Crop Scheduling - Zone 7
Jan. 15
Start cool season Brassicas (or Cole) varieties or order transplants for early Spring transplanting. The Brassicas family includes kohlrabi, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, bok choy, collards, kale, mustard, Brussels sprouts, rutabaga and turnip.
Jan. 30
Start eggplant and peppers or order transplants for spring planting.
Feb. 15
Start tomatoes or order transplants for spring planting. Plant English peas outside.
March 1
Start cucurbits varieties or order transplants for planting. The curcubit family includes squash, pumpkin, cucumber, gourd, watermelon and cantaloupe. Plant beets outside.
March 15
Transplant cool season crops (Brassicas, lettuce) outdoors subject to 7 day weather forecast. Plant potatoes outside.
April 15
Transplant frost tender crops (beans, tomatoes, cucumber, squash) outdoors subject to 7 day weather forecast.
May 15 to June 1
Transplant warm season crops (okra, sweet potatoes, watermelon), depending on soil temperature. The soil temperature can be measured at daylight with a thermometer over 3 days and averaged.
May 15 to June 20
Transplant crops that need to mature in cool autumn (pumpkin, butternut squash). The earlier date avoids more mildew and other disease but the later date gives higher quality.
June 20
Earliest day to plant cow peas and avoid the cowpea curculio.
June 25
Last tomato transplanting date for outdoors.
Mid July
Seed fall season Cole crops. An air temperature below 80 will significantly improve germination.
July 30
Last day to plant cucumbers
August 15
Last day to plant snap beans
August 15
First turnip planting date. Plant carrots for overwintering.
Sept. 1
Second turnip planting date
Sept. 20
Last day to plant turnips for greens
Oct. 10
Plant onion seeds
Oct. 15
Plant spinach for overwintering