Building a Seed Calendar by Month: Step-by-Step Scheduling for Garden Success

A seed calendar by month is a simple tool that helps you organize when to start seeds indoors, move seedlings outside, and sow seeds directly in the garden. Using a monthly seed calendar lets you know the best time to plant each crop, so you can get healthy plants and better harvests. With the right timing, you’ll avoid common mistakes like starting seeds too early or too late for your area.

Building your own seed calendar means you get to plan out every step for each month, from picking seeds to prepping your garden beds. This keeps your gardening organized and saves you time and effort as the season goes on. You’ll have a clear plan and know exactly what to do, whether you’re growing vegetables, flowers, or herbs.

Key Takeaways

• A monthly seed calendar helps you stay organized and on track for each season.
• Proper timing and planning leads to stronger plants and higher yields.
• Scheduling tasks makes gardening less stressful and more successful.

What Is a Seed Calendar and Why Use One?

A seed calendar is an essential tool if you want to plan your garden activities for the whole year. With a good gardening calendar, you can plant seeds at the right time and keep your crops healthy and productive.

Definition and Key Benefits

A seed calendar, also called a gardening calendar or planting calendar, is a schedule that tells you when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest different plants month by month. It is made by considering your local climate, growing zone, and average frost dates.

Key benefits of using a seed calendar include:

• Optimal Timing: You know exactly when to start each type of plant, which helps seeds grow strong.
• Better Planning: You avoid missing planting windows or running out of space in your garden beds.
• Healthier Crops: When seeds are started at the right time, plants face fewer problems from pests, heat, or frost.

Many gardeners use a seed calendar because it organizes tasks and avoids confusion over planting dates. This planning system is simple but very effective for keeping your garden on track. For more detailed tips, see the Ultimate Guide to Using a Handy Seed Calendar.

Maximizing the Growing Season

Using a seed calendar helps you stretch the growing season for as long as possible. By starting certain seeds indoors before the last frost date, you get a head start on the season and can move seedlings outside once the weather warms up.

You can also schedule succession plantings—sowing seeds every few weeks—so that you enjoy fresh produce longer. Indoor seed starting is helpful if you have a short growing season because it gives slow-growing crops enough time to mature.

A calendar lets you match each plant’s needs to the right month and conditions, from cool-spring greens to heat-loving summer crops. Checking your local frost dates is key. Learn more about how to plan months ahead in this step-by-step guide.

Continuous Harvest Strategies

A gardening calendar makes continuous harvests possible by spacing out your plantings. This method is called succession planting and involves sowing a new batch of seeds every 2-3 weeks during the growing season.

For example, instead of planting all your lettuce at once, you can plant a small section every few weeks. As you harvest one batch, the next is already growing. This prevents gluts and gaps and gives you a steady supply of produce.

Succession planting works well for many crops, such as beans, carrots, and radishes. Your seed calendar helps you keep track of dates and ensures you’re always sowing new seeds or transplanting at the best time. For more on strategies like this, see this planting calendar guide.

Essential Steps to Building a Seed Calendar

Building a seed calendar takes planning, timing, and careful local observation. To get the most out of your garden, you need to work with climate data, know your planting windows, and keep your seed starting organized.

Identifying Frost Dates

Your seed calendar starts by finding the average last spring frost and the first fall frost for your area. These frost dates determine when it is safe to plant seeds outdoors and help you avoid losing young plants to cold weather.

You can find frost dates using online tools, your local extension office, or gardening websites based on your zip code. Write down both the last spring frost and the first fall frost, as they set the outer bounds of your growing season.

Once you know your frost dates, count how many weeks you have for growing. Many seed packets will list when to plant seeds in relation to your last frost (for example, “Start indoors 6 weeks before last frost”). This information helps you decide when to start seeds inside or sow directly outdoors. Having these dates on hand makes it much easier to schedule all your planting and harvesting without guesswork.

Customizing for Local Conditions

Climate varies from one region to another. You need to think about your yard’s sunlight, average rainfall, soil quality, and your garden’s exposure to wind or shade.

Start by observing your garden microclimates. A spot near a fence or wall may stay warmer than open ground, letting you plant a little earlier. Some areas might dry out quickly, while others stay soggy.

Rain patterns also change planting needs. If your springs are wet, hold off on planting seeds that need dry soil. Adjust for hot, dry summers by picking drought-resistant varieties. Write down notes on yearly trends in a journal or your calendar. Building these details into your calendar makes your garden plan more accurate and increases your chances of success. For more ideas, check out tips to implement a seed calendar.

Using Planting Dates Effectively

To use your planting dates well, list each crop with both indoor and outdoor start dates. For each plant, include the weeks before or after the last frost date for both seed starting and transplanting. Use a table or a simple list for easy reference:

Check seed packets for special notes. Update your calendar every year with actual results. You can also create monthly task lists for jobs like starting seeds, prepping beds, and transplanting. Keeping everything in one place helps avoid confusion and keeps your garden on schedule. For more on organizing and using monthly gardening tasks, see this gardening calendar guide.

Month-by-Month Seed Calendar Overview

Planning when to plant each crop during the year is key for healthy growth and good harvests. You can get the best results by matching your planting dates to the needs of each vegetable and by adjusting for local climate.

Cool-Season and Warm-Season Crops

You will plant cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach, onions, and potatoes earlier in the spring or in late summer for fall harvests. These plants grow well when the weather is mild or slightly cold. Lettuce and spinach may bolt, or go to seed, if the weather gets too hot, so it is best to sow them when average day temperatures are much cooler.

Warm-season crops such as beans, tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers need warm soil and air to sprout and thrive. These crops are planted after the last expected frost, once the soil has warmed up. Beans and tomatoes grow fast in warmth, but eggplants and peppers often need to be started indoors in colder regions, giving them a head start.

Use a table to help you keep track:

Adjusting for Your Climate

Your local weather makes a big difference in your gardening calendar. When building your seed calendar, first learn your USDA hardiness zone or reference local frost dates. This helps you decide when to start seeds, either indoors or outside.

If you are in a colder climate, you will need to start tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants inside about eight weeks before the last frost. Outdoors, you can sow lettuce, onions, spinach, and potatoes as soon as the ground can be worked.

In warmer places, many seeds can be sown directly into the garden earlier in the year, and some crops—like beans—can be planted several times for a longer harvest. Tracking your average frost dates lets you avoid putting tender crops outside too soon.

General Timeline for Sowing

The general sowing timeline depends on the first and last frost in your area. Most seed packets say to sow “X weeks before last frost” or “after last frost”—make a table or list to organize this.

Cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach, onions, and potatoes should be planted from late winter to early spring. You can do a second round in late summer for a fall harvest.

Warm-season vegetables such as beans, tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers are started indoors in late winter or early spring. Set these young plants outdoors a week or two after the last frost, once the weather is steady and the soil is warm.

For a more detailed, month-by-month plan and ideas on creating your calendar, visit this step-by-step guide on seed calendars or try making a simple chart that matches your local frost dates. This keeps your gardening tasks organized and clear.

Key Seeds to Start Each Month

Starting the right seeds at the right time sets you up for success every season. Cool weather crops do best with an early start, while warm season vegetables, flowers, and herbs are timed with the last frost.

Vegetables to Start Indoors

Start seeds like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant indoors in late winter to early spring. This gives these warm-season crops a longer growing window, as they need heat and time to mature.

For cool season crops such as kale, broccoli, and cabbage, start them indoors in late winter. You can move them outside as soon as the soil is workable. Check your local frost dates, as starting too early or too late can delay harvests.

Grow cucumbers and squash indoors about three to four weeks before your last frost. Seedlings will be ready for transplanting once nighttime temperatures are above 50°F. Starting seeds indoors is also useful for herbs like basil and parsley, which thrive in warm conditions. For a month-by-month breakdown on vegetables to sow, visit this vegetable seed calendar.

Direct Sowing Recommendations

Some seeds do best when planted straight into the ground. Carrots, radishes, and peas can be direct sown as soon as the soil thaws, usually in early spring. These crops do not transplant well, so direct sowing is critical to success.

Every month brings new opportunities. In early spring, sow spinach, beets, and lettuce. When summer arrives, plant corn, beans, and sunflowers directly outdoors after the danger of frost has passed. Garlic is usually planted in the fall, giving it time to develop roots before winter hits.

Fast-growing crops like radishes and salad greens can be sown every few weeks for a continuous harvest through much of the year. For an easy-to-use, month-by-month guide to direct sowing, see this monthly seed sowing guide.

Best Flowers and Herbs by Month

Marigolds and zinnias are easy to start indoors a few weeks before your last frost. Once established, these flowers tolerate heat and bloom long into the summer. You can also direct sow sunflower seeds outdoors once the soil is warm in late spring.

Herbs such as dill and cilantro grow best when sown directly in the garden, as they don’t like transplanting. Start basil inside early for the longest growing season. In cooler months, try starting chive and parsley seeds indoors for an earlier harvest.

In each month, mix quick bloomers like calendula with long-lasting perennials such as lavender. This keeps your garden beautiful and full of pollinators from spring to fall. To plan your flower and herb planting for each month, check out this flower and herb sowing calendar.

Soil Preparation and Fertility

Good soil leads to better seed growth and stronger plants. Taking time to test, improve, and care for your soil helps seeds get the best start.

Testing and Amending Soil

Begin by checking your soil’s pH and nutrient levels. You can buy a simple home test kit or send a sample to a lab. Knowing the pH tells you if your soil is acidic, neutral, or alkaline—most vegetables do best between pH 6.0 and 7.0.

If your soil is too acidic, add lime to raise the pH. For soil that is too alkaline, adding sulfur can help lower it. Adjusting the pH helps plants take up nutrients. Regularly test your soil at least once a year, especially before each new growing season.

Along with pH, find out which nutrients are missing. Use a balanced fertilizer or natural amendments as needed. Adding the right nutrients now will mean healthier plants later. For a step-by-step guide, visit this page on preparing soil for vegetable seeds.

Adding Compost and Organic Matter

Mixing compost into your soil gives it a boost of nutrients and improves soil texture. Compost comes from kitchen scraps, dead leaves, and other plant material that has broken down. Spread a layer of finished compost over your garden beds before planting each season.

You can also use aged manure, shredded leaves, or grass clippings as organic matter. These materials help hold water and provide slow-release nutrients as they break down. Aim to add at least two inches of compost or organic matter each year.

Regularly turning your soil to mix in compost also allows air, water, and roots to spread more easily. Healthy soil means seeds can germinate and grow with fewer problems. For more information on using compost, check out this garden guide to soil enrichment.

Keeping Soil Healthy Year-Round

Maintaining soil health is a year-round task. In spring, test your soil and add compost or fertilizer as needed. During summer, keep the soil covered with mulch or living plants to prevent erosion and feed the soil as mulch breaks down.

After harvest in fall, clear away old plants and work more compost into the soil. Winter is a good time to plant cover crops like clover or rye, which protect the soil and add nutrients when turned under before spring planting.

Healthy soil supports a strong root system and reduces the risk of pests and diseases. By following these steps, you create a good base for seeds and promote robust plant health and productivity.

Organizing and Scheduling Seeds Efficiently

Getting your seeds organized saves time and helps you stick to your garden plan. Good scheduling ensures you’re starting seedlings at the right time and using your indoor gardening space and grow lights well.

Grouping Seeds by Planting Times

To keep planting simple, sort your seeds into groups based on when they need to be started. Many seed packets list times like 12 weeks, 8 weeks, or direct-sow before or after your last frost. You can use small storage boxes or photo containers, labeling them by planting week or month.

For example, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants usually start 8-10 weeks before the last frost, while cucumbers and squash often start just 2-4 weeks before. Lettuce, spinach, and peas might be direct sown right into the soil. This grouping method helps you grab just the seeds you need each week.

Making a chart that lists crop, indoor start time, and direct sow time right next to each other can reduce mix-ups and keeps your gardening calendar clear. More tips on grouping seeds are shared at Sage + Shepherd’s DIY seed organization.

Tracking with Tools and Apps

A written calendar—such as a printable seed starting schedule—lets you see all your seed starting dates at a glance. You can also use garden planner apps that send reminders before it’s time to sow or transplant.

Digital planners make it easy to adjust dates if the weather changes. You can record expected germination times and keep notes about your seedlings’ progress. Some apps let you track which varieties performed best, so next year’s garden plan improves with real experience.

Simple tools like spreadsheets or even color-coded sticky notes can be just as effective if you prefer paper. Choose the method you’ll actually keep up with. Keeping your seed schedule visible in your indoor gardening area helps you remember to check your grow lights and water young plants.

Updating Your Plan Each Season

Review and change your seed calendar after each growing season. Update your schedule with what worked and what didn’t, so you adjust for next year. Track dates like when indoor-grown seedlings were strong enough for transplant and when outdoor conditions became right for direct sowing.

If some plants did not do well, change their start dates or adjust how long you kept them under grow lights. Note problems like crowded trays or missed watering so you fix them next time.

Keep your records from year to year, either in a notebook or as saved copies in your gardening app. A habit of regular updates helps make your future schedules more accurate and your gardening calendar more reliable.

Timing for Seed Starting and Transplanting

Successful gardening depends on knowing when to start seeds indoors, how to gradually prepare seedlings for outdoor life, and the safest time to move them into your garden. These timing steps help maximize plant growth and avoid damage from late frosts.

Estimating Indoor Start Dates

Start by finding your area’s average last frost date, which is the key marker for indoor seed starting. Most seed packets for tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants suggest starting seeds 6–10 weeks before this date. For example, if your last frost is May 10, start tomatoes indoors in late February or early March.

Cool-season crops like broccoli or lettuce can be started 8–10 weeks before your last frost. Warm-season vegetables need warmer soil and do best with later indoor starts. Official calendars or tools, such as a seed starting calendar guide, can help you plan dates for each type of seed.

Consider each crop’s growth rate. Tomatoes and peppers germinate slowly, while cucumbers and squash grow faster and are usually started a bit later. Make a table to track your start dates:

Hardening Off Seedlings

Seedlings grown indoors need time to adjust before moving outside. This step is called hardening off. About 7–10 days before transplanting, move seedlings to a shaded outdoor spot for a few hours each day.

Increase the time and sun exposure daily. By the end of this period, your plants should spend full days and even nights outside, as long as temperatures stay above 50°F.

Hardening off helps seedlings build strength and adapt to wind, changes in temperature, and sunlight. Without this step, many plants, especially tomatoes and eggplants, suffer from shock or sunburn. Take care to avoid windy days or extreme sun at first. Protect fragile seedlings from sudden rain or unexpected cold.

Transplanting After Frost Risk

After the risk of frost has passed, you can transplant seedlings into the garden. Check soil temperature—tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants like soil above 60°F. Use a soil thermometer if possible.

Direct sowing seeds outdoors comes later for warm-season crops. For transplants, choose a cloudy day or late afternoon to move plants, helping reduce transplant shock. Water seedlings well both before and after planting.

Check your region’s last frost date yearly, as it can shift. Using a seed-starting calculator can make it easier to match transplant dates with safe outdoor conditions. Always watch the weather and cover new transplants if a sudden cold snap is forecast.

Seasonal Care and Maintenance Tasks

Keeping your garden healthy and productive all year requires more than just planting seeds. To get the best harvests, you need to be strategic about water retention, weed control, and timing your plantings.

Mulching for Moisture and Weed Control

Mulching makes a big difference in keeping your soil moist, cool, and free from weeds. By adding a 2-3 inch layer of mulch, like straw, wood chips, or shredded leaves, you help the soil hold more water and stop weeds from growing. Use mulch around the base of your plants and between rows, especially as the weather warms up.

Mulch helps moderate soil temperature, which prevents roots from drying out or overheating. It also reduces the number of times you need to water, especially in the hot summer months. Weeds have a harder time growing through mulch, so you spend less time pulling them out. Refresh the mulch as needed and remove any that becomes moldy or compacted.

When using row covers, lift them before mulching, and replace them after you spread the mulch. This technique works well for crops that need both warmth and weed control, like tomatoes and peppers. For more monthly mulch tips, you can check helpful gardening calendars with specific advice.

Succession Planting for Maximum Yield

Succession planting means planting new seeds in your garden every few weeks to keep producing fresh vegetables. This practice lets you enjoy crops like lettuce, carrots, and radishes all season instead of just once. After you harvest one row, plant new seeds right away in the same spot.

To get the most from succession planting, make a simple chart with planting dates and expected harvests. Stagger plantings of quick-growing crops, like beans or spinach, every two weeks for a steady supply. Using row covers can help protect new seedlings from harsh weather or pests, allowing you to plant earlier or later than normal.

Keeping a month-by-month planting guide makes it easy to plan your schedule. This technique increases your harvest and makes better use of your garden space throughout the year.

Pest Control and Beneficial Companions

Protecting your garden from pests and supporting healthy plants takes planning. Using beneficial insects, smart plant pairings, and basic pest control steps can improve your harvest and reduce problems throughout the growing season.

Preventing and Managing Pests

Common pests like aphids, cabbage worms, and beetles can harm crops and reduce yields. Simple steps help lower pest problems. Remove plant debris and weeds where bugs often hide and breed. Water early in the day so leaves dry quickly, making them less attractive to pests. Inspect plants for signs of trouble, such as holes in leaves or sticky residue.

Crop rotation is key for pest control. By not planting the same family of vegetables, like beans or tomatoes, in the same spot each year, you break the lifecycle of many pests and diseases. Use row covers, especially for young seedlings, to block out insects until plants are more established.

Choose pest-resistant varieties when starting seeds. Mixing in strong-scented plants, like marigolds, can help repel certain pests. Marigolds release chemicals that drive away nematodes and some beetles, and are easy to grow beside many vegetables.

Encouraging Beneficial Insects

Your garden needs helpful bugs as much as it needs pest control. Beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps, eat harmful pests and keep their numbers down naturally. Attracting these insects supports the balance in your garden and can reduce the need for chemical sprays.

Plant a mix of flowers and herbs to draw in beneficial insects. Good options include marigolds, dill, fennel, and yarrow. These plants offer pollen and nectar, providing food for both adult and larval stages of beneficial insects.

Provide protection by leaving some mulched or untidy areas in the garden for insects to hide and lay eggs. Avoid broad-spectrum pesticides since these can kill helpful bugs as well as harmful ones.

Companion Planting Basics

Companion planting means growing certain plants next to each other to boost growth, repel pests, or attract good insects. For example, growing basil next to tomatoes can make tomatoes taste better and help repel flies and mosquitoes. Beans enrich the soil by fixing nitrogen, which can help other crops nearby.

Some classic combinations—like planting carrots with onions—work because onions mask the scent of carrots, making it harder for carrot flies to find them. Planting marigolds throughout the vegetable plot can protect crops by repelling pests and attracting pollinators.

Companion planting makes your space more productive and can be a helpful tool for natural pest control. For more details and a full list of effective pairings, see this companion planting guide.

Planning for Fall and Winter Gardening

Planning ahead for the colder months lets you keep fresh harvests coming and protect your garden soil. You can plant vegetables that thrive in cool weather, improve your soil health, and shield your crops from harsh winter conditions.

Sowing Fall Crops

Fall is the time to sow vegetables that thrive in the cool season. Focus on crops such as kale, spinach, lettuce, radishes, and turnips. Most fall crops should be started 8 to 10 weeks before your first expected frost.

Sheet out your planting dates based on your zip code or local frost information. Leafy greens like kale and spinach tolerate frosts and keep growing into early winter if protected. Direct sow seeds in well-prepared soil or start seeds indoors for transplanting, especially in regions with early frost.

Use a simple chart for fall planting windows:

Choose fast-maturing varieties to ensure you beat the cold.

Utilizing Cover Crops

Cover crops add nutrients to your soil and stop erosion during winter. Rye, clover, and vetch are common cover crops for gardens. Plant them after harvesting your main crops, or between summer and fall plantings.

Cover crops act as a living mulch. They keep weeds down, add organic matter, and can even fix nitrogen in the soil. Turn them under in early spring to enrich your soil for the next growing season.

Vetch and clover work especially well for soil building. Rye is very good for stopping soil loss. Choose the best cover crop based on your goals and local climate. For more details on cover crops and timing, see this seasonal gardening calendar guide.

Winter Protection Strategies

Cold weather can damage plants if you’re not prepared. Row covers, cold frames, and straw mulch provide simple protection for crops like spinach and kale. Row covers trap warmth and prevent frost from harming leaves.

Use thick mulch around root crops to keep the ground from freezing too early. Cold frames are great for growing leafy greens well into winter. Place old windows or clear plastic lids over sturdy frames to make a basic cold frame.

Water your garden before the first hard freeze to help insulate roots. Remove any diseased plant material before winter to decrease pest problems in the spring. Find more winter gardening tips in this month-by-month guide.

Harvesting and Reviewing Your Seed Calendar

Tracking your harvests and reviewing your seed calendar helps you improve your garden plan and make smarter decisions each growing season. Careful notes about timing, yield, and plant health are key to long-term success and better crop rotation choices.

Optimal Harvest Timing

Knowing when to harvest is important for taste, nutrition, and overall yield. Look at the “days to maturity” on your seed packets. Mark the expected harvest dates in your calendar when you plant, counting forward from the sowing or transplant date.

Keep checking your plants for signs they are ready to pick—color, size, and texture matter. For example, lettuce is best before it bolts, while tomatoes should be fully colored and slightly soft. Mark your actual harvest dates on your calendar in pen or a different color. This helps you track how real harvest times differ from the plan.

A simple table can help you log specific crops, planned harvest windows, and actual harvest dates:

Track what works well for your region and be as specific as you can.

Post-Season Evaluation

Once the growing season ends, take time to review what happened in your garden. Compare your planned vs. actual planting and harvesting dates using calendar notes or tables. Check for patterns, such as crops that matured earlier or later than expected.

Write down which varieties did best and which ones struggled. Make notes if you had pest problems or lower yields and think about what caused them. Check if any areas became overcrowded or if some rows had empty spots—this can guide how you adjust your garden plan.

Add simple comments in your calendar like “beans too crowded” or “tomato variety resisted drought.” Your notes will be useful in future garden seasons.

Updating Your Calendar for Next Year

After looking over your harvest and notes, update your seed calendar for next year to avoid repeating mistakes. If certain crops matured late or early, shift your sowing or transplant dates accordingly. Adjust planting windows so you stagger harvesting for a continuous supply and avoid gaps.

Plan your crop rotation by switching plant families in each bed to reduce disease and pest problems. Add new varieties that performed well and cross out ones that underperformed.

Print a new calendar or update your digital version. Use color-coding or symbols to highlight changed dates, new crops, and rotation plans. This approach helps make your next season smoother and more productive.

Frequently Asked Questions

A seed calendar helps you stay organized, makes your timing more accurate, and supports better plant health. Knowing what to do and when is important, especially with changes in weather and climate.

What garden tasks should be prioritized at the beginning of the planting season?

At the start of the season, focus on cleaning out garden beds and testing your soil if needed. Plan your planting layout and gather your seeds and tools. Start seeds indoors for crops that need more time, and watch closely for the right time to sow early spring vegetables outside.

How can regional climate zones affect a seed planting calendar?

Your local climate zone decides your frost dates, which are the biggest factor in choosing when to plant seeds and transplant seedlings. Warmer areas may let you start growing outside earlier, while colder zones require more indoor seed starting. Check local frost dates and adjust your calendar so your seeds have the best chance to grow well.

What are the best practices for tracking the growth progress of seeded plants?

Write down your sowing, transplant, and harvest dates in a garden journal or on your seed calendar. Take notes about each plant’s health, growth speed, and any issues like pests or diseases. Using symbols and short notes helps you quickly spot what needs attention and see patterns over the season, as explained in this seed calendar guide.

Which vegetables and flowers are ideal for starting indoors, and when should they be sown?

Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, broccoli, cabbage, and many annual flowers like marigolds and petunias should be started indoors. Usually, start these seeds 6 to 8 weeks before your last expected frost. Check your seed packets for specific timing information, since each plant can have different needs.

How should unexpected weather conditions alter a pre-planned seed calendar?

If a late frost comes or temperatures swing, delay sowing seeds outdoors or protect young plants with covers. Drought or heavy rain may require waiting or adjusting your watering routine. Use your notes and stay flexible so you can quickly react when conditions change.

Can you provide a general timeline for transplanting seedlings outdoors?

Transplant cool-season crops like lettuce and broccoli 2 to 4 weeks before the last frost if they’re hardened off. Warm-season crops like tomatoes and peppers should be moved outside 1 to 2 weeks after your last frost, once nights stay above 50°F. For detailed steps and timing, see this month-by-month planting guide.