Timing is Everything
I was doing a bit of research on the hardiness zone we live in (Cincinnati is zone 6b) and ran across this google map mashup from the USDA that shows climate/hardiness zones in the U.S. The zone you are in determines when you can plant outdoors and when you can expect to end your season (unless you are using cold frames). Also note: microclimates which are caused by nearness to bodies of water, mountains, etc. We even have a sort of microclimate in our back yard where there is a significant dip below the hill and the soil is very sheltered.
Most seeds should be started 6 weeks before you are planning to transplant them out, but many plants can tolerate the cold and can go out earlier. Peas can go out 6 weeks before the last frost; by the time most of your vegetables will be growing in the garden the peas will be ending their spring season. Since Cincinnati is zone 6 our last frost date is somewhere between April 30-May 30. So we are starting our seeds 6 weeks out from May 1.
Personalized Planting Schedule
This is very cool and easy to use and will generate dates for you; just put in the day of your last frost (zone 6 = May1 although May10 is the date many people around here choose to go by). The chart populates with important planting dates. This site also has an interactive calendar for fall planting that works the same way – so helpful.
Here also is a printable calendar that has a bit more detail.
Galileo's Moon Phases
My grandfather, who grew up in a family of farmers and continued to garden well into his 80s, told me that the phases of the moon should be taken into account when you are planting. I’m not sure of the science behind this (if I had more time I’d do more research) but it sure worked for him. When he was young his family depended on the food that they grew; if crops failed they would literally have gone hungry. In later years he just kept one of the most productive gardens around. Something to think about.
This year we planted our cold-crops outside on March 8 which, according to the moon calendar in the Farmer’s Almanac is a “A most barren period. Best for killing plant pests or doing chores around the farm.” Oops(?).
