When to Plant Vegetables in New England
There’s nothing quite like harvesting a vegetable from your own garden. If you live in New England and are looking forward to a rewarding harvest, it all starts with knowing when the best time is to plant your vegetables.
In New England, the temperatures can get a little chilly in the winter, but are also warm enough in the spring, summer, and fall to cultivate a variety of vegetables.
Vegetables for Cool Weather
To get a jump start on harvesting in early spring, plant cool-weather vegetables such as kale, carrots, spinach, and lettuces. These veggies can handle temperatures that are down at 40-45°F and can even survive a slight frost. Plant these vegetables in late winter or early spring, usually 3-5 weeks before the last average frost.
Vegetables for Warm Weather
Once spring arrives, plant warm-weather vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. When the soil temperature reaches around 70°F, the veggies can start to be planted outdoors. Depending on your area, these warm-weather veggies can be planted as early as late April or as late as early June.
Vegetables for the Late Summer and Fall
To keep enjoying those home-grown veggies much later into the year, you can plant vegetables in the late summer for fall harvesting. Plant cool-weather vegetables such as kale, cauliflower, spinach, and cabbage in late summer; they can handle the chillier temperatures that start in late September and October.
Timing is Everything
Once you know when to plant vegetables, you can start sowing your chores and counting down the days for tasting the fruits of your labour. Here is a quick guide for when you can plant various vegetables in New England:
- Cool-Weather Veggies: 3-5 weeks before the last average frost
- Warm-Weather Veggies: When the soil temperature reaches 70°F
- Late-Summer/Fall Veggies: Late summer to early fall
Happy planting!
