Printable Planting Calendar
Download our free printable planting calendar PDF to know exactly when to plant each crop in your region. Plan your garden year-round with our month-by-month planting guide.
Why Use Our Planting Calendar?
Perfect Timing
Know exactly when to plant each crop for your specific growing zone. Never miss the optimal planting window again.
Year-Round Planning
Plan your garden for all four seasons with our comprehensive month-by-month planting guide.
Region-Specific
Get planting recommendations tailored to your climate zone for the best possible results.
Printable Reference
Print and keep our calendar handy for quick reference while planning and planting your garden.
Planting Calendar by Month
| Month | What to Plant | Planting Tips |
|---|---|---|
|
January
|
Onions Garlic Indoor Seeds | Start seeds indoors for early spring crops. Plant garlic and onions in mild winter regions. |
|
February
|
Peas Lettuce Spinach | Start cool-season crops indoors or in cold frames. Prepare garden beds for spring planting. |
|
March
|
Broccoli Cabbage Carrots Radishes | Direct sow hardy vegetables. Transplant cool-season seedlings started indoors. |
|
April
|
Potatoes Beets Swiss Chard Herbs | Plant potatoes and root crops. Sow warm-season crops indoors. Harden off seedlings. |
|
May
|
Tomatoes Peppers Cucumbers Squash | Transplant warm-season crops after last frost. Direct sow beans and corn. |
|
June
|
Melons Corn Beans Succession Planting | Plant heat-loving crops. Start succession plantings of beans and fast-growing vegetables. |
|
July
|
Fall Crops Succession Planting Herbs | Start fall crops of broccoli, cabbage, and kale. Continue succession plantings. |
|
August
|
Lettuce Spinach Radishes Carrots | Sow fall vegetables. Plant garlic for next year. Harvest summer crops regularly. |
|
September
|
Kale Collards Turnips Mustard Greens | Plant hardy fall vegetables. Harvest remaining summer crops. Prepare beds for winter. |
|
October
|
Garlic Cover Crops Onions | Plant garlic and shallots. Sow cover crops. Harvest final summer crops. |
|
November
|
Winter Cover Crops Perennial Care | Plant winter cover crops. Protect tender perennials. Plan next year's garden. |
|
December
|
Garden Planning Tool Maintenance Seed Inventory | Plan next year's garden. Maintain tools. Take inventory of seeds and supplies. |
Download Your Free Printable Planting Calendar PDF
Get instant access to our comprehensive planting calendar. This PDF includes detailed month-by-month planting guides, tips for each season, and space to record your own planting dates.
How to Download the PDF:
- Click the "Download PDF" button below
- The PDF will automatically start downloading
- Check your browser's download folder
- Open the PDF file with any PDF reader
- Print it out to use while planning your garden
What's Inside Our Planting Calendar?
Comprehensive Planting Guide
Our printable planting calendar PDF includes detailed information for year-round gardening success. The guide features:
- Month-by-month planting recommendations
- What to plant each season
- Planting tips for each month
- Space to record your own planting dates
- Notes section for garden observations
- Printable format for easy reference
Calendar Features
Monthly Planting Guide
Each month includes specific planting recommendations for vegetables, herbs, and flowers suitable for that time of year.
Climate Zone Adaptation
Our calendar includes notes for different climate zones, helping you adapt planting times to your specific location.
Customizable Notes
Space to add your own planting dates, varieties, and garden observations to create a personalized garden record.
Printable Format
Designed to be easily printed for reference while planning and working in your garden throughout the year.
Succession Planting Guide
Learn when to plant successive crops to maximize your harvest throughout the growing season.
Seasonal Tips
Get specific tips for each season to help your garden thrive, from soil preparation to harvest techniques.
Understanding Your Planting Calendar
A planting calendar is an essential tool for successful gardening. It helps you plan what to plant and when, ensuring you make the most of your growing season. Our printable planting calendar takes the guesswork out of gardening by providing clear, month-by-month guidance.
How to Use Your Planting Calendar
- Know Your Zone - First, determine your USDA hardiness zone or climate region. This will help you understand which plants can survive in your area and when to plant them.
- Check Last Frost Date - Your last expected frost date is crucial for timing warm-season crops. Most planting calendars are based on this date.
- Plan Your Garden - Use the calendar to plan what you want to grow each month. Consider crop rotation and companion planting.
- Record Your Dates - Write down when you actually plant things. This helps you learn what works best in your garden over time.
- Adjust for Your Microclimate - Your garden may have unique conditions that affect planting times. Adjust the calendar recommendations based on your experience.
Seasonal Planting Strategies
Different seasons require different approaches to planting:
- Spring Planting - Focus on cool-season crops first, then warm-season crops after the last frost. This is the busiest planting season for most gardeners.
- Summer Planting - Continue with heat-loving crops and start succession plantings for fall harvest. Focus on watering and pest management.
- Fall Planting - Plant cool-season crops for fall and winter harvests. This is also the time to plant garlic and cover crops.
- Winter Planting - In mild climates, continue planting hardy crops. In colder regions, focus on planning and preparation for spring.
Succession Planting for Continuous Harvests
Succession planting means sowing small amounts of crops at regular intervals to ensure a continuous harvest. Our calendar includes recommendations for succession planting:
- Fast-Growing Crops - Plant radishes, lettuce, and spinach every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvests.
- Medium-Growth Crops - Sow beans, carrots, and beets every 3-4 weeks.
- Long-Season Crops - Plant multiple varieties with different maturity dates to extend your harvest period.
Ready to Plan Your Perfect Garden Year?
Download our printable planting calendar today and take the guesswork out of gardening. Plan your garden month by month for a year of abundant harvests!
Frequently Asked Questions
Your USDA hardiness zone is determined by your average minimum winter temperature. You can find your zone by entering your zip code on the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map website. This zone helps you understand which plants can survive in your area and when to plant them.
Planting times depend on your climate zone and the specific plants. Generally, cool-season crops like lettuce and peas can be planted 2-4 weeks before your last frost date. Warm-season crops like tomatoes and peppers should be planted after all danger of frost has passed. Our calendar provides specific timing recommendations.
Some crops can be planted multiple times throughout the growing season through succession planting. Fast-growing crops like radishes, lettuce, and spinach can be planted every 2-3 weeks. However, most crops have optimal planting windows based on temperature and day length.
Our calendar provides general guidelines that you should adjust based on your specific conditions. Factors like microclimates, soil type, sun exposure, and moisture levels all affect planting times. Keep records of what works in your garden and adjust your calendar accordingly over time.
Don't worry if you miss the ideal planting window. Many crops can be planted later, though you may have reduced yields or later harvests. Some crops can even be planted in summer for fall harvest. Use the calendar as a guide, but adapt it to your schedule and conditions.