Planting timeline for Wood River Valley

Snow is in the forecast, but one might be excused from shrugging considering the gorgeous blue skies, and brilliant sun. For gardeners, farmers, landscapers, and sun worshipers spring is right around the corner, awaiting the defrost, otherwise known as mud season. We’ve had all winter to peruse seed catalogs and the like. Now it’s time to seriously plan.

The last frost in the Wood River Valley is about June 6. Outdoors planting can begin after this last frost date. Timing for starting seeds is relative to this kick off date for our growing season.

Fairfield farmer Bill Corlett says to “choose seeds appropriate for our frost zone and short growing season: plant varieties that mature late and grow quickly. Heirloom seeds, also called open pollinated seeds, are old varieties that have not been hybridized or genetically modified. They are more nutritious and flavorful than the hybrids that are manufactured for their resistance and transportability, rather than their nutritional value. Heirloom seeds can be saved for planting in the next growing seasons. Saving hybrid seeds is not recommended as the child seed may not have retained the same qualities as the parent seed.”

Here is a list of seeds to start indoors, before transplanting outdoors after the last frost. The timing is some number of weeks prior to the transplanting date.

• 12 weeks prior: onions and leeks
• 8 weeks prior: tomatoes, peppers, eggplant
• 6 weeks prior: broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower
• 3 or 4 weeks prior: cucumbers, melons, squash

Here is a list of seeds that can be planted directly in the ground outdoors. Timing is in number of weeks prior to, or after, the last frost date. Generally, root crops (except onions) can be started from seeds planted directly outdoors.

• 5 weeks prior: kale, spinach, turnips, mustard
• 4 weeks prior: beets, carrots, peas, radishes
• 2 weeks prior: lettuce, chard
• 1 week after: beans
• 2 weeks after: corn, squash, cucumber

Here is the growing time in days, from planting in the ground, to harvest.

• 28-35 radish
• 35-45 spinach, mustard, lettuce, green onions
• 50-60 kale, chard, bush beans, turnips
• 70-85 cauliflower, peas, pole beans, cucumbers, broccoli, carrots, peppers, cabbage, corn
• 80-90 tomatoes, melons, squash
• 100    onions
• 120    potatoes

Thanks to Valley Victory Gardeners and farmer Bill Corlett for this excellent information.