Gardening

🗓️ Planting Schedule by Season (Based on USDA Zones 8–9 like Mobile, AL)

🌸 Spring (March – May)

• Tomatoes – Start seeds indoors in Feb; transplant outdoors in March/April.
  
  

• Bell Peppers – Same as tomatoes; transplant when nights stay above 55°F.
  
  

• Cucumbers – Sow seeds directly in late March/early April.
  
  

• Okra – Sow directly in April when soil is warm.
  
  

• Carrots – Sow directly in March (thin seedlings as they grow).
  
  

• Collard Greens & Cabbage – Start in early spring (March); partial shade helps.
  
  

• Potatoes (white) – Plant from late January to March.
  
  

• Strawberries – Plant in March for best spring harvest.
  
  

☀️ Summer (June – August)

• Sweet Potatoes – Plant slips in early June; they love the heat.
  
  

• Watermelon – Plant seeds in May/June in large containers with support.
  
  

• Pumpkin – Late June is ideal for fall harvest timing.
  
  

• Ginger & Garlic – Ginger loves summer; garlic is best planted in fall, but softneck garlic can start in late summer.
  
  

🍂 Fall (September – November)

• Broccoli – Start seeds in August, transplant in September.
  
  

• Cabbage & Collards – Fall crop thrives from late August plantings.
  
  

• Garlic – Best planted in October for summer harvest.
  
  

• Carrots – Sow again in September for a late fall harvest.
  
  

❄️ Winter (December – February)

• Prep soil, compost, and containers.
  
  

• Start seeds indoors (tomatoes, peppers).
  
  

• Garlic grows slowly through winter.
  
  

🌿 Porch Gardening Tips

• Containers: Use 5–10 gallon containers for tomatoes, peppers, sweet potatoes, and watermelon. Small 1–3 gallon pots for herbs, garlic, and carrots.
  
  

• Vertical space: Trellises for cucumbers, watermelon, grapes, and tomatoes.
  
  

• Sunlight: 6–8 hours of direct sunlight needed for most plants.
  
  

• Water: Consistent, deep watering is key, especially for container plants.
  
  

• Soil: Use quality potting mix with compost. Raised bed mix works great in buckets too.
  
  

• Fertilizer: Add balanced organic fertilizer every few weeks (look for 5-5-5 or 10-10-10).

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🌱 Porch Garden Planting & Harvest Schedule

Plant

When to Plant

Expected Harvest Time

Okra

April – June (direct sow)

50–65 days after planting

Watermelon

May – June

70–90 days after planting

Pumpkin

Late June – Early July

90–120 days (just before Halloween)

Sweet Potatoes

Late May – June (slips)

90–120 days

Potatoes

Late Jan – March

90–110 days

Tomatoes

March – April (transplant)

60–85 days after transplant

Bell Peppers

March – April (transplant)

60–90 days after transplant

Cucumber

April – June

50–70 days

Strawberry

March

Light harvest in first year; full yield 2nd year

Orange (dwarf)

Spring (potted)

12–18 months (1st year = slow)

Garlic

October – November

7–9 months (harvest June/July)

Ginger

April – May

8–10 months (harvest in winter)

Carrots

March – May, Sept

60–80 days

Grapes (container)

Late winter – early spring

2–3 years for full yield

Broccoli

August – September

60–100 days

Collard Greens

March – May or Aug – Sept

60–85 days

Cabbage

August – September

70–100 days

📝 Tips:

• Harvest times depend on variety, container size, and sunlight.
  
  

• For continuous harvest, stagger plantings every 2–3 weeks (especially for leafy greens, carrots, cucumbers, and okra).
  
  

• Keep containers well-drained and fertilize every 2–3 weeks with balanced organic fertilizer.