Farm Calendar

A full year of work, not just planting dates.

A month-by-month operating rhythm for the farm, plus calendar reminders for the planting windows already used in the growing guide.

January
  • Review last season's records
  • Plan seed orders and varieties
  • Inspect stored supplies and propagation equipment
February
  • Plant dormant bare-root trees and berries when conditions allow
  • Start peppers indoors
  • Start tomatoes indoors later in the month
March
  • Direct sow hardy spring greens
  • Pot up seedlings
  • Prepare containers and raised beds
April
  • Harden off warm-season starts
  • Watch frost forecasts closely
  • Transplant tomatoes only after frost risk has passed
May
  • Set peppers, basil, cucumbers, squash, and melons outside
  • Begin warm-season watering rhythm
  • Stake crops before they get large
June
  • Mulch for moisture control
  • Scout for beetles, squash bugs, and fungal pressure
  • Record first major harvests as they happen
July
  • Keep irrigation consistent through heat
  • Harvest frequently
  • Start planning fall greens
August
  • Direct sow fall kale/collards and other cool-season crops
  • Record summer yields and problem spots
  • Begin seed-saving notes where appropriate
September
  • Transition beds toward fall crops
  • Continue orchard and perennial observations
  • Plan fall cleanup and compost inputs
October
  • Plant garlic
  • Protect tender crops from first frost
  • Move appropriate plants toward overwintering spaces
November
  • Clean and store stakes, trays, and tools
  • Add finished plant material to compost when appropriate
  • Review orchard protection for winter
December
  • Summarize the season
  • Compare experiments
  • Set next year's crop and infrastructure priorities
Reusable reminders

Add the major planting windows to your calendar.

These are the same Zone 7a planning dates used in the growing guide. Always adjust for the actual forecast.

Bare-root fruit trees & berriesPlant while dormantLate winter, before bud break: the window we used for our own orchard.
February 15+ Google Cal.ics (Apple / Outlook)
PeppersStart seeds indoors8–10 weeks before last frost. Peppers are slow to germinate, so start early.
February 1+ Google Cal.ics (Apple / Outlook)
TomatoesStart seeds indoors6–8 weeks before last frost.
February 15+ Google Cal.ics (Apple / Outlook)
Spring lettuce & greensDirect sow4–6 weeks before last frost. Tolerates a light frost fine.
March 1+ Google Cal.ics (Apple / Outlook)
TomatoesTransplant outdoorsAfter last frost, once soil has warmed.
April 25+ Google Cal.ics (Apple / Outlook)
Cucumbers & squashDirect sow or transplantWait until all frost danger has passed.
May 1+ Google Cal.ics (Apple / Outlook)
Basil & tender herbsTransplant outdoorsA late frost will kill basil overnight.
May 1+ Google Cal.ics (Apple / Outlook)
PeppersTransplant outdoorsWait for soil to hit 65°F or warmer.
May 1+ Google Cal.ics (Apple / Outlook)
MelonsDirect sow or transplantNeeds warm soil and consistent moisture.
May 10+ Google Cal.ics (Apple / Outlook)
OkraDirect sowNeeds soil at 65°F+ to germinate well.
May 15+ Google Cal.ics (Apple / Outlook)
Fall greens (kale, collards)Direct sowFor a fall and early-winter harvest.
August 1+ Google Cal.ics (Apple / Outlook)
GarlicPlant clovesEarly October, before the ground cools too far.
October 5+ Google Cal.ics (Apple / Outlook)