BOUNTY GARDENS

Projects for the Month of February

Harvest

• Harvest herbs, kale, leeks and other cool-weather vegetables.

Houseplants

• Repot houseplants that have outgrown their containers.

Maintenance

• Clean and sharpen garden tools.
• Move clean leaves and debris from garden beds to compost.
• If frost is still an issue, continue to use frost protection or a greenhouse.

Prune

• Hard-prune dormant perennials.
• Do not prune flowering shrubs at this time; e.g., azalea, daphne, forsythia, japonica, rhododendron, viburnum and weigela.

Soil

• Add compost and an organic fertilizer to the garden.
• Add an organic mulch to the garden beds.

Start Seeds Indoors

• Based on the last frost date, start seeds under grow lights for eggplant, lettuce, peppers, squash and tomatoes.

Transplant Outside

• Gently harden-off and move seedlings outside for beets, bok choy, broccoli, cauliflower, kohlrabi, lettuce, peas, radishes, spinach and swiss chard.
• This is a good time to plant shrubs and trees.

Wildlife

• Clean and fill bird feeders.

Projects for the Month of March

Direct Sow

• Sow seeds for beans, beets, cabbage, carrots, kale, lettuce, onions, peppers, spinach and tomatoes.

Journal

• Research companion plants that may reduce unwanted pests and disease.
• List and purchase bare root plants; e.g., berry bushes, fruit trees and roses.

Maintenance

• Clean and sharpen garden tools.
• Repair or replace garden tools, if needed.
• Pull weeds and organically control them.

Prune

• Prune grapevines and fruit trees.
• Remove damaged or dead limbs.
• Hard-prune dormant perennials.
• Do not prune flowering shrubs at this time; e.g., azalea, daphne, forsythia, rhododendron, viburnum and weigela.

Soil

• Have a soil sample tested at a nearby extension office.
• Gather information and get gardening advice from an expert at the extension office.
• Amend soil based on test results.
• Add a few inches of organic mulch to garden.

Start Seeds Indoors

• Based on the last frost date, start seeds indoors under grow lights for beans, beets, cabbage, carrots, eggplant, kale, lettuce, onions, peppers, spinach, squash and tomatoes.

Transplant Outside

• Plant potatoes, pansies and snapdragons.
• Gently harden-off and move seedlings outdoors to a cold frame for broccoli and cauliflower.

Wildlife

• Clean and fill bird feeders.

Projects for the Month of April

Direct Sow

• Based on the last frost date in your area, sow seeds for beets, corn, kale, lettuce, potatoes, spinach and swiss chard.

Harvest

• Harvest cool-weather vegetables from cold-frames or from a greenhouse; e.g., arugula, beets, brussels sprouts, carrots, chervil, chives, fennel, kale, leeks, lettuce, onions, parsnips, peas, spinach and swiss chard.

Journal

• Make a shopping list of garden supplies.
• Research companion plants that may help reduce unwanted pests and disease.

Maintenance

• Add sticky traps around the garden to catch unwanted insects.
• Pull weeds and organically control them.

Prune

• After blooms fall, prune flowering shrubs.
• Hard-prune overgrown shrubs.
• Remove dead or damaged limbs.

Soil

• Have a soil sample tested at a nearby extension office, if you haven't done so already.
• Get expert garden advice from the extension office.
• Amend garden soil based on test results.
• Spread an organic fertilizer around perennials and shrubs.
• Add a few inches of an organic mulch to garden soil.

Start Seeds Indoors

• Based on the last frost date in your area, start seeds under grow lights for alyssum, brussels sprouts, calendula, eggplant, marigolds, nasturtiums, okra, peppers, squash, tomatoes and watermelon.

Transplant Outside

• Gently harden-off seedlings and move them outside for cucumbers, eggplant, peppers and tomatoes.

Wildlife

• Add a hummingbird feeder or plants that attract hummingbirds.
• Add a birdhouse for nesting.
• Clean and fill bird feeders and birdbaths.
• Keep birdbaths filled with fresh, clean water to also prevent mosquito infestation.

Projects for the Month of May

Direct Sow

• Sow seeds for beans, corn, cucumbers, okra and squash.

Harvest

• Pick lettuce and peas so they will keep producing.
• Harvest beets, broccoli, cauliflower and kale.

Maintenance

• Add or replace sticky traps to catch unwanted insects in the garden.
• Pull weeds and organically control them.

Soil

• Start a compost system, if you haven't done so already.
• Spread an organic fertilizer around perennials and shrubs.
• Amend soil based on test results from a nearby extension office.
• Add a few inches of organic mulch to the garden.
• Install an irrigation system, if needed.

Transplant Outside

• Gently harden-off seedlings and move them outside for eggplant, peppers and tomatoes.

Wildlife

• Clean and fill bird feeders.

Projects for the Month of June

Journal

• Note plant status; e.g., cucumbers are growing well, pests destroyed tomato plant.
• Research companion plants that may help to solve any issues that were found.
• List vegetables that you wish to grow in the fall.
• Make a shopping list of garden supplies you may need.

Maintenance

• Pull weeds and organically control them.
• Remove standing water to prevent mosquito infestation.
• Add or replace sticky traps to catch unwanted insects in the garden.

Prune

• Cut back overgrown shrubs.
• Prune spring-flowering shrubs early in the month.
• Remove suckers from tomato plants.
• Pinch old blooms from annuals and perennials.
• Thin fruit trees.

Soil

• Add an organic mulch to bare soil.
• Spread compost around fruit trees.
• Apply an organic fertilizer to vegetable garden, container plants, perennials and fruit trees.
• Ensure plants are watered thoroughly.

Wildlife

• Clean and fill bird feeders.

Projects for the Month of July

Direct Sow

• Sow seeds for beans, beets, bush beans, carrots, cilantro, kale, lettuce, summer squash and swiss chard.

Harvest

• Harvest basil, beans, beets, blackberries, carrots, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, green beans, lettuce, okra, onions, potatoes, peppers, spinach, squash and tomatoes.
• Save, dry and label seeds from high-performing plants.

Journal

• List seeds and seed supplies needed to start a fall garden.

Maintenance

• Pull weeds and organically control them.
• Add or replace sticky traps to catch unwanted insects in the garden.
• Provide support for fruit trees.
• Remove plant debris.

Prune

• Cut back nonfruiting blackberry and raspberry canes.
• Deadhead annuals and perennials.
• Remove tomato suckers and prune tomato plants.
• Stop pruning flowering shrubs.

Soil

• Add a few inches of organic mulch to bare garden soil.
• Deeply and thoroughly water citrus trees.
• Ensure vegetable garden and container plants are watered.
• Fertilize rose bushes and container plants.
• Side dress onions and potato tubers.

Start Seeds Indoors

• Start seeds under grow lights for beets, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, peas, pumpkins, spinach and squash.

Transplant Outside

• Plant eggplant, peppers and tomatoes.
• Consider planting a cover in bare areas of the garden.

Wildlife

• Clean and fill bird feeders.

Projects for the Month of August

Direct Sow

• Sow seeds for corn, cucumber and squash.

Harvest

• Harvest blackberries, peaches, plums, raspberries, zucchini and more.
• Save, dry and label seeds from high-performing plants.

Journal

• Note plant status; e.g., cucumbers are growing well, pests destroyed tomato plant.
• Research companion plants that may help to solve any issues that were found.
• Organize seed packets and revisit the list of vegetables that you wish to grow in the fall.
• Make a shopping list of seed starting supplies you may need.
• Determine where fall vegetables will be planted.

Maintenance

• Pull weeds and organically control them.
• Remove standing water to prevent mosquito infestation.
• Add or replace sticky traps to catch unwanted insects in the garden.
• Attend to plants that may be stressed; e.g., provide shade or water.

Prune

• Deadhead annuals and perennials.
• Remove female flowers from pumpkins.
• Pinch off basil.
• Remove tomato suckers, prune tomato plants and remove old plants.
• Prune eggplant and peppers.
• Trim any overlapping leaves from squash.
• Except for dead or damaged limbs, stop pruning shrubs.

Soil

• Add organic fertilizer and organic mulch.
• Ensure vegetable garden and container plants are hydrated.

Start Seeds Indoors

• Start seeds under grow lights for cool-season crops.

Transplant Outside

• Plant cosmos, calendula, marigolds, sunflowers and zinnias.
• Plant basil, eggplant, peppers and tomatoes
• At the end of the month, gently harden-off seedlings and move them outside under some shade for broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale and swiss chard.

Wildlife

• Clean and fill bird feeders.

Projects for the Month of September

Direct Sow

• Sow succession crops for carrots, kale, lettuce, radishes and spinach.

Harvest

• Save, dry and label seeds from high-performing plants.
• Harvest apples and remaining vegetables before frost arrives.

Journal

• Make a note of successes along with improvements that you would like to make.
• Organize seed packets and finish the shopping list for fall seeds and supplies.

Maintenance

• Pull weeds and organically control them.
• Remove plant debris.
• Build structures like raised beds, hoop houses or a greenhouse.
• Extend the season by adding cold frames and frost covers.
• Bring potted plants indoors.

Prune

• Stop pruning shrubs and trees.
• Remove foliage from pumpkins.
• Pinch female flowers from eggplant, melons, pumpkin, squash and tomatoes.

Soil

• Add organic fertilizer and organic mulch to the vegetable garden, if needed.
• Stop fertilizing and mulching shrubs and trees.
• Ensure vegetable garden and container plants are hydrated.

Start Seeds Indoors

• Any cool-season favorites that you start indoors will need winter protection when the time comes to transplant them outside.

Transplant Outside

• Plant anemones, asters, cosmos, marigolds, nasturtiums and mums for fall color.
• Plant new perennials and shrubs.
• Plant garlic and shallots.
• Consider planting a cover crop for unused areas.

Wildlife

• Clean and fill bird feeders.

Projects for the Month of October

Direct Sow

• Sow seeds in a greenhouse or other protected structure for beets, bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, garlic, lettuce, mustard, parsnips, radishes, shallots and turnips.

Harvest

• Harvest brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, corn, herbs, kale, gourds, lettuce, parsnips, potatoes, pumpkins, spinach, squash, sweet potatoes and swiss chard.

Maintenance

• Dry herbs in a cool place.
• Pull weeds and control them organically.
• Compost leaves and healthy garden debris.
• Clean up and throw out old vines and diseased plants.
• Except for damaged or dead limbs, stop pruning shrubs and trees.
• Cut back newly formed roses.

Prune

• Thin perennial plants, if needed.

Soil

• Add compost to soil to boost nutrients.
• Mulch rose bushes, citrus trees, grapevines and vegetable garden.
• Ensure all plants are properly hydrated.

Start Seeds Indoors

• Start seeds for herbs under grow lights or near a window.

Transplant Outside

• Plant perennials, shrubs, trees and wildflowers.

Wildlife

• Clean and fill bird feeders.

Projects for the Month of November

Harvest

• Collect, dry and label any remaining seeds from high-performing plants.
• Harvest broccoli, carrots, kale, lettuce, parsnips and spinach.

Journal

• Start a garden journal, if you haven't done so already.
• Note last season's successes and improvements you wish to make.
• Make a plan to rotate crops next spring.
• Start a shopping list of seeds and seed-starting supplies needed for next spring.

Maintenance

• If you are extending the growing season, have frost covers or other weather-protecting tools ready to use.
• Clean and sharpen garden tools.
• Pull weeds and manage them organically.
• Clear away garden debris.
• Continue to add organic matter to the compost.
• Add organic mulch to any unused soil.
• Consider building a greenhouse, hoop house or raised beds.
• Bring houseplants indoors, if you haven't done so already.

Prune

• Thin cool-season crops that you planted last month, if any.

Soil

• Have a soil sample tested at a nearby extension office.
• Get expert garden advice from the extension office.
• Amend garden soil based on test results so nutrients can breakdown in time for spring.
• Water garden thoroughly before a freeze hits.
• Stop fertilizing plants that become dormant during the winter.

Start Seeds Indoors

• Start seeds for herbs and microgreens under grow lights or near a window.

Transplant Outside

• Plant asters, dianthus, pansies, mums, snapdragons and hardy perennials.
• Plant dill, garlic, leeks and onions.
• Gently harden-off seedlings, if you have them, and move them outdoors to a weather-protected structure.

Wildlife

• Clean and fill bird feeders.

Projects for the Month of December

Harvest

• Harvest cool-season crops that you may have planted in a weather-protected structure.

Journal

• Research companion plants that may help reduce pests and prevent disease.
• Start a shopping list of garden supplies that you may need when spring arrives.

Maintenance

• Clean and sharpen garden tools.
• Add healthy organic matter to the compost.

Soil

• Add compost to the garden or plant a cover crop before the freeze arrives.
• Add a thick layer of organic mulch to unused garden beds.

Start Seeds Indoors

• Start seeds under grow lights for plants that have a long germination period.
• Plant herbs and lettuce under grow lights.

Transplant Outside

• In a greenhouse or other weather-protected structure that can withstand heavy snow, try planting arugula, beets, carrots, endive, kale, winter lettuce, onions, parsley, parsnips, potatoes, radishes, scallions and turnips.

Wildlife

• Clean and fill bird feeders.