Container Garden Planting Calendar for Edibles

Container Garden
Planting Calendar
for Edibles in the N.C. Piedmont
You can grow and harvest vegetables, fruits, and herbs in the piedmont of
North Carolina practically year-round. Container gardening offers flexibility
over traditional gardening because the containers can be raised or lowered
for easier accessibility, placed in a sunny or shady spot, moved to a sheltered
area for extreme weather (low temperatures, snow, or tropical storms), and
protected from wildlife (squirrels, voles, rabbits, or deer) that may damage
plants or try to eat your harvest. By choosing the appropriate varieties
and planting at the right time of year, you can enjoy the many benefits of
gardening and create a beautiful space just outside your door.
Benefits
People grow vegetables, fruits, and herbs
for many reasons. Many edibles have great
ornamental value, such as the fine, feathery foliage of dill, the bright red stalks
of chard, the snowy white blossoms of
peas, and the bold purple color of eggplant. Besides providing a fresh source
of nutritious locally produced food, the
act of gardening has the added benefits of
improving both your mental and physical health. The sense of joy and pride in
planting, growing, and harvesting can be
tremendous. Children also benefit from
being included in container gardening
projects. Growing edibles can connect
children with the biological world around
them, increase their knowledge of where
food comes from, and expand the variety
and quantity of fresh fruits and vegetables
they consume.
Varieties
When choosing plants for your containers, select ones with a confined or compact
growth habit. Not all edibles can be grown
in containers, but new varieties are developed every year. Look for varieties that are
labeled compact, bush, dwarf, or minia-
ture. To maximize success, choose varieties
that are pest and disease resistant. Initials
following the plant variety—for example,
tomato—indicate that it has been bred
to be resistant to a disease or pest. “V”
means resistance to Verticillium wilt, “F”
indicates resistance to Fusarium wilt, and
“T” indicates resistance to Tobacco Mosaic
Virus. While these codes are the ones most
commonly used, they are not universal. So
be sure to check the key in the catalogue
you are using. Finally, choose varieties that
will provide the taste, texture, and color
that you desire.
Climate
Edibles can be grown in the piedmont
throughout the year by utilizing microclimates and protecting plants by moving
containers close to a warm wall or house.
The average low temperature in December, January, and February is 280 F to 300
F, but collards, kale, and some herbs such
as bay and rosemary will tolerate the cold
weather. The summer months of June, July,
and August are when most plants are pro-
ducing their bounty, but in this area of the country, several cool-season crops such as leafy greens, carrots, beets,
and radish can be planted in the late winter for a spring
harvest and again in the late summer for a fall harvest.
Warm season crops such as tomato, cucumber, and peppers should be planted in late spring once nighttime temperatures are above 550 F and daytime temperatures are at
least 700 F. Begin with a plan for succession planting as it
is efficient and provides an increased crop availability. It
consists of the coordination of planning the planting of
one crop so that when it is harvested, there will be another planted in its place. For example, fill a large container
with lettuce in the early spring and it will be harvested
by early to mid May. Lettuce can be replaced with a bell
pepper plant. In September, remove the pepper and plant
another cool season crop like lettuce, kale, or scallions.
Please see related Extension publications for additional
information on potting soil options, container selection,
and nutrition management.
Photo courtesy L. Bradley
Container Garden Planting Calendar for Edibles in the N.C. Piedmont
Lettuce, radish, and nasturtium planted on a sunny deck.
Planting Calendar
The calendar that follows provides information as to
which vegetables, fruits, and herbs can be planted each
month and when they will be ready to harvest. It indicates whether the plant should be started from seed or
transplants, and the guide also gives recommendations
for success for each plant.
Container Gardening
— At a Glance
In the piedmont area of NC, there are three USDA Plant
Hardiness Zones: 7a, 7b, and 8a.
USDA Hardiness Zones and Average Annual
Minimum Temperature Range
2
Zone
Fahrenheit
Example Cities
7a
0 to 5 F
Chapel Hill, Winston-Salem
7b
5 to 10 F
Lumberton, Raleigh
8a
10 to 15 F
Fayetteville, Hope Mills
• Enjoy the benefits of growing edibles yearround
• Select varieties labeled compact, bush, dwarf,
or miniature
• Choose varieties that are disease and pest
resistant where possible
• Consider a plant’s taste, texture, and color
• Use the charts to optimize planting date and
harvest time
Container Garden Planting Calendar for Edibles in the N.C. Piedmont
Container Garden Planting Calendar for Vegetables in the N.C. Piedmont
Days to
Harvest
Vegetables
Jan.
1
Feb.
15
1
15
March
April
May
June
1
1
1
15
1
15
S
15
15
July
1
15
Aug.
Sept.
1
15
1
15
S
S
T
T
T
S
S
S
S
Beans, lima – bush
65-80
S
S
S
Beans, lima – pole
75-95
S
S
S
Beans, snap – bush
50-55
S
S
S
S
S
Beans, snap – pole
65-70
S
S
S
S
S
Beets
55-60
Bok choy
45-60
Carrots
75-80
Collards
90-120
Cucumber
60-65
ST ST
Eggplant
80-85
T
Endive
80-90
Green garlic
30-35
B
Kale
50-60
ST ST ST
Leeks
70-100
Lettuce, head
75-85
ST ST ST
ST
Lettuce, leaf
45-50
ST ST ST
ST ST
Mustard greens
30-45
ST ST ST ST
Peas, garden
65-70
S
S
Peas, snap
65-70
S
S
Peas, snow
65-70
S
S
Peppers
75-80
Potatoes
100-120
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
1
1
15
15
S
ST
T
T
T
S
B
B
T
B
T
T
T
T
T
S
S
T
T
S
S
S
S
S
S
T
T
T
20-25
S
S
S
Scallions
60-80
B
B
B
Spinach
45-50
S
S
S
Squash, summer
50-60
T
T
Squash, winter
85-95
S
S
Swiss chard
60-70
ST ST ST
Tomatoes
75-85
T
S = Seeds
15
Dec.
ST ST
Radish
B = Bulbs
1
Nov.
S
T
S
Oct.
B
S
T
B
B
S
S
T
T
T
T
T = Transplants
3
Container Garden Planting Calendar for Edibles in the N.C. Piedmont
Container Garden Planting Calendar for Fruits in the N.C. Piedmont
Jan.
Feb.
Fruits
Pollination
Apple
Cross-pollination needed
P
P
P
P
Blueberries
Partially selffertile*
P
P
P
P
Citrus
Self-fertile
Fig
Self-fertile
Grapes
Most varieties
self-fertile
Peach
Most varieties
self-fertile
Strawberries**
Self-fertile
H = Harvest P = Plant
March
April
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Dec.
1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15
P
P
H
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
H
H
P
H
P
P
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
P
P
P
P
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
P
P
H
P
*Partially self-fertile means cross–pollination will result in increased yield and berry size
Photo courtesy D. J. Gunn
Photo courtesy Amy Kwok
**Strawberries planted in late February or early March will produce a very limited crop in May or early June; planting in late October or early November will produce a better yielding crop Top hat blueberry bush growing in a
colorful container.
Lemon tree on dwarfing rootstock with
fruit ready for harvest.
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Note: Blueberries, grapes, and most fruit trees will take several years to bear full crops
4
Nov.
P
Container Garden Planting Calendar for Edibles in the N.C. Piedmont
Container Garden Planting Calendar for Herbs in the N.C. Piedmont
Jan.
Feb.
March
April
May
Herbs
Harvest season
Basil
Summer
T
Bay
Continuous
T
Borage
Spring to fall
S
S
Chamomile
Late summer to early fall
S
S
Chervil
Late summer into winter
S
S
S
Chives
Spring to fall
T
T
T
Cilantro
Early summer
Dill
Summer to fall
S
S
Fennel
Late summer
S
S
Feverfew
Summer
Lavender
Summer
Lemongrass
Late summer
T
T
Lemon Verbena Summer
T
T
Marjoram
Summer
ST ST
Mint
Spring to fall
Monarda*
Summer to fall
Oregano
Summer to fall
Parsley
Summer to fall
Rosemary
June
July
August Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15
S
S
T
T
T
S
T
T
T
S
S
S
S
T
T
ST ST
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
Continuous
T
T
T
Saffron Crocus
Fall
B
B
Sage
Summer to fall
Salad Burnet
Spring to early
summer
Scented Geranium
T
T
T
T
T
Spring to fall
T
T
Stevia
Continuous
T
T
Tarragon
Spring to fall
T
T
Thyme
Summer
ST ST
ST ST ST ST
*also known as Bergamot
B = Bulbs
S = Seeds
T = Transplants
5
Container Garden Planting Calendar for Edibles in the N.C. Piedmont
Container Garden Planting Calendar for Vegetables in the N.C. Piedmont
Vegetables
Recommendations for Success
Beans
Bush beans grow 12-18 inches tall and pole beans grow up to 8 feet
Beets
Choose cylindrical or round varieties; harvest when beets are 1 inch in diameter
Bok choy
Dwarf types are available. On fall plantings, outside leaves can be harvested first while the rest of the plant
continues to grow
Carrots
Choose round, fingers, or Nantes varieties; container soil depth needs to be at least 8 inches
Cucumbers
Bush or vining varieties are fine; trellis vining varieties at time of planting
Eggplant
Choose Asian or dwarf varieties; backtrack 8 weeks if start seeds indoors (early March)
Endive
Also known as frisee; miniature variety is available. To soften the taste, tie the leaves together at the top to blanch more stem
Green garlic
Plant unpeeled individual cloves 2 inches deep; eat entire plant or slice off a portion of the green shoots and they will regrow
Leafy greens
Includes: collards, kale, mustard, and Swiss chard; can start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before planting outdoors
Leeks
Use transplants rather than direct seeding due to long maturity time
Lettuce
Categories: looseleaf lettuces will cut and come again but romaine and butterheads do not
Peas
At planting, trellis both bush and vining types; mix nitrogen-fixing inoculant into the soil along with the seeds
Peppers
Choose transplants that are dense and compact; do not plant until nighttime temperatures are >55 0F and days are >70 0F
Potatoes
Red-skinned, waxy, yellow-skinned, or fingerling types do well
Radishes
Harvest early (the size of large marbles) or they become bitter
Scallions
Grow scallions or bunching onions; when planting, use transplants or onion sets
Spinach
Harvest entire plant or pick individual leaves
Squash
Choose a bush form or miniatures; for best flavor, harvest when they are small
Tomatoes
Stake or trellis at planting; need a container depth of at least 12 inches and container size of at least 5 gallons;
prune plants to keep them under 5½ feet tall
Note: Planting dates are suggested guidelines. These dates should provide the highest probability of success, however, weather conditions vary
from year to year and planting dates should be adjusted accordingly.
If growing your own transplants, start them six to eight weeks prior to transplanting them into the garden. Protect tender transplants from severe
weather conditions. To “harden them off” just prior to transplanting, gradually introduce them to their new environment by taking them outside
for increasing periods each day.
6
Container Garden Planting Calendar for Edibles in the N.C. Piedmont
Container Garden Planting Calendar for Fruits in the N.C. Piedmont
Fruit
Recommendations for Success
Apples
Choose dwarf and disease-resistant rootstocks; need two different varieties for cross-pollination; root system is
hardy to only about 150 F; need at least a 20-25 gallon container
Blueberries
Choose a dwarf variety; keep soil pH 4.5 – 5.3; container size should be at least 2 feet × 2 feet × 2 feet
Citrus
Options include: Satsuma or Kishu mandarins, calamondins, lemons, or limes; lemons and limes do not survive
freezing weather so move the plant inside once the temperature is under 450 F; mandarins on hardy Poncirus
trifoliate semi-dwarfing rootstock and calamondins tolerate temperatures down to 250F; choose a dwarf rootstock to keep the plant small and put it in a lightweight container that can be moved indoors; if a small plant
is purchased, over time move the plant up to a larger size container, eventually reaching a 15 gallon size; citrus
will have less leaf drop if overwintered in a low-light area that is cool rather than warm
Figs
With pruning, can be kept to 8 feet tall; roots will withstand temperatures to about 150 F; need at least a 10 gallon container
Grapes
Provide a trellis to support the vertical growth; minimum container size should be 15 gallons; root system is
hardy to 20 0F; for muscadines choose a self-fertile variety; muscadines are a better choice over bunch grapes
as most muscadines are not affected by Pierce’s Disease
Peaches
Choose a genetic dwarf or bush form; roots will withstand temperatures to 150 F; need at least a 20-25 gallon
container
Strawberries
Choose June-bearing (large berries, fruit in May, produce many runners), everbearing (smaller berries, fruit in
May and again in late summer, produce less runners), day-neutral (smaller berries, fruit from June until frost,
produce few runners) or Alpine (1/2-inch berries produced throughout the growing season, send out no runners); containers need to be at least 8 inches deep; a larger crop will be produced by planting the previous fall
rather than waiting to plant until the spring.
Note: Insulate pots during the winter to protect plant roots from extreme cold temperatures. Materials that you can use to wrap the pots include
a Reemay frost blanket, bubble wrap, closed cell foam (1-inch thick), quilt batting, household insulation, or a blanket. Add a layer of plastic on top
of the insulation to keep it from getting soaked during wet weather.
Periodically check the moisture in the soil and water dry containers. Keeping the plants watered will act as a buffer to protect plant roots during
cold weather.
Choose light-colored containers to prevent temperature fluctuations. Black or very dark pots in full sun will cause soil temperatures to rise during
the day and fall at night by as much as 300 F.
Purple Beans
Photo courtesy Wendi Strang-Frost
Dwarf Bearss Lime
Photo courtesy Patricia Wrightman
Photo courtesy Pattie Tierney
Photo courtesy Rebecca Latimer
Plants in larger containers will produce more fruit, not dry out as quickly, and experience less fluctuation in soil temperature.
Lettuce, Purple Mustard, and
Swiss Chard
Thinning Huckleberry
Seedlings
7
Container Garden Planting Calendar for Edibles in the N.C. Piedmont
Container Garden Planting Calendar for Herbs in the N.C. Piedmont
8
Herbs
Recommendations for Success
Basil
Plant once temperature is above 500 F
Bay
Grows to a small tree (5 feet tall); hardy outside to around 320 F
Borage
Need container depth of at least 8 inches for large taproot; germinates quickly
Chamomile
Annual or perennial; German variety is a tall, upright plant used for tea; Roman variety is a sweet smelling, low growing plant; plant seeds once temperature is above 550 F for German and above 700 F for Roman
Chervil
Tolerates cool weather and low light; harvest in 6 to 8 weeks
Chives
Perennial - bulbs are left in place to multiply themselves; all parts of the plant are edible
Cilantro
Choose “non-bolting” type; need container depth of at least 8 inches for large taproot
Dill
Choose “dwarf” variety, need at least 12 inch deep container for long taproot
Fennel
Tender perennial; mature plant gets 2 feet tall and 1 foot wide; Sweet fennel has edible foliage, seeds, and
stalks; Florence fennel has an edible bulb; need 12 inch deep pot for large taproot
Feverfew
Perennial; crowded plants will not thrive
Lavender
Perennial; Lavandula angustifolia or L. heterophylla; keep plants clipped for good air circulation; don’t overwater or keep soil wet as roots will rot
Lemongrass
Grows to 2 feet tall and wide; Cymbopogon citratus is the only culinary lemongrass; tropical plant — likes
warm, humid, and wet conditions
Lemon Verbena
Annual or tender perennial; mature plant grows to 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide
Marjoram
Shallow rooted so starting seeds may be better than using transplants; requires 70 days to grow before harvest
Mint
Perennial; keep trimmed back; grow in its own pot as roots will take over the entire pot with time
Monarda
Perennial; 1 to 3 feet tall; large, colorful flowers also called “bee balm”
Oregano
Perennial; don’t overwater; needs good air circulation
Parsley
Cool season grower; don’t overwater; slow and erratic to germinate so use transplants if possible
Rosemary
Perennial; favors dry, poor soil; can remain outdoors to 250 F
Saffron Crocus
Perennial; plant in late spring and blooms in late fall
Sage
Perennial; harvest frequently to keep small leaves, otherwise they loose their scent
Salad Burnet
Perennial; fresh-only herb; don’t overwater; need 12 inch deep pot for long taproot
Scented Geraniums
Tender perennial; drought tolerant
Stevia
Tender perennial; grows up to 2 feet tall; leaf edges burn in hot sun; move indoors for winter
Tarragon
Perennial but dormant in winter; likes hot weather; put in own pot as roots intertwine; French variety used for cooking; best used fresh
Thyme
Perennial; drought tolerant; don’t overwater
NC STATE UNIVERSITY
Container Garden Planting Calendar for Edibles in the N.C. Piedmont
Resources
Bass, L. 2000. Home vegetable gardening: Quick reference guide. NC Coop. Ext. Serv. AG-12.
Kelly, W.T. 1999. Specialty crops: Chinese cabbage and
related oriental crops. The Univ. of GA College of Agr.
& Environ. Sci. Circ. 809.
Bost, T. 1997. North Carolina gardener’s guide. Cool
Springs Press, Nashville, TN.
McGee, R. and M. Stuckey. 2002. The bountiful container. Workman Publishing Co., New York, NY.
Creasy, R. 2010. Edible landscaping. 2nd ed. Sierra Club
Books, San Francisco, CA.
Evans, E. and J. Davis. 1998. Harvesting and preserving herbs for the home gardener. NC Coop. Ext. Serv.
Hort. Info. Lflt. 8111. 10 July 2010. http://ces.ncsu.
edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-8111.
Hastings, D. and C. Hastings. 1996. Month-by-month
gardening in the south. Longstreet Press, Atlanta, GA.
Poling, E.B., E.B. Bish, G.E. Fernandez and W. T. Bland.
1999. Grapes and berries for the garden. NC Coop.
Ext. Serv. AG-588
Reich, L. 2009. Landscaping with fruit. Storey Publishing,
North Adams, MA.
Vegetable planting guide. Stone Bros. and Byrd, 700
Washington St., Durham, NC.
Jones, D. and Debbie Roos. 2009. Planting and harvesting guide for piedmont vegetables and herbs. Growing
Small Farms, Pittsboro. 22 Feb 2011. http://www.ces.
ncsu.edu/chatham/ag/SustAg/plantingguide.html.
Prepared by
Kim Richter
Department of Horticultural Science
Lucy Bradley, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist
Department of Horticultural Science
Mark Kistler, Assistant Professor
Department of Agricultural and Extension Education
Julie Sherk, Assistant Professor
Department of Horticultural Science
Published by
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