch Waystation Program by Monarch Watch
Plant Native Plants to Help Nature by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Planting for Pollinators by the Nature Conservancy
Plants That Attract Butterflies from The Farmers Almanac
​Pollinators from National Wildlife Federation
​Pollinators from US Fish & Wildlife Service
Pollinators from Wisconsin Horticulture, a division of UW Extension 
Saving Wisconsin's Native Pollinators from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
What are Pollinators and why do we need them by Penn State University
​Who are the Pollinators by the Xerces Society
LINKS RELATED TO LANDSCAPING AND LAND MANAGEMENT: 
Adding Winter Interest to Landscapes​
Drought and Watering of Ornamental Plants​
Is my ash tree worth treating for emerald ash borer?​
Keeping Grass Alive During Extended Periods of Drought
Lawn Establishment and Renovation
Mulches for Home Gardens and Plantings
Organic Lawn Fertilization
Tree and Shrub Fertilization
BOOKS ON LANDSCAPING
  • Greenhouse Gardener's Companion Revised and Expanded: Growing Food and Flowers in Your Greenhouse or Sunspace
  • Lilacs: A Gardener's Encyclopedia (Fr. John L. Fiala and Freek Vrugtman)
  • The Complete How to Be a Gardener (Alan Titchmarsh)
  • The Complete Illustrated Guide to Japanese Gardening and Growing Bonsai (Charles Chesshire and Ken Norman)
  • The Impressionist Garden (Derek Fell)
  • The Well-Tended Perennial Garden: Planting and Pruning Techniques (Tracy DiSabato-Aust)