The Arc of the Seasons
A question to kick things off.... Have you ever witnessed your spinach suddenly shooting up or your snap peas wilting in the sun before you could pick them? I've been there, puzzled by why I couldn't get these simple plants right for the longest time. It was frustrating, but once I figured it out, a small adjustment turned things around from zero to hero (as it often does).
So I'm here to assure you that just like me, those failures are behind you, fellow gardeners. Get ready to unlock the ultimate gardening secret: the **ARC OF THE SEASONS** (_cue Indiana Jones theme music_)
Based on your geographical location, you may encounter well-defined or less distinct seasons. In areas like Stouffville, ON, and many parts of Canada, there are clearly marked seasons featuring considerable snow, ice, and cold for approximately a quarter of the year. Consequently, it's logical to conclude that in this region, the main growing season is centered around the warmer summer months.
But here's a fascinating fact: I actually experience three distinct growing seasons!
Let’s get started: Typically, many believe that growing a vegetable garden requires long, hot, sun-filled days. While this holds true for classic kitchen garden vegetables such as tomatoes, eggplant, cucumbers, and squash, plants like peas & spinach, carrots, cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and most leafy greens thrive in the cooler weather of Spring and Fall.
By hitching a ride on the back of the good ol' growing season, we can stretch gardening from the usual June to September dance. Start planting as soon as April and keep the green train rolling until November - that's a whopping extra 4 MONTHS of plant partying. Mind = blown!
Transitioning from cool to warm and back again, like a weather yo-yo!
Time to Chill: 1.6 - 18 degrees:** Let’s dive into the cool season by prepping to grow your crops indoors or directly planting them 60 days before the last frost. Picture this: in early to late February, get those broccoli, cabbage, onions, and aromatic herbs like sage, oregano, and rosemary seeds going. By early March, throw in some lettuces and leafy greens, aiming to have everything in the ground by April 4. (Cross those fingers!)
Heat Wave: 18 - 32 degrees:** In the sunny world of vegetable gardening, kick off the warm season by starting tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers indoors roughly 30 days before the final planting date. You can also sow cucumber, squash, and bean seeds directly during this time.
Back to Cool: 1.6 - 18 degrees:** As the Warm season wraps up, buckle up for round two with the Cool season. About 30 days before planting, get your seeds ready to roll indoors. Time to gear up for a fresh batch of green goodness as soon as the weather cools down!
Now that I've given you an extra four months to grow, how will you maximize this time?