Succession Planting is planting two or more different vegetables in the same garden space within one growing season.

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1 Succession Planting: Getting the Most you Can Succession Planting is planting two or more different vegetables in the same garden space within one growing season. Following one crop with another Donna Aufdenberg Horticulture Specialist Succession Planting Can Maximize Space Extend the harvest window Maintain a continuous supply Optimize quality and yield Types of Succession Plant Different Species Cool season -> warm season -> cool season Planting the Same Crop Different varieties with range of characteristics, quality &maturity dates Same variety periodically over course of season Planting different crops, in succession Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Cabbage Squash Spinach Carrots Beets Pepper Lettuce Pea Cucumber Turnip Radish Corn Luttuce Example from nwedible.com 1

2 To Start Plan, Plan, Plan From Johnnyseeds.com Create a detailed succession plan Make a list of all varieties you wish to grow Check catalogs or seed packet for vital stats Consider drawing out the spring, summer, and fall garden. Fill in early, quick crops followed by long-season ones. Note all planting dates. Soil Fertility Needs Soil Test From Johnnyseeds.com When Planning, Consider Planting Dates Difference in Cool and Warm Season Crops Number of Days until Harvest of Vegetables Length of Harvest Intervals As season progresses, shorten the interval between sowings to ensure adequate harvests at the end of the season. Number of Harvest per Planting Keep in mind, crop rotation Keep records from one year to the next.records ARE IMPORTANT! Double Up Interplant Consider how two or more crops might share the same space. Fast and slow Lettuce in with Kale Beets or radishes in with peas, beans, or cucumbers Tall plants for shade Alternate rows of plants Mix plants within the beds Planting Dates Factors that influence Planting/Harvest times Weather Frost Dates Germination Success Seed Quality, Soil Cond., weather Soil Temperatures Insect/Disease Pressures A Couple of days difference in planting dates can mean 2 weeks difference in harvest time 2

3 Very Cold Hardy(4 to 6 weeks before frost date) Broccoli Cabbage Lettuce Onions Peas Potato Spinach Turnip Hardy Vegetables Frost Tolerant (2 to 4 weeks prior to last frost Beets Carrots Chard Mustard Parsnip Radish Warm Season Plants Plant after last frost or May 1 st Beans Okra Squash Sweet Corn Tomato Eggplant Peppers Sweet Potato Cucumber Melons Tolerant for Fall Planting Days until Maturity No Later than first week of August Cucumbers Sweet Corn Summer Squash Green Beans No Later than last week of August Beets Broccoli Cauliflower Transplants Cabbage Lettuce Mustard Spinach Turnip Short Season Radish, days Spinach, days Mustard, days Leaf Lettuce, days 3

4 Mid-Season Maturity Long Season Maturity Sum. Squash, days Green Onion, days Pick. Cucumber, days Beans, days Beets, 50 days Swiss Chard, 50 days Peas, days Carrots, days Turnip, days Okra, days Cucumber, days Head Lettuce, day Corn, days Tomato, days Chinese Cabbage, days Watermelon, days Endive, days Tomato, Potato, Dry Onion, Brussell Sprouts, days Pumpkins, days Honeydew, 110 days Cabbage, 120 days Parsnip, 120 days Sweet Potato, days Cauliflower, 125 days Good Record Keeping Planting Dates Specific Varieties Direct Seeding/Transplants Number of plants Per foot/per acre Weather Patterns Harvest Dates Harvest quantity Getting the Most, Earlier or Later Use season Extenders for Earlier/Later Production Hot/Cold frames High Tunnels/Low Tunnels Use Transplants when possible Can sometimes cut time Picture from Hightunnels.org up to 4-6 weeks Pick Varieties with Shorter Maturity Times Season Extension Techniques Plant low growing crops in low tunnels Pictures from Johnnyseed.com Floating Row Covers Cover plants with floating row covers/frost blankets Early plants seeded or transplanted 2 to 4 weeks before traditional planting times Warm season plants to help them survive 2 to 4 additional weeks past first frost Plant taller growing crops in high tunnels Pictures from Hightunnels.org Photo from Michigan State University Extension Photo from NC State University Cooperative Extension 4

5 Variance in Location Not every location is the same on dates! Important to figure out earliest planting dates for each crop. Important to figure out latest date for planting each crop that gives you a reasonable chance for success! Resources Scheduling Vegetable Plantings for Continuous Harvest ATTRA Publication Growing Small Farms: Farm Planning and Record Keeping html Johnny s Selected Seeds Succession Planting supply.aspx 5