• Then using a calendar, determine the seeding date and enter it in the following table.
  • Leave these columns blank for any crops that will not be transplanted.
  • For each crop you are growing, find the days to maturity for each crop and write it in the table below.
  • This information can be found for many crops in Tables 10-12 in UK ID-128. Keep in mind that these numbers are general and include variation for different varieties.
  • Specific information for your chosen variety can be found on seed packets and in seed catalogues. If you would like to also estimate sales, follow these instructions to complete the tables. Keep in mind that if you do not plan to sell the produce from your farm or garden, this will be expected savings from not having to purchase those foods.
  • Determine the planting date and estimated harvest date for each harvest of each crop you wish to have and enter it in the following table.
  • If you want to harvest a crop more than once, or stagger harvesting, create a new line in the table for each harvest you want to have. Keep in mind that this may be
  • based on earliest or latest safe planting dates, or your desired harvest date and the crops days to maturity.
  • Use a calendar to help.
  • As you do this, consult your map to make sure you are not unintentionally overlapping crops in a bed.

Once you have planting and estimated harvest dates, these can be transferred to a calendar or planner of your choice. As a visual person, I have used different colors in an Excel file to get an overall picture of the planting and harvesting in the beds. It might look something like the following chart.

In this chart, the letters represent sections of a raised bed. I have added a z to the front of fall so that the seasons will alphabetize in chronological order. The dark green squares represent the latest planting date on this section of the chart. For summer crops, they would also represent the earliest planting date. The light green squares represent when crops are growing in the bed and orange is the window of time for harvesting. These are not variety specific which means that for some crops there is a two or three week window where harvest might take place.

AprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovember
letterseasonplant
A1summercabbage
A1zfallradishesH
A10summercollards
A10zfallturnipsELLL
A11summercollards
A11zfallmustard greens
A12summercollards
A12zfallmustard greens

References:

Home Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky. ID-128. University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service

Markham, B.L. 2014. The MiniFarming™ Bible: The Complete Guide to Self-Sufficiency on 1/4 Acre. SkyHorse Publishing. New York, New York.

Partnership for Sustainable Communities. 2011. Urban Farm Business Plan Handbook. Available at https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-10/documents/1.urban_farm_business_plan_handbook_091511_508.pdf

Stone, C. (2016). The urban farmer: Growing food for profit on leased and borrowed land. New Society Publishers. Gabriola Island, BC, Canada.

Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers. ID-36. University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.

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