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CHARITY BLOOMS
A non-profit grower
CHARITY BLOOMS PLANTING GUIDES
This guide is intended to provide a database of basic information about vegetable care.
This information is sourced and summarized from books, the internet and fellow gardeners.
We use this info as a quick reference in the field. Feel free to send us your tips and tricks!
Asparagus
Planting- Mid-May. Add compost when planting. Set in trench 6" below surface.
Fertilizing- 10-10-10 only early spring before spears emerge.
Mulching- Use hay
Beans
Seeding-Direct. 1" deep
Planting- Mid-May.
Fertilizing- Unnecessary. Can use low Nitrogen once a month.
Mulching- Use hay
Beets
Seeding- Mid-March, 1/2" deep
Soil-very loose
Planting- Early April. 4" apart
Fertilizing- Unnecessary. Can use 5-10-10 every 4 weeks.
Mulching- Use hay
Sun- Ok in partial shade.
Blueberries
Fertilizing- Once in spring before growth starts. Only use highly acidic fertilizer for blueberry plants.
Mulching- Use hay
Broccoli
Seeding- Early March. 1/2" deep
Soil-Add compost before planting
Planting-Late April
Fertilizing-10-10-10 every 4 weeks starting Mid-June.
Mulching- Use hay
Carrots
Seeding- Direct. 1/4" deep
Soil-very loose
Planting- Mid April
Fertilizing- 5-10-10 once a month after 3" tall.
Mulching- Use hay
Cauliflower
Seeding- Early March. 1/2" deep
Soil-Add compost before planting
Planting-Early May
Fertilizing-10-10-10 every 4 weeks starting Mid-June.
Mulching- Use hay
Cucumbers
Seeding-Mid-May. 1" deep
Soil-Add compost before planting
Planting-Mid- June
Fertilizing-10-10-10 every 4 weeks Mulching- Use hay
Eggplant
Seeding- Early March. 1/4" deep
Soil-Add compost before planting
Planting-Mid-May
Fertilizing-5-10-10 every 4 weeks starting Mid-June.
Mulching- Use hay
Cabbage
Seeding- Early March. 1/2" deep
Soil-Add compost before planting
Planting-Late April
Fertilizing-Heavy Nitrogen every 4 weeks
Mulching- Use hay
Celery
Seeding- Early March. On soil surface. Transplant when 2" tall into bigger pots.
Soil-Add compost before planting. Keep moist
Planting-Early June
Fertilizing-5-10-10 every 4 weeks.
Mulching- Use hay
Garlic
Fertilizing-10-10-10 early spring.
Mulching- Use hay
Kale
Seeding- Early March. 1/4" deep
Soil-Add compost before planting
Planting-Mid-April
Fertilizing-Unnecessary. Can use high nitrogen after first harvest
Mulching- Use hay
Lettuce
Fertilizing-10-10-10 every 2 weeks.
Mulching- Use hay
Leeks
Soil-Add compost before planting
Planting-Late April
Fertilizing-Unnecessary. Can use high nitrogen every 4 weeks
Mulching- Use hay
Okra
Seeding- Mid-April 1" deep
Soil-
Planting- Early June.
Fertilizing- 10-10-10 every 4 weeks
Mulching- Use hay
Onions
Seeding- Early Jan. 1/8" deep, no more than 10 hrs of growlights.
Planting- Early April. Add compost when planting. Set no more than 1" below surface. Protect from snow.
Fertilizing- Nitrogen rich, every 3 weeks until bulb formation starts
Mulching- Use hay
Peas
Seeding- Direct. 1" deep
Soil-Add compost before planting
Planting-Early April
Fertilizing-Unnecessary or 5-10-10 after they emerge
Mulching- Use hay
Sun- OK in partial shade
Peppers
Seeding- Early March. 1/4" deep
Soil-Add compost before planting
Planting-Late-May
Fertilizing-5-10-10 every 4 weeks starting Mid-June.
Mulching- Use hay
Potatoes
Soil-Add compost before planting
Planting-Mid- April
Fertilizing- 5-10-10 after planting, then every 4 weeks
Tips- Mound with compost blend every 6" of growth.
Pumpkins
Seeding- Direct. 1" deep
Soil-Add compost before planting
Planting-Late May
Fertilizing-10-10-10 first 2 months. 5-10-10 for remaining season.
Mulching- Use hay
Rasberries
Fertilizing-10-10-10 once in early spring before growth starts.
Mulching- Use hay
Rhubarb
Seeding- Mid-March. 1/4" deep
Soil-Add compost before planting
Planting-Mid- May
Fertilizing-10-10-10 only once in early spring.
Mulching- Use hay
Sun- OK in partial shade
Squash
Seeding- Early April. 1" deep
Soil-Add compost before planting
Planting-Late May
Fertilizing-5-10-10 every 4 weeks. 1 tsp per plant
Mulching- Use hay
Strawberries
Fertilizing-10-10-10 once in July after fruit production has stopped.
Mulching- Use hay
Swiss Chard
Seeding-Early April. 1/2" deep
Soil-Add compost before planting
Planting-Mid-May
Fertilizing-5-10-10 when first planted
Mulching- Use hay
Sun- OK in partial shade
Tomatoes
Seeding- Early March. 1/4" deep
Soil-Add compost before planting
Planting-Mid-May
Fertilizing-5-10-10 every 4 weeks starting Mid-June.
Mulching- Use hay
Turnips
Seeding- Mid-March, 1/2" deep
Soil-very loose
Planting- Early May. 4" apart
Fertilizing- 5-10-10 every 4 weeks
Mulching- Use hay
Calendar Summary
March 1
Start rosemary, thyme, lavender, beets, brassicas, kale, onions, peppers, eggplant and celery.
March 15
Start sage, chives, rhubarb, tomatoes, turnips, lettuce and spinach.
April 1
Start herbs, flowers, swiss chard and mizuna. Fertilize asparagus, raspberries, blueberries and rhubarb. Plant peas, beets and onions. Harvest tea.
April 15
Plant carrot seeds, potatoes and kale. Start okra seeds. Harvest tea.
May 1
Fertilize garlic, onions and potatoes. Plant leeks, turnips, and brassicas. Harvest tea.
May 15
Fertilize lettuce, leeks, swiss chard and turnips. Plant beans, eggplant, rhubarb, swiss chard, tomatoes, squash and asparagus.
Harvest tea.
June 1
Fertilize carrots, eggplant, lettuce, onions, potatoes and squash. Plant okra, celery and cucumbers. Harvest tea.
June 15
Fertilize broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, cucumbers, leeks, peppers, tomatoes and turnips. Harvest tea.
July 1
Fertilize carrots, celery, eggplant, lettuce, okra, potatoes, squash and strawberries. Plant celery, peppers and squash. Harvest tea.
July 15
Fertilize broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, cucumbers, leeks, peppers, tomatoes and turnips. Harvest tea.
Aug 1
Fertilize carrots, celery, eggplant, okra, potatoes and squash.
Aug 15
Fertilize broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumbers, leeks, peppers, tomatoes and turnips.
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