When is Planting Season Over?

[Jill B.]

We just put in an offer on a house with 1.7 acres. I am very excited! However, we will move about the middle of June. One of the reasons I want the acreage is for a garden and chickens. We live in Maryland. Will it be too late to plant towards the end of June? If it won't be too late, would you please let me know what could be planted?

As you can tell, I don't know much about gardens! Thank you for all your help.

[Jeanna]

The thing you need to know is how many days each thing you wish to plant takes to mature. That is usually found on the package that the seeds come in. The next thing you need to find out is about when you would be expecting your first fall frost. As long as you have enough time inbetween you will be fine. Of course in the fall you can plant cabbage and other cool weather crops. Hope this helps some and good luck.

[Grainlady]

Here's a planting schedule for Maryland.....

http://www.hgic.umd.edu/_media/docum..._dates_pfv.pdf

You will be working with fall crops like green beans, beets, lettuce, radishes, potatoes, and spinach. Fall crops are planted anywhere from June through August and then harvested in the fall.

As an example, I plant leaf lettuce and spinach in March and harvest it until it gets hot in May. Then I plant it again in mid-August and harvest it through October.

[thefrug]

I was going to say that I'm sure you could plant green beans. And plant a crop every 2 weeks or so to get a constant supply.And you can do cukes. Then you'll have to wait a month or so and start the fall crops.

[Backtoreality]

Eight years ago, we moved into this home in June. When we found out that it was going to go thru I talked to the previous owners and asked if I could start my garden in May. And bless their hearts they said yes. It was weird driving 30 miles on a everyother days basis, but so worth it come harvest time. Just an idea.

[Jill B.]

thank you so much everyone! The planting schedule for MD is great. I didn't know I could do 2 plantings!!! Wow! I am very excited about all of it.

[mommy4ever]

If you chose crops that have a short growing season, then Mid June will do ok. I don't plant until beginning of June as we have frost until then

OR... something to consider, is starting some indoors, that you can transplant in mid June THis works well here

[Trentt]

You could also go to gardening centers at nurseries and hardware stores around June 15 and purchase their unsold straggler seedlings. The Tru-Valu near where I used to live would sell their last seedlings at 75% off to try to empty their greenhouse between June 1 and June 15. You won't have many choices, but you could probably get a few tomatoes and peppers still at that point.

[Jill B.]

Trentt, excellent frugal suggestion!

[Thevail]

Another idea is to take advantage of that lovely warm summer weather to really let fruit trees throw down roots and get settled in before winter. Pinch off any fruit or flowers for this year to allow the plant to conserve it's energy for growth. It's a good idea to get those fruit and nut trees or shrubs like blueberries in in the first years because they can take years to really mature and produce.

[Jill B.]

Backtoreality, that is an excellent suggestion since the house is vacant. I don't think the owner will care. I am very grateful for this suggestion.