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Wilton Garden 2026: Season Plan (Revised)

Abbott Hill, Wilton NH · Zone 5b · Last frost: ~May 18 · First frost: ~Oct 1

14 beds, 30″ wide × 8′ long, 19″ pathways · Beds A1–G2 (1–14)

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

What Changed

Differences from the original season plan, based on what actually happened and updated advice from Anthony, Cory, and Eliot Coleman.

Bed Assignments

Bed 1: Sweet potatoes removed. Now flex/cover crop bed (oats+peas through mid-June, then available for assignment).
Bed 6: No broccoli or cauliflower started. Only Tierra cabbage + Minuet napa cabbage (sown Mar 16). Transplant date corrected to Apr 13 (not Apr 21). Fall turnips Jul 20, bok choy Aug 10, garlic Oct 15 added.
Bed 3: Chard (Bright Lights, 2 plants) added May 15 alongside kale. Thyme + sage noted.
Bed 5: Radish interplant as row markers added. Scallions noted as edge planting.
Bed 10: Edible snap/snow peas on trellis added (one section).

Timing Corrections

Bed 6 transplant: Apr 13 (was Apr 21).
Bed 9 peppers: Jun 1 (was May 15–20). Per Anthony: peppers need warm soil.
Potatoes (Bed 4): Mid-to-late June (was May). Per Anthony: better bug pressure, better overall performance.
Beets (Bed 14): First sowing beginning of May (was Apr 21). Per Cory: not a cold germinator, likes ~70°F soil.
Lettuce succession: Every 10 days (was 7). Per Anthony.

Spring Gap Crops

Beds 7, 8, 9: Radish + arugula sown Apr 10, harvested/cleared before main warm-season crops. Free food from otherwise empty beds.
Bed 9 also gets spring turnips (Tokyo Cross) Apr 15, harvested by May 20.

Growing Notes Integrated

Per Anthony: Skip spring broccoli (buttons from temp swings). Provider is THE bush bean. Fall spinach far superior to spring. Potatoes mid-late June.
Per Cory: Buckwheat NEVER in a mix. Beets not a cold germinator. Fall spinach preferred. Peas direct seed only. Tarp beds in spring.
Brassica seedlings: Only Tierra cabbage + Minuet napa cabbage were started (Mar 16). Currently hardening off. No broccoli/cauliflower seedlings exist.

Coleman Techniques Added

Under-sow clover 3 weeks after brassica transplant (Bed 6).
3-week rule: wait 3 weeks after tilling green manure before planting.
Winterkill covers after early-finishing crops.
Residue management: remove spent crop debris to compost for immediate replanting.

Real Estate & Pull Triggers

A crop past its prime is a disease host occupying space. Pull at peak or right after — no hospice, no “maybe one more week.” Free the bed, build the soil, move on.

Crop Lifecycles

Crop	In	Prime	Pull Trigger	Don’t Wait For
Cabbage (Tierra)	Apr 13	Jun 1–15	Head tight → cut, pull stump	A second head. Not worth the space.
Napa Cabbage (Minuet)	Apr 13	May 25–Jun 10	Head firm at 9″ → cut, pull stump	48-day crop. Fast. Done.
Spinach	Apr 14	Apr 28–May 15	First bolt sign → pull that day	It won’t un-bolt
Arugula	Apr 14	Apr 28–May 15	First flowers → pull	Bitter woody leaves nobody wants
Parsley	Apr 21	May–Jun	Seed stalk forming → pull	Done once it bolts
Onions	Apr 21	Jun–Jul	Tops flop → pull, cure immediately	Regrowth. There is none.
Moskvich	May 18	Jul 1–20	Flush ripened, no new fruit → pull	Determinate. No second act.
Roma VF	May 18	Jul 10–Aug 1	Main flush done → pull	Same. One run.
Zucchini/Squash	May 15+	Jun 15–Jul 15	Powdery mildew OR production drops → pull	“One more squash.” No.
Cucumbers	May 15	Jun 20–Jul 20	Vines yellowing, slowing → pull	A second wind that isn’t coming
Basil	May 28	Jun–Jul	Flowering despite pinching → pull, make pesto	Brown stems, sad leaves
Cilantro	May 20+	2–3 wk/sowing	Bolt → pull, resow if in window	Cilantro doesn’t un-bolt
Dill	May 20+	3–4 wk/sowing	Umbrella heads forming → harvest heads, pull	Let it self-sow only if you want it there
Bush Beans	May 20+	2–3 wk/sowing	Pick clean, pods slowing → pull	Tough stringy pods. Per Anthony: Provider only.
Beets	May 5+	8–9 wk/sowing	Golf ball to tennis ball → pull	Woody softball-sized beets
Carrots	Apr 21+	10–12 wk/sowing	Shoulders 1″+ visible → pull	Giant cracked carrots splitting open

Long-Season Earners

These justify their space through fall.

Crop	In	Prime	End Strategy
Black Prince	May 18	Jul–Aug	Cut hard Aug 15. Pull Sep 1–15 or first blight.
Brandywine	May 18	Jul–Aug	Same. Don’t let blight jump to neighbors.
Sun Gold	May 18	Jul–Sep	Pull Sep 15 or first blight. It’ll go forever but blight won’t wait.
Supernova Grape	May 18	Jul–Sep	Same as Sun Gold.
San Marzano	May 18	Aug–Sep	Indeterminate paste, goes long. Pull Sep 15.
New Girl F1	May 18	Jul–Sep	Disease-resistant hybrid. Pull Sep 15.
Kale	Apr 21	Jun–Oct	Gets sweeter after frost. Earns every inch.
Chard	May 15	Jun–Oct	Cut-and-come-again. Frost tolerant.
Peppers	Jun 1	Aug–Sep	First hard frost. Harvest everything the night before.

Bed Occupancy Month by Month

Bed	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct
1	Oats+peas	Growing	Mow mid-Jun. Flex bed.	Available	Available	Available	Available
2	Spinach, arugula, lettuce	Lettuce waves. Pull bolters	Lettuce waves (heat-tolerant)	Lettuce waves	Lettuce waves	+Fall spinach/arugula/lettuce	Late lettuce
3	Kale in (21st)	+Chard May 15. +Thyme, sage	First kale cuts	Full production	Producing	Sweeter after frost	Through frost
4	Oats+peas	Oats+peas	Potatoes in mid-June	Growing, hilling	Growing	Harvest Sep	Rest
5	Carrots+Parsley+Onions+Radish markers	Succession carrots	Parsley OUT. Onions swell	Onions OUT. Carrots only	Late carrots	Final carrots	Rest
6	Cabbage in Apr 13	Growing under row cover	Cabbage OUT Jun–Jul	Turnips sown Jul 20	Bok choy sown Aug 10	Bok choy harvest	Garlic Oct 15
7	Radish+arugula gap crop	Tom+Basil in ~May 18	Staking	Fruiting	Cut hard. Basil OUT	All out Sep 15	Rest
8	Radish+arugula gap crop	Tom in ~May 18	Staking	Mosk OUT. Others fruit	Roma OUT. 2 remain	Out Sep 15	Rest
9	Radish+arugula+turnip gap	Turnips harvest, prep	Peppers in Jun 1	Flowering, fruit setting	PEAK. Basil OUT	Until frost	Frost kill
10	Peas on trellis + oats/peas	Peas producing	Peas done. Buckwheat SOLO	Buckwheat	Mow buckwheat	Mulch	Rest
11	–	Squash/Zuc in	Producing	PULL late Jul	Fall turnips+arugula	Harvest	Rest
12	–	Cukes+Oregano in	Producing	Slowing	PULL early Aug. Fall radish+arugula	Harvest	Rest
13	–	Oats+peas	Growing	Buckwheat SOLO	Mow buckwheat	Mulch	Rest
14	Prep	Beans+Edamame+Beets+C+D	Rolling succession	Rolling	Final sowings	Last pulls	Rest

Freed real estate: Bed 1 opens mid-June (flex bed all season). Bed 11 opens late July. Bed 12 opens early August. Bed 6 clears Jun–Jul, gets fall crops, then garlic Oct. Half of Bed 8 opens late July (Moskvich gone).

The 14 Beds

Beds 10, 13 rest under cover crop (with edible peas on Bed 10). Bed 1 is flex/cover crop. Beds 2–9, 11, 12, 14 grow food. Bed 4 grows potatoes mid-June+.

Bed	Label	Crops	Plants	Starting Method
1	A1	Cover Crop (flex)	Oats+peas Apr, then available	Broadcast. Sweet potatoes removed — bed available for assignment after oats+peas.
2	A2	Lettuce + Spinach + Arugula	12–16 in succession waves	Lettuce: transplant first 3, then direct seed every 10 days (Per Anthony). Spinach/arugula: direct seed
3	B1	Kale + Chard + Thyme + Sage	4–5 kale, 2 chard, 2–3 thyme, 1–2 sage	Kale: transplant. Chard: transplant May 15. Thyme/sage: buy transplants May.
4	B2	Potatoes	15–20 plants	Buy seed potatoes, plant mid-to-late June (Per Anthony).
5	C1	Carrots + Parsley + Onions + Parsnips + Scallions + Radish markers	~30 carrots, 2–3 parsley, ~15 onions, ~10 parsnips, scallions edge, radishes interplanted	Carrots/parsnips/radishes: direct seed. Parsley: transplant. Onions: buy bundles April. Scallions: direct seed/sets
6	C2	Tierra Cabbage + Minuet Napa Cabbage → Fall Turnips → Bok Choy → Garlic	2–3 cabbage, turnips, bok choy	Cabbage: transplant Apr 13 (sown Mar 16). Fall crops: direct seed. Garlic: plant cloves Oct 15.
7	D1	Tomatoes (slicers + cherry) + Basil	4 tomatoes, 2–3 basil	All transplant. Spring gap crop (radish+arugula Apr 10) before tomatoes.
8	D2	Tomatoes (paste + flex)	4 tomatoes	All transplant. Spring gap crop (radish+arugula Apr 10) before tomatoes.
9	E1	Peppers + Basil companion	5 peppers, basil border	All transplant Jun 1. Spring gap crop (radish+arugula+turnip Apr 10–15) before peppers.
10	E2	Edible Peas (trellis) + Oats/Peas → Buckwheat	Peas on 4ft Hortonova trellis + cover crop remainder	Peas: direct seed Apr 15. Cover crop: broadcast.
11	F1	Squash + Zucchini → Fall Turnips + Arugula	2–3 plants, then fall crops	Start indoors late April, transplant after frost. Fall crops: direct seed Aug 1.
12	F2	Cucumbers + Oregano → Fall Radish + Arugula	4–5 cukes, 2 oregano, then fall crops	Cukes: start indoors late April, transplant. Oregano: buy transplants May. Fall crops: direct seed Aug 10.
13	G1	Oats + Peas → Buckwheat	Cover crop	Broadcast
14	G2	Bush Beans + Pole Beans + Edamame + Beets + Cilantro + Dill	Beans: bush (Provider) + pole (trellis). Edamame alternates with bush bean rounds. Beets/herbs: succession	All direct seed. Pole beans need trellis/stakes. Per Anthony: Provider is the only bush bean variety worth growing.

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.

Crop	Method	Notes
Cabbage (Tierra + Minuet)	Transplant	Sown Mar 16 (both varieties). Transplant Apr 13.
Kale	Transplant	Indoor start Mar 16
Parsley	Transplant	Indoor start Mar 9 (pre-soaked)
Lettuce (first 3)	Transplant	Indoor start Mar 25 (98-cell tray)
Lettuce (sowing 4+)	Direct seed	Every 10 days in Bed 2 (Per Anthony)
Tomatoes	Transplant	Indoor start Apr 15 (Per Anthony: mid-April, they come fast)
Peppers	Transplant	Indoor start Apr 8 (Per Anthony: fruit days Apr 8–9). Transplant Jun 1
Chard (Bright Lights)	Transplant	Indoor start Apr 16. Transplant May 15 to Bed 3
Basil	Transplant	Indoor start mid-May (Per Anthony: in greenhouse)
Squash	Transplant	Indoor start late Apr/mid-May, transplant late May
Zucchini	Transplant	Indoor start mid-May (Per Anthony: grow very fast)
Cucumbers	Transplant	Indoor start mid-May, transplant ~10 days later
Thyme	Buy transplants	May
Oregano	Buy transplants	May
Sage	Buy transplants	May
Onions	Buy transplant bundles	April (~50 plants)
Potatoes	Seed potatoes	Mid-to-late June, Bed 4 (Per Anthony)

Crop	Method	Notes
Carrots	Direct seed	Every 21 days, 7 sowings
Spinach	Direct seed	Spring: every 7 days (5 sowings, Apr 14–May 12). Fall: 3 sowings Sep 1–15
Arugula	Direct seed	Every 10 days, spring + fall
Bush Beans	Direct seed	Every 2 weeks. Provider ONLY (Per Anthony)
Beets	Direct seed	Every 14 days, 7 sowings. Start May (Per Cory: not a cold germinator, likes ~70°F soil)
Cilantro	Direct seed	Every 14 days. Per Anthony: very difficult in spring, fantastic in fall
Dill	Direct seed	Every 14 days
Edamame	Direct seed	Alternating with bush beans, May+
Parsnips	Direct seed	Apr 21, with carrots in Bed 5
Pole Beans	Direct seed	May, trellis in Bed 14
Scallions	Direct seed or sets	April+, edge-planted in Bed 5
Peas (edible)	Direct seed	Apr 15, Bed 10 trellis section. Per Cory: direct seed only
Radishes	Direct seed	Apr 10 (gap crops in Beds 7–9), Apr 21 (row markers in Bed 5)
Turnips (spring)	Direct seed	Apr 15, Bed 9 gap crop (Tokyo Cross 35d)
Turnips (fall)	Direct seed	Jul 20 (Bed 6), Aug 1 (Bed 11)
Bok Choy (fall)	Direct seed	Aug 10 (Bed 6). 30–60d. Prime season, no flea beetles.
Garlic	Plant cloves	Oct 15, Bed 6. Mulch with 4–6″ straw. Harvest next July.

Week-by-Week Schedule

MARCH: Indoor Starting

Week of Mar 9

Start Under Lights	Trays	Lead Time	Target Transplant
Parsley (pre-soaked)	72-cell, 65°F	8–10 wk	Apr 21

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

Week of Mar 16

Start Under Lights	Trays	Target Transplant
Cabbage (Tierra)	10×20 flat, 70°F	Apr 13
Cabbage (Minuet napa)	10×20 flat, 70°F	Apr 13
Kale (Lacinato, Red Russian, White Russian)	72-cell, 70°F	Apr 21

Note: No broccoli or cauliflower started this round. Per Anthony: skip spring broccoli (buttons from temperature swings). Only cabbage seedlings exist.

Week of Mar 25

Start Under Lights	Trays	Target Transplant
Lettuce (Buttercrunch)	98-cell tray, 65°F	Apr 21

Per Anthony: start end of March. 98-cell trays (7×14). Surface sow — seeds need light.

Also this month

Late March: Frost-seed NZ white clover into pathways (broadcast on freeze-thaw ground, 1/4 lb per 1,000 sq ft)
Late March: Scout all beds, assess residue and soil thaw
Late March: Per Cory: tarp beds in spring to warm soil and suppress weeds

APRIL 1–12: Field Prep + Gap Crops

Week of Apr 1–7

Action	Where	Notes
Incorporate buckwheat residue	All beds	Rake/light work, top few inches
Shape/repair raised beds	All 14 beds	~1.5 ft high
Let beds settle	–	Need 2–3 weeks before transplanting
Begin hardening off cabbage seedlings	–	Outside during day, in at night, 7–10 days

Coleman: 3-week rule — Wait 3 weeks after tilling green manure before planting. Residue must decompose or it robs nitrogen.

Week of Apr 8–12

Action	Bed	Notes
Start under lights: Peppers	–	Per Anthony: fruit days Apr 8–9. 80°F, heat mat. Slowest to germinate.
Direct seed: Radish + Arugula (gap crop)	7, 8, 9	Apr 10. Free food from beds waiting for warm-season crops. Radish 22d, arugula baby greens 21d.

APRIL 13: Transplant Day 1 (Brassicas)

Cabbage seedlings go out. These were sown Mar 16 and have been hardening off for ~7 days.

Action	Crop	Bed	Notes
Transplant	Tierra cabbage (2–3 plants)	6	57-day crop. Row cover ready for flea beetles.
Transplant	Minuet napa cabbage (2–3 plants)	6	48-day crop. 9″ tall heads, sweet taste. Row cover.

Coleman: Under-sow white clover 3 weeks after transplant (~May 4). Living mulch suppresses weeds and fixes N.

APRIL 14–20: Cool Season Direct Seed

Action	Bed	Notes
Direct seed: Spinach #1 (Winter Bloomsdale)	2	Frost tolerant
Direct seed: Arugula #1	2	Fast, cold hardy
Direct seed: Peas (snap/snow)	10	One trellis section. Per Cory: direct seed only, one shot before heat.
Direct seed: Spring turnips (Tokyo Cross)	9	Apr 15. Gap crop, 35 days. Harvested by May 20.
Prep row cover/frost blankets	–	Ready for transplant days
Start under lights: Tomatoes (all 8 varieties)	–	Apr 15. Per Anthony: mid-April, they come fast. 80°F.
Start under lights: Chard (Bright Lights)	–	Apr 16. For Bed 3 May 15 transplant.

APRIL 21: Transplant Day 2 (Cool Season)

Action	Crop	Bed	Notes
Transplant	Kale (4–5 plants: Lacinato, Red Russian, White Russian)	3
Transplant	Lettuce #1 (Buttercrunch)	2
Transplant	Parsley (2–3 plants)	5
Direct seed	Carrots #1 (Rumba)	5	Keep moist, slow germination (14–21 days)
Direct seed	Parsnips (Hollow Crown)	5	Very slow germination (14–28 days)
Direct seed	Radishes (row markers)	5	Interplanted with carrots/parsnips. Up in 4 days, marks rows for slow germinators.
Direct seed	Spinach #2 (Bloomsdale)	2
Direct seed	Arugula #2	2
Sow cover	Oats + Peas	1, 4, 13	N-fixing + biomass
Buy	Onion transplant bundles (~50)	5	Plant same week, ~15 in Bed 5
Buy	Scallion sets	5	Edge-planted

APRIL 22 – MAY 14: Cool Season Succession

Lettuce every 10 days (Per Anthony), spinach every 7, carrots every 21.

Date	Action	Bed
Apr 27	Start under lights: Basil, Cucumbers, Zucchini, Squash	–
Apr 28	Spinach #3 (Matador). Arugula #3	2
May 1	Transplant Lettuce #2 (Pandero Romaine). Harvest radish gap crops from Beds 7, 8	2, 7, 8
May 1	Clear arugula gap crops from Beds 7, 8, 9	7, 8, 9
May 4	Under-sow clover around cabbage in Bed 6 (3 weeks post-transplant, Per Coleman)	6
May 5	Spinach #4 (Ballet). Arugula #4. Carrots #2 (Napoli F1)	2, 5
May 5	Beets #1 — first sowing (Per Cory: beginning of May, not April. Needs ~70°F soil.)	14
May 1–10	Harden off warm-season transplants (tomatoes, peppers, basil, cukes, squash)	–
May 11	Transplant Lettuce #3 (Red Carpet Mix)	2
May 12	Spinach #5 (Matador — last before heat). Arugula #5 (last before bolt pause). Carrots #3 (Rumba)	2, 5

MAY 15–28: Warm Season Transplant

Everything tender goes out (except peppers — those wait for Jun 1).

Action	Crop	Bed	Notes
Transplant	Chard (Bright Lights, 2 plants)	3	End of bed, alongside kale. Different family (Amaranthaceae). Cut-and-come-again.
Transplant	Squash + Zucchini (2–3)	11	Started indoors late Apr/mid-May
Transplant	Cucumbers (4–5)	12	Started indoors mid-May. Peat pots to avoid shock.
Buy + Transplant	Oregano (2)	12	Buy starts
Buy + Transplant	Thyme (2–3)	3	Buy starts
Buy + Transplant	Sage (1–2)	3	Buy starts

May 18 (Frost-free date)

Action	Crop	Bed	Notes
Transplant	Black Prince, Brandywine, Sun Gold, Supernova Grape	7	Basil interplanted between cages
Transplant	San Marzano, Roma VF, Moskvich, New Girl F1	8
Transplant	Basil (Genovese)	7, 9	Between tomato cages + pepper border (pepper border goes in with peppers Jun 1)

Do NOT transplant peppers yet. Per Anthony: peppers need warm soil. Transplant Jun 1.

May 19–20

Action	Crop	Bed
Direct seed	Lettuce #4 (Tom Thumb Baby Bib)	2
Direct seed	Bush Beans #1 (Provider — 2 rows)	14
Direct seed	Beets #2	14
Direct seed	Cilantro #1 (Caribe)	14
Direct seed	Dill #1 (Bouquet)	14
Harvest	Spring turnips from Bed 9 (Tokyo Cross, sown Apr 15)	9

MAY 29 – JUNE 30: Full Swing + Succession

The garden is fully planted after peppers go in Jun 1. Now it’s about keeping succession going, pulling spent crops, and starting cover crops.

Date	Action	Bed
May 29	Lettuce #5 (Olga Romaine). Carrots #4 (Napoli F1)	2, 5
Jun 1	Transplant Peppers (5 plants) + Basil border	9
Jun 2	Beets #3. Cilantro #2. Dill #2	14
Jun 8	Lettuce #6 (Jericho — heat-tolerant). Bush Beans #2	2, 14
Jun 15	Mow/incorporate oats+peas on Bed 1. Bed available for assignment.	1
Jun 16	Beets #4. Cilantro #3. Dill #3. Carrots #5 (Rumba)	14, 5
Jun 18	Lettuce #7 (Nevada)	2
Jun 18	Potatoes in. Seed potatoes planted Bed 4. Per Anthony: mid-to-late June. Better bug pressure.	4
Jun 22	Bush Beans #3	14
Jun 25	Mow/incorporate oats+peas on Beds 10, 13. Sow buckwheat SOLO. Per Cory: NEVER mix buckwheat.	10, 13
Jun 28	Lettuce #8 (Canasta)	2
Jun 30	Beets #5. Cilantro #4. Dill #4 (final)	14

Coleman: Residue management. When pulling spent crops (spinach, arugula, parsley), remove all debris to compost pile. Clean beds allow immediate replanting or cover cropping.

JULY 1–31: Mid-Summer + Transition

Date	Action	Bed
Jul 6	Bush Beans #4	14
Jul 7	Carrots #6 (Napoli F1)	5
Jul 8	Lettuce #9 (Summer Lettuce Mix)	2
Jul 14	Beets #6. Cilantro #5	14
Jul 18	Lettuce #10 (Jericho)	2
Jul 20	Fall turnips sown in Bed 6 (Tokyo Cross 35d, Purple Top 50d). Free food in the garlic prep window.	6
Jul 20	Bush Beans #5 (Per Anthony: last planting — don’t go into August).	14
Jul 28	Beets #7 (final). Cilantro #6 (final). Lettuce #11 (Nevada)	14, 2
Late Jul	Mow buckwheat on Beds 10, 13 BEFORE seed set. Sow second round buckwheat SOLO or rest.	10, 13
Late Jul	Pull squash/zucchini from Bed 11 when production drops or powdery mildew hits.	11

AUGUST 1–31: Late Season + Fall Prep

Date	Action	Bed
Aug 1	Fall turnips + fall arugula sown in Bed 11 (after squash clears)	11
Aug 4	Carrots #7 (Rumba — final). Bush Beans #6 (final)	5, 14
Aug 7	Lettuce #12 (Canasta)	2
Aug 7	Pull cucumbers from Bed 12 when vines yellow/slow	12
Aug 10	Fall bok choy sown in Bed 6. 30–60 days. Prime season — no flea beetles. Row cover for insurance. Clear before garlic Oct 15.	6
Aug 10	Fall radishes + fall arugula sown in Bed 12 (after cukes clear)	12
Aug 15+	Cut back indeterminate tomatoes hard. Remove diseased foliage. Focus remaining fruit on ripening. Pull Moskvich (done). Pull spent Roma VF.	7, 8
Aug 17	Lettuce #13 (Summer Mix)	2
Aug 25	Sow fall spinach #6 (Space). Per Anthony: fall spinach is FAR superior — 3–4 cuttings, no bolting.	2
Aug 27	Lettuce #14 (Jericho)	2

Coleman: Winterkill covers. After early-finishing crops (squash, cukes), sow oats+peas as a winterkill cover mix. They die over winter and provide a ready-to-plant mulch in spring. No spring tillage needed.

SEPTEMBER 1–15: Fall Sowings

Date	Action	Bed
Sep 1	Lettuce #15 (Buttercrunch). Spinach #6 (Winter Bloomsdale). Arugula #6	2
Sep 5	Fall turnips (Bed 6) ready for harvest (Tokyo Cross 35d, sown Jul 20)	6
Sep 6	Lettuce #16 (Pandero Romaine)	2
Sep 8	Spinach #7 (Bloomsdale)	2
Sep 10	Arugula #7 (final)	2
Sep 11	Lettuce #17 (Red Carpet Mix)	2
Sep 15	Spinach #8 (Winter Bloomsdale — final). Pull all tomatoes by Sep 15 or first blight.	2, 7, 8
Sep 15	Harvest potatoes (Bed 4) when tops die back	4
Sep 16	Lettuce #18 (Olga Romaine)	2
Sep 21	Lettuce #19 (Winter Density)	2

SEPTEMBER 16 – OCTOBER: Closing + Garlic

Date	Action	Bed
Sep 26	Lettuce #20 (Rouge D’hiver — final)	2
Oct 1	First frost expected. Harvest all remaining peppers the night before.	9
Oct 1	Fall bok choy harvest (Bed 6, sown Aug 10). Clear bed for garlic prep.	6
Oct 2–14	Amend Bed 6 with compost. Rest for garlic.	6
Oct 15	Garlic planted. Cloves 2″ deep, pointed end up. Mulch with 4–6″ straw. Overwinters. Harvest next July.	6
Late Oct	Final lettuce harvested. Consider cold frame extension for Bed 2.	2
Nov	Kale + chard still producing (frost improves kale flavor). Pull when done.	3

Tomato Plan

8 plants across 2 beds. Classic varieties. Transplant May 18 (frost-free date). Spring gap crops (radish + arugula, sown Apr 10) give free food from these beds before tomatoes go in.

Bed 7 (D1): Slicers + Cherry/Grape (+ Basil)

#	Variety	Type	Habit	Why
1	Black Prince	Dark slicer	Indeterminate	Dark, productive, classic Russian heirloom
2	Brandywine	Pink slicer	Indeterminate	THE classic heirloom, everyone recognizes it
3	Sun Gold F1	Cherry	Indeterminate	Universally loved, orange, sweet
4	Supernova Grape	Grape	Indeterminate	True grape type from seed inventory

Basil (Genovese) interplanted between cages.

Bed 8 (D2): Paste + Flex

#	Variety	Type	Habit	Why
1	San Marzano	Paste	Indeterminate	Classic Italian paste
2	Roma VF	Paste	Determinate	Classic American paste, disease resistant (VF)
3	Moskvich	Early slicer	Determinate	Cold-tolerant, early producer, good for NH
4	New Girl F1	Mid-season slicer	Indeterminate	Disease-resistant hybrid, reliable

Disease Prevention Strategy

All Season

24″+ spacing between plants (4 plants per 8′ bed = 24″ centers)
Prune suckers on indeterminates
Remove bottom 12″ of leaves by June for airflow
Stake and cage immediately at transplant

Late Season (August 15+)

Cut back indeterminate plants hard: remove top growth, strip diseased leaves
Focus energy on ripening remaining fruit before late blight arrives
Pull determinate plants (Moskvich, Roma VF) when they finish their flush
Clear dead/diseased material from beds immediately — to compost, not left on soil (Per Coleman)

Lettuce Rotation

20 sowings, April 21 through September 26. Every 10 days (Per Anthony — he did 15/year at this interval). Heat-tolerant types (Jericho, Nevada, Canasta) carry the summer. Cool-season favorites return in late summer. First 3 sowings transplanted. Sowing 4+ direct seeded in Bed 2.

#	Date	Variety	Method	Season
1	Apr 21	Buttercrunch	Transplant	Cool
2	May 1	Pandero Romaine	Transplant	Cool
3	May 11	Red Carpet Mix	Transplant	Cool
4	May 19	Tom Thumb Baby Bib	Direct seed	Cool
5	May 29	Olga Romaine	Direct seed	Cool
6	Jun 8	Jericho (heat-tolerant)	Direct seed	Transition
7	Jun 18	Nevada (slow bolt)	Direct seed	Warm
8	Jun 28	Canasta (heat-tolerant)	Direct seed	Warm
9	Jul 8	Summer Lettuce Mix	Direct seed	Warm
10	Jul 18	Jericho	Direct seed	Warm

#	Date	Variety	Method	Season
11	Jul 28	Nevada	Direct seed	Warm
12	Aug 7	Canasta	Direct seed	Warm
13	Aug 17	Summer Mix	Direct seed	Warm
14	Aug 27	Jericho	Direct seed	Warm
15	Sep 1	Buttercrunch	Direct seed	Cooling
16	Sep 6	Pandero Romaine	Direct seed	Cooling
17	Sep 11	Red Carpet Mix	Direct seed	Cooling
18	Sep 16	Olga Romaine	Direct seed	Cooling
19	Sep 21	Winter Density	Direct seed	Fall
20	Sep 26	Rouge D’hiver	Direct seed	Fall (final)

Per Cory: spring/fall use tender types (butterheads). End May through mid-Jul sowings use heat-tolerant varieties. After mid-Jul can return to tender types.

Spinach Rotation

8 sowings. Spring run April 14 through May 12, then summer pause (too hot), then fall run late August through September 15.

Per Anthony: gave up on spring spinach entirely. Fall spinach is FAR superior — 3–4 cuttings per plant, no bolting. Variety: Space (Eliot Coleman favorite, Cory confirms). Per Cory: spring always bolts, less yield, occupies space until end of May. Fall is the primary season.

#	Date	Variety	Notes
1	Apr 14	Winter Bloomsdale	Classic, cold-hardy
2	Apr 21	Bloomsdale	Savoy texture
3	Apr 28	Matador	Semi-savoy, bolt-resistant
4	May 5	Ballet	Smooth-leaf
5	May 12	Matador	Bolt-resistant (last before heat)
PAUSE: Too hot June–August
6	Aug 25	Space	Per Anthony: fall spinach is where it’s at. 3–4 cuttings.
7	Sep 1	Winter Bloomsdale
8	Sep 8	Bloomsdale

All direct seeded in Bed 2. Fall sowings start earlier (late Aug) to maximize the superior fall harvest window.

Carrot Rotation

7 sowings. April 21 through August 4. Rumba + Napoli F1 alternating.

Per Cory: carrots germinate fine in cold (unlike cilantro, same family but needs warmth). Can almost sow too early — they’ll just hang out until ready.

#	Date	Variety	Notes
1	Apr 21	Rumba	With radish row markers
2	May 5	Napoli F1
3	May 12	Rumba
4	May 26	Napoli F1
5	Jun 16	Rumba
6	Jul 7	Napoli F1
7	Aug 4	Rumba	Final

All direct seeded in Bed 5. Keep moist — 14–21 day germination.

Bean Rotation

6 sowings. May 20 through August 4. Provider ONLY (Per Anthony: the one variety that really performs).

Per Anthony: last planting July 20 (don’t go into August for new plantings). But #6 at Aug 4 is the final existing succession.

#	Date	Variety	Notes
1	May 20	Provider (bush)
2	Jun 2	Provider (bush)
3	Jun 16	Provider (bush)
4	Jun 30	Provider (bush)
5	Jul 14	Provider (bush)
6	Aug 4	Provider (bush)	Final

All direct seeded in Bed 14. Edamame alternates with bush bean rounds. Pole beans on trellis (one-time planting, May).

Beet Rotation

7 sowings. May 5 through July 14. Start beginning of May, NOT April.

Per Cory: NOT a cold germination crop — likes ~70°F soil. Beginning of May in a normal year. Bad spring 2025: best germination was end of May. Gold beets (Touchstone) germinate less reliably — try transplanting early season. Boulder is newer with better germination.

#	Date	Variety	Notes
1	May 5	Beet Mix (Boulder, Chioggia, Detroit Dark Red, Red Ace)	First sowing — soil should be ~70°F
2	May 19	Beet Mix
3	Jun 2	Beet Mix
4	Jun 16	Beet Mix
5	Jun 30	Beet Mix
6	Jul 14	Beet Mix
7	Jul 28	Beet Mix	Final

All direct seeded in Bed 14. Soak seeds 24hr before planting. Each “seed” is a cluster — thin to 1 plant. Pull at golf ball to tennis ball size.

Succession Summary

Crop	Frequency	Sowings	Dates	Method
Lettuce	Every 10 days (Per Anthony)	20	Apr 21 – Sep 26	Transplant first 3, then direct seed
Spinach	Every 7 days (spring)	8	Apr 14 – May 12, Aug 25 – Sep 8	Direct seed
Arugula	Every 10 days	7	Apr 14 – May 14, Sep 1–10	Direct seed
Bush Beans	Every 2 weeks	6	May 20 – Aug 4	Direct seed (Provider ONLY)
Beets	Every 14 days	7	May 5 – Jul 28	Direct seed (Per Cory: start May, not April)
Carrots	Every 21 days	7	Apr 21 – Aug 4	Direct seed, Rumba + Napoli F1 alternating
Cilantro	Every 14 days	6	May 20 – Jul 28	Direct seed
Dill	Every 14 days	4	May 20 – Jun 30	Direct seed

Coleman Techniques (2026 Integration)

Practices from Eliot Coleman’s system being integrated this season.

#	Technique	Application
1	Under-sow clover after brassica transplant	Sow white clover 3 weeks after transplanting cabbage in Bed 6 (~May 4). Living mulch suppresses weeds and fixes nitrogen. Don’t sow too early or it competes with the crop.
2	3-week rule for green manure	Wait 3 weeks after tilling in cover crops (oats+peas, buckwheat) before planting food crops. Decomposing green material temporarily ties up nitrogen and can stunt seedlings.
3	Winterkill cover crops after early finishers	After squash (Bed 11, late Jul), cucumbers (Bed 12, early Aug), and other cleared beds, sow oats+peas. They winter-kill, leaving a mulch layer ready for spring planting without tillage.
4	Residue management	Remove all spent crop debris to the compost pile. Don’t leave it on the soil surface. Clean beds allow immediate replanting and break disease cycles.
5	Spinach → peppers synergy	Coleman notes that spinach preceding peppers in the same bed builds good soil structure for the peppers. Consider for 2027 rotation: plant spring spinach in the pepper bed, then peppers after spinach bolts.

Seed Orders + To-Do

Seeds to Add to Library (somoreseeds.com)

Add pepper seed (purchased) to seed library
Add Napoli F1 carrot to seed library

Seeds to Order

Bush beans (Provider) — 2 more packets (bulk) for 6 succession sowings
Carrots — confirm Napoli F1 in stock

Transplants to Buy

Thyme transplants (2–3 plants) — May
Oregano transplants (2 plants) — May
Sage transplants (1–2 plants) — May
Onion transplant bundles (~50 plants) — April

Fall Planning

Late July: mow buckwheat on Beds 10, 13 before seed set (Cory: never mix buckwheat, major weed if it seeds)
Order seed garlic late summer for October planting in Bed 6
Assign Bed 1 (flex bed, available after mid-June oats+peas mow)

2027 Planning Notes

Rotation considerations and lessons for the winter planning session.

Rotation Map Needed

A multi-year rotation map is the #1 winter planning task. Crops need to rotate by family to prevent disease buildup:

Solanaceae (tomatoes, peppers, potatoes) — don’t follow each other. Beds 4, 7, 8, 9 all had Solanaceae in 2026.
Brassicaceae (cabbage, kale, broccoli, turnips, radish, arugula) — Beds 3, 6 primary. Gap crops in 7–9 are minor.
Cucurbitaceae (squash, zucchini, cucumbers) — Beds 11, 12 in 2026.
Fabaceae (beans, peas, edamame) — Beds 10, 13, 14 in 2026. Good predecessors for heavy feeders.
Apiaceae (carrots, parsnips, parsley, cilantro, dill) — Bed 5, 14 in 2026.
Amaranthaceae (beets, spinach, chard) — Beds 2, 3, 14 in 2026.

Coleman Synergies to Try

Spinach → peppers in the same bed. Spring spinach builds soil structure, peppers follow after spinach bolts (late May/early June timing works).
Full under-sow clover program across all brassica and long-season beds, not just Bed 6.
Systematic winterkill covers on every bed that finishes before Sep 1.

Lessons from 2026

Spring broccoli: skip it. Per Anthony, temperature swings cause buttoning. Fall broccoli only (start mid-May, transplant late June, harvest Aug–Nov). Three plantings possible.
Potatoes: plant late. Mid-to-late June is better than May. Less bug pressure, same harvest window.
Beets: not a cold germinator. Start in May, not April. Per Cory: ~70°F soil needed.
Fall spinach is the real spinach season. Per Anthony: 3–4 cuttings, no bolting. Dramatically better than spring.
Peas: one shot. Per Anthony/Cory: direct seed mid-April, gets too hot quickly. No succession.
Provider is the bean. Per Anthony: only bush bean variety worth growing.
Lettuce every 10 days, not 7. Per Anthony: 15 sowings/year at 10-day intervals is the right rhythm.
Sweet potatoes: need dedicated bed or skip. Removed from Bed 1 in 2026. Need warm, well-drained bed with long season. Evaluate if worth the real estate.
Bed 1 as flex bed worked. Having one unassigned bed after cover crop is strategic — allows responding to what’s working.

Fall Broccoli (2027 Candidate)

Per Anthony’s method: 3 plantings (mid-May, end-May, mid-June) in individual pots. Transplant late June past flea beetle season. Fat stems key for transplant survival. Crops get better and better into fall. Assign 2–3 beds for fall brassica rotation.

Sources: crop-data.js (BED_SCHEDULE + SOWING_SCHEDULE + CROPS), season-plan-2026.md (original), Anthony (field mentor), Cory (farming advisor), Eliot Coleman (reference techniques)