Season Plan | Garden Map | The Plot

Wilton Garden 2026: Season Plan

Abbott Hill, Wilton NH · Zone 5b · Frost-free: May 15-20

14 beds, 30" wide × 8' long, 19" pathways

Farm style, family scale. Classic garden. Disease prevention is a season-long priority.

The 14 Beds

Beds 1, 4, 10, 13 rest under cover crop (diagonal scatter). Beds 2, 3, 5-9, 11, 12, 14 grow food.

BedCropsPlantsStarting Method
1Oats + Peas → BuckwheatCover cropBroadcast
2Lettuce + Spinach + Arugula12-16 in succession wavesLettuce: transplant first 3, then direct seed. Spinach & Arugula: direct seed
3Kale + Thyme4-5 kale, 2-3 thymeKale: transplant. Thyme: buy transplants May
4Oats + Peas → BuckwheatCover cropBroadcast
5Carrots + Parsley + Onions~30 carrots (2 rows), 2-3 parsley, ~15 onionsCarrots: direct seed. Parsley: transplant. Onions: buy bundles Apr
6Broccoli + Cabbage + Cauliflower → Garlic Oct2 broccoli, 2 cabbage, 1 cauliflowerAll transplant from indoor starts
7Tomatoes (slicers + cherry/grape) + Basil4 tomatoes, 2-3 basilAll transplant
8Tomatoes (paste + flex)4 tomatoesAll transplant
9Peppers + Basil companion5 peppers, basil borderAll transplant
10Oats + Peas → BuckwheatCover cropBroadcast
11Squash + Zucchini2-3 plantsStart indoors late Apr, transplant after frost
12Cucumbers + Oregano4-5 cukes, 2 oreganoCukes: start indoors late Apr. Oregano: buy transplants May
13Oats + Peas → BuckwheatCover cropBroadcast
14Bush Beans + Beets + Cilantro + DillBeans: 2 rows. Beets/herbs: succession bordersAll direct seed

Pathways: Winter rye + NZ white clover (frost-seeded March). Living ground cover, mow as needed.

Per-Crop Starting Method

Every crop, one method. No exceptions.

CropMethodNotes
BroccoliTransplantIndoor start Mar 10
CabbageTransplantIndoor start Mar 10
CauliflowerTransplantIndoor start Mar 10
KaleTransplantIndoor start Mar 16
ParsleyTransplantIndoor start Mar 10
Lettuce (first 3)TransplantIndoor start Mar 16, 23
Lettuce (4+)Direct seedWeekly in bed 2
TomatoesTransplantIndoor start Mar 16
PeppersTransplantIndoor start Mar 10
BasilTransplantIndoor start late Apr
SquashTransplantIndoor start late Apr
CropMethodNotes
ZucchiniTransplantIndoor start late Apr
CucumbersTransplantIndoor start late Apr
ThymeBuy transplantsMay
OreganoBuy transplantsMay
OnionsBuy bundlesApril (~50 plants)
CarrotsDirect seedEvery 21 days
SpinachDirect seedEvery 7 days (spr/fall)
ArugulaDirect seedEvery 10 days (spr/fall)
Bush BeansDirect seedEvery 2 weeks
BeetsDirect seedEvery 14 days
CilantroDirect seedEvery 14 days
DillDirect seedEvery 14 days

Photograph Moments

Drop into the garden on any of these dates and this is what you see.

Photograph 1: May 1 — "The Cool Garden Wakes Up"

Transplant Day was 10 days ago. Cool-season crops settling in. Warm-season stuff still under lights or hardening off.

BedWhat You SeeHeightStage
1, 4, 10, 13Oats + peas just sprouting, thin green rows on dark soil2-3"Emergence
23 lettuce transplants in neat rows. Spinach seedlings with first true leaves. Arugula cuttable for baby greens.Lettuce 4-5", Spinach 2-3", Arugula 3-4"Early growth
3Kale transplants sturdy, blue-green. Thyme not planted yet (buying in May).Kale 5-7"Establishing
5Carrots: nothing visible yet. Parsley transplants: small clumps. Onion sets: thin green spikes standing up.Parsley 3-4", Onions 4-6"Establishing
62 broccoli, 2 cabbage, 1 cauliflower transplants under row cover.5-7"Establishing
7-9, 11-12Bare prepped soil. Waiting for frost-free. Trays on the porch.--Empty
14Bare prepped soil. Beans/beets not until late May.--Empty
PathsWinter rye 6-8", clover seedlings filling gaps.6-8"Growing in

Mostly bare earth with islands of green. A promise. Cover crop beds dot the garden at four points -- faint green patches of oats and peas among bare and newly planted beds. You can still see the bones of the bed layout. Smells like cold soil and fresh growth.

Photograph 2: June 1 — "Everything Is In the Ground"

Two weeks past frost-free. Every bed has something growing. Cool crops hitting stride. Warm crops small but visible.

BedWhat You SeeHeightStage
1, 4, 10, 13Oats 18-24" with peas climbing through, tendrils reaching. Dense green patches scattered throughout garden.18-24"Vigorous
2Lettuce in waves: first transplants nearly heading, later sowings staggered. Spinach bolting. Arugula flowering.4-12" (waves)Mixed maturity
3Kale 14-18", big textured leaves. First harvest ready. Thyme transplants 3-4", low and spreading.Kale 14-18"First harvest
5Carrots: feathery tops showing. Parsley bushy. Onions 8-10" with thickening bases.3-10"Growing
6Broccoli 18-20", heads forming. Cabbage tightening. Cauliflower curds forming.18-20"Heading
7Black Prince, Brandywine, Sun Gold, Supernova Grape 15-20", staked and caged. Basil 6-8" between cages.15-20"Vegetative
8San Marzano, Roma VF, Moskvich, New Girl F1 12-18". Moskvich already setting flowers.12-18"Vegetative
95 peppers 8-12", compact and dark green. Basil border 6-8", bushy.8-12"Vegetative
11Squash/zucchini transplants 6-10", huge leaves unfurling.6-10"Establishing
12Cucumber transplants 4-8", tendrils reaching for trellis. Oregano 4-6" spreading.4-8"Starting to vine
14Bush beans 4-6". Beets with 4-5" greens, red stems. Cilantro 4-6". Dill 6-8", feathery.4-8"Seedling

Green everywhere. No bare soil left. Cool beds (2, 3, 5, 6) mature and productive. Warm beds (7-9, 11-14) young and optimistic. The oats-and-peas towers on beds 1, 4, 10, 13 mark the four quadrants like green landmarks. Bees working clover paths.

Photograph 3: July 1 — "The Garden Is Loud"

Peak. Everything producing or about to. This is the portfolio photograph. Almost overgrown, alive, abundant.

BedWhat You SeeHeightStage
1, 4, 10, 13Oats+peas mowed last week. Buckwheat just sown, tiny green specks on fresh soil.0-1"Just sown
2Lettuce in 3-4 waves: some heads ready, some mid-size, some just sprouted. Jericho & Nevada varieties now. Spinach/arugula sections cleared and resown.2-12"Rolling harvest
3Kale 24-30", tall and dramatic like small palm trees. Thyme 6-8" in full flower, covered in bees.24-30"Full production
5Carrots: 12-15" feathery tops, orange shoulders at soil line. Parsley: 12-16" dark bushes. Onions: bulbs swelling, greens 14-16" starting to flop.5-16"First harvest
6Broccoli main heads harvested, side shoots producing. Cabbage: tight heads ready. Cauliflower: white head ready.20-24"Post-main harvest
7Black Prince, Brandywine, Sun Gold, Supernova Grape 3-4 ft. Dense jungle in cages. Green clusters everywhere. Sun Gold showing first orange. Basil 14-18". Bottom 12" of leaves pruned. Suckers removed.3-4 ftFruiting
8San Marzano, Roma VF, Moskvich, New Girl F1 2.5-4 ft. Moskvich ripening reds (earliest!). Roma compact and loaded. San Marzano tall with green plums. New Girl setting heavy clusters. Bottom leaves removed.2.5-4 ftFruiting
95 peppers 18-22" with white flowers and small green fruit. Basil border 14-16", pinched bushy.18-22"Flowering
11Zucchini/squash: massive 3-4 ft spread, dinner-plate leaves, yellow flowers, first fruits picked daily.3-4 ftProducing
12Cucumbers vining 4-6 ft on trellis, first cukes hanging. Oregano 8-12" in full flower.4-6 ftProducing
14Beans in 3 waves: oldest 18-20" with pods (harvest!), middle in flower, newest 4-6". Beets ready to pull. Cilantro 6-8" (2nd sowing). Dill 18-24" with umbrella heads.6-24"Rolling harvest

The garden feels bigger than it is. Tomato beds are green walls with first color breaking through. Kale stands like sentinels. Squash creeps into paths. Basil and oregano perfume the air. The bean bed tells the whole succession story in one glance: three heights, three ages, harvest to seedling. Cover crop beds are the quiet reset scattered across the garden -- four resting patches anchoring each quadrant. This is the photograph.

Photograph 4: August 15 — "The Turn"

The garden is shifting. Peak harvest but season bending toward fall. Determinates finishing. Disease-prevention pruning visible. Already thinking garlic and cover crops.

BedWhat You SeeHeightStage
1, 4, 10, 13Buckwheat in full bloom, white flowers, buzzing pollinators. Ready to mow before seed set.2-3 ftFlowering
2Buttercrunch and Pandero Romaine coming back as cool nights return. Some gaps. Spinach resown Sep 1 will fill in next month.3-10"Transitioning
3Kale 30"+, still going strong. Leaves tougher but producing. Thyme woody, done flowering.30"+Late production
5Late carrots 4-6" tops. Earlier sowings pulled. Parsley going to seed. Onions mostly harvested, a few drying on surface.4-16"Winding down
6Brassicas spent. Beds cleared and amended with compost. Resting for October garlic.--Garlic prep
7Black Prince & Brandywine cut back hard. Diseased leaves pulled. Sun Gold still producing. Supernova still setting. Basil flowering. Bottom half stripped bare.3-5 ft (cut)Disease mgmt
8Moskvich done, pulled. Roma VF final flush. San Marzano still producing (until frost). New Girl still setting. Half active, half cleared.VariesMixed
9Peppers at peak! Fruit coloring: reds, yellows, oranges. Prime pepper harvest. Basil seeding.20-24"Peak harvest
11Squash/zucchini massive, tired. Powdery mildew on older leaves. Slowing down. Pulled in 2-3 weeks.4+ ftDeclining
12Cucumbers slowing, vines yellowing. Last cukes picked. Oregano woody. Cleared soon.DecliningWinding down
14Final bean sowing (Aug 4) coming up. Older sowings pulled. Last beets ready. Cilantro gone. Dill going to seed.MixedWrapping up

August tiredness. Still abundant -- peppers peaking, tomatoes ripening daily, beans coming -- but you can see the end. Half the beds being cleared or cut back. Bed 6 composted for garlic, determinates pulled when done, buckwheat mowed before it seeds. Not sad, strategic. The cool-season comeback is starting in bed 2. The garden is turning a corner.

Week-by-Week Schedule

March 10-31: Indoor Starting

Week of Mar 10

Start Under LightsTraysLead TimeTarget Transplant
Broccoli72-cell, 85F6-8 wkApr 21
Cabbage72-cell, 85F6-8 wkApr 21
Cauliflower72-cell, 85F6-8 wkApr 21
Parsley (pre-soaked)72-cell, 75F8-10 wkApr 21+
Peppers50-cell, 80F, heat mat8-10 wkMay 15-20

Supplies: sterile mix, trays, heat mat, grow lights (14-16 hr timer), fan, labels.

Week of Mar 16

Start Under LightsTraysTarget Transplant
Tomatoes (all 8 varieties)50-cell / 4", 80FMay 15-20
Lettuce (Buttercrunch)72-cell, 70FApr 21
Kale72-cell, 85FApr 21

Week of Mar 23

Start Under LightsNotes
Lettuce (Pandero Romaine)Second transplant round for Apr 28

Also: frost-seed clover into pathways. Scout beds, assess soil thaw.


April 1-20: Field Prep + Cool Season Direct Seed

Apr 1-7

ActionWhereNotes
Incorporate residueBeds 2, 3, 5-9, 11, 12, 14Rake/light work, top few inches
Shape/repair bedsAll 14~1.5 ft high
Let beds settle--2-3 weeks before transplanting

Apr 7-14

ActionBedNotes
Harden off brassicas--Outside day / in at night, 7-10 days
Spinach #1 (Winter Bloomsdale)2Direct seed. Frost tolerant
Arugula #12Direct seed. Cold hardy

Apr 14-20

ActionBedNotes
Spinach #2 (Bloomsdale)2Direct seed
Lettuce (Red Carpet Mix)--Start under lights for May 5 transplant

April 21: Transplant Day 1 (Cool Season)
ActionCropBedNotes
TransplantBroccoli (2)6Row cover ready
TransplantCabbage (2)6
TransplantCauliflower (1)6
TransplantKale (4-5)3
TransplantLettuce #1 (Buttercrunch)2
TransplantParsley (2-3)5
Direct seedCarrots #1 (Rumba)5Keep moist
Direct seedBeets #11414-day succession starts
Direct seedSpinach #3 (Matador)2
Direct seedArugula #32
Sow coverOats + Peas1, 4, 10, 13N-fixing + biomass
BuyOnion bundles (~50)5Plant same week

April 22 - May 14: Cool Season Succession
DateActionBed
Apr 27Start under lights: Basil, Cucumbers, Zucchini, Squash--
Apr 28Transplant Lettuce #2 (Pandero Romaine). Direct seed: Spinach #4 (Ballet), Arugula #42
May 5Transplant Lettuce #3 (Red Carpet Mix). Spinach #5 (Matador, last). Beets #2. Arugula #5 (last). Carrots #2 (Napoli F1)2, 14, 5
May 1-10Harden off warm-season transplants (tomatoes, peppers, basil, cukes, squash)--
May 12Lettuce #4 (Tom Thumb Baby Bib). Carrots #3 (Rumba)2, 5

May 15-20: Frost-Free Date (Warm Season Transplant)
ActionCropBedNotes
TransplantBlack Prince, Brandywine, Sun Gold, Supernova Grape7Basil interplanted
TransplantSan Marzano, Roma VF, Moskvich, New Girl F18
TransplantPeppers (5)9Basil border same day
TransplantBasil (Genovese)7, 9
TransplantSquash + Zucchini (2-3)11Started indoors late Apr
TransplantCucumbers (4-5)12Started indoors late Apr
Buy + plantOregano (2)12
Buy + plantThyme (2-3)3

May 19-20

Direct SeedBed
Lettuce #5 (Olga Romaine)2
Bush Beans #1 (2 rows)14
Beets #314
Cilantro #1 (Caribe)14
Dill #1 (Bouquet)14
May 26 - June 30: Full Swing + Succession
DateActionBed
May 26Lettuce #6 (Jericho). Carrots #4 (Napoli F1)2, 5
Jun 2Lettuce #7 (Nevada). Bush Beans #2. Beets #4. Cilantro #2. Dill #22, 14
Jun 9Lettuce #8 (Canasta)2
Jun 16Lettuce #9 (Summer Mix). Beans #3. Beets #5. Cilantro #3. Dill #3. Carrots #5 (Rumba)2, 14, 5
Jun 23Lettuce #10 (Jericho)2
Jun 30Lettuce #11 (Nevada). Beans #4. Beets #6. Cilantro #4. Dill #4 (final)2, 14
Late JunMow/incorporate oats+peas. Sow buckwheat on beds 1, 4, 10, 131, 4, 10, 13

July 1-31: Mid-Summer + Transition
DateActionBed
Jul 7Lettuce #12 (Canasta). Carrots #6 (Napoli F1, final)2, 5
Jul 14Lettuce #13 (Summer Mix). Beans #5. Beets #7 (final). Cilantro #52, 14
Jul 21Lettuce #14 (Jericho)2
Jul 28Lettuce #15 (Buttercrunch). Cilantro #6 (final)2, 14
Late JulDecide second cover crop for beds 1, 4, 10, 13 (buckwheat vs sudan grass)1, 4, 10, 13

August 1-31: Late Season + Fall Prep
DateActionBed
Aug 4Lettuce #16 (Pandero Romaine). Beans #6 (final). Carrots #7 (Rumba, final)2, 14, 5
Aug 11Lettuce #17 (Red Carpet Mix)2
Aug 15+Cut back tomatoes. Pull Moskvich. Pull spent Roma VF. Remove diseased foliage.7, 8
Aug 18Lettuce #18 (Olga Romaine)2
Aug 25Lettuce #19 (Winter Density)2
Aug 15-31Clear bed 6. Amend with compost. Rest for October garlic.6

September 1-15: Fall Sowings
DateActionBed
Sep 1Lettuce #20 (Rouge D'hiver, final). Spinach #6 (Winter Bloomsdale). Arugula #62
Sep 8Spinach #7 (Bloomsdale)2
Sep 10Arugula #7 (final)2
Sep 15Spinach #8 (Winter Bloomsdale, final)2

Tomato Plan

8 plants across 2 beds. Classic varieties that people recognize and love.

Bed 7: Slicers + Cherry/Grape (+ Basil)

#VarietyTypeHabitWhy
1Black PrinceDark slicerIndeterminateDark, productive, classic Russian heirloom
2BrandywinePink slicerIndeterminateTHE classic heirloom, everyone recognizes it
3Sun Gold F1CherryIndeterminateUniversally loved, orange, sweet
4Supernova GrapeGrapeIndeterminateTrue grape type from seed inventory

Bed 8: Paste + Flex

#VarietyTypeHabitWhy
1San MarzanoPasteIndeterminateClassic Italian paste
2Roma VFPasteDeterminateClassic American paste, disease resistant (VF)
3MoskvichEarly slicerDeterminateCold-tolerant, early producer, good for NH
4New Girl F1Mid-season slicerIndeterminateDisease-resistant hybrid, reliable

Disease Prevention Strategy

All Season

Late Season (August 15+)

Lettuce Rotation

20 sowings, Apr 21 - Sep 1. Heat-tolerant types carry summer. Cool-season favorites return late summer.

#DateVarietyMethodSeason
1Apr 21ButtercrunchTransplantCool
2Apr 28Pandero RomaineTransplantCool
3May 5Red Carpet MixTransplantCool
4May 12Tom ThumbDirect seedCool
5May 19Olga RomaineDirect seedCool
6May 26JerichoDirect seedTrans.
7Jun 2NevadaDirect seedWarm
8Jun 9CanastaDirect seedWarm
9Jun 16Summer MixDirect seedWarm
10Jun 23JerichoDirect seedWarm
#DateVarietyMethodSeason
11Jun 30NevadaDirect seedWarm
12Jul 7CanastaDirect seedWarm
13Jul 14Summer MixDirect seedWarm
14Jul 21JerichoDirect seedWarm
15Jul 28ButtercrunchDirect seedCooling
16Aug 4Pandero RomaineDirect seedCooling
17Aug 11Red Carpet MixDirect seedCooling
18Aug 18Olga RomaineDirect seedCooling
19Aug 25Winter DensityDirect seedFall
20Sep 1Rouge D'hiverDirect seedFall

Spinach Rotation

8 sowings, all direct seeded in bed 2. Spring Apr 14 - May 12, then pause, then fall Sep 1-15.

#DateVarietyNotes
1Apr 14Winter BloomsdaleClassic, cold-hardy
2Apr 21BloomsdaleSavoy texture
3Apr 28MatadorSemi-savoy, bolt-resistant
4May 5BalletSmooth-leaf
5May 12MatadorLast before heat
PAUSE: Too hot June - August
6Sep 1Winter Bloomsdale
7Sep 8Bloomsdale
8Sep 15Winter BloomsdaleFinal

Succession Summary

CropFrequencySowingsDatesMethod
LettuceEvery 7 days20Apr 21 - Sep 1Transplant first 3, then direct seed
SpinachEvery 7 days8Apr 14 - May 12, Sep 1-15Direct seed
ArugulaEvery 10 days7Apr 14 - May 14, Sep 1-10Direct seed
Bush BeansEvery 2 weeks6May 20 - Aug 4Direct seed
BeetsEvery 14 days7Apr 21 - Jul 14Direct seed
CarrotsEvery 21 days7Apr 21 - Aug 4Rumba + Napoli F1 alternating
CilantroEvery 14 days6May 20 - Jul 28Direct seed
DillEvery 14 days4May 20 - Jun 30Direct seed

Seed Orders + To-Do

Seeds to Add to Library

Seeds to Order

Transplants to Buy

Fall Planning

Sources: planting-schedule.md, succession-tracker.md, cover-crop-plan.md, seed-inventory-match.md, seasonal-crop-plan.md, abbott-hill-wilton.md