NWA Planting Schedule - 1st Qtr

YEAR ROUND HOME GARDEN PLANTING GUIDE FOR NORTHWEST ARKANSAS

Note: Vegetagles listed closer to top of each month's list are to be planted earlier in the month, while those listed toward the bottom of each month's list are to be planted later in the month. Also, as weather changes and each person's yard can vary in micro-climate, most planting can take place two weeks or so before the time(s) listed below.

January

Cabbage (hot bed), Peas (garden)

February

Cabbage (hot bed), Peas (garden)

March

Kale, Lettuce (leaf), Mustard

Peas (garden), Radish, Spinach

Turnips, Beets, Broccoli

Brussels sprouts*, Cabbage*

Carrots, Cauliflower

Collards*, Onion, Potatoes (Irish)

Swiss Chard

Strawberries

NWA Planting Schedule - 2nd Qtr

Avg. last frost date: April 15 - 20

April

Kale, Lettuce (leaf), Mustard

Peas (garden), Radish, Spinach

Turnips, Beets, Broccoli*

Brussels sprouts*, Cabbage*

Carrots

Cauliflower*, Collards

Corn (sweet), Endive

Onion, Potatoes (Irish)

Snap Beans

Swiss Chard

Beans (pole)

Asparagus

Potatoes (sweet, in hot bed)

May

Kale, Lettuce, Mustard, Peas (garden)

Radish, Spinach, Turnips

Beans (pole), Beets, Cabbage*

Brussels spouts*, Carrots, Collards*

Corn (sweet), Endive

Swiss Chard

Snap beans, Tomato*

Cantaloupe, Cucumber

Eggplant

Okra, Pepper

Popcorn, Potatoes (sweet)

Pumpkin

Squash

Watermelon

June

Radish, Swiss Chard, Collards*

Snap Beans, Corn (sweet)

Beans (bush, Lima), Beans (pole)

Cantaloupe, Cucumber

Eggplant, Okra, Peppers

Popcorn, Pumkin

Potatoes (sweet)

Southern peas

Squash (summer)

Squash (winter)

Tomato*

Watermelon

1st Place Cabbage

My daughter brought home a Bonnie Plant giant cabbage starter plant from school to grow. This photo was taken 14 days before it was picked. Can you imagine how much more it grew in those last 2 weeks?! Pictured next to it is a normal cabbage plant started from seed. She was so excited to come home and announce her cabbage will be representing her grade in the statewide contest. The final weight without the outer leaves and the roots were 4lbs and 2ozs.

I did use dusting powered a little too late to control the bugs, from eating the cabbage, as I am afraid of poisioning my family. I am learning by trial and error.

Canning Tomatoes

Aren't they beautiful! Some things are just easier to learn doing it with someone who knows, no matter how easy it maybe. I had the chance to learn to can tomatoes and I took it. Two sweet Sisters from church were my joyful teachers! Next year I am planning a tomato garden. Buying tomatoes to can just isn't cost effective.

This experience is opening up a whole new world for me. It isn't happening overnight, but it is giving me confidence that I can CAN food to provide healthy alternatives to our food storage. An art/skill that will not be lost in my generation.

Easy illustrated instructions are found in the Ball Blue Book of Preserving, 2005, p 22, 24-25.