Greenhouse Planting Calendar by USDA Zone
Unlock the full potential of your four-season garden. One of the greatest advantages of a greenhouse is the ability to ignore the rigid planting schedules of outdoor gardening. This tool will help you create a customized, year-round planting calendar based on your specific climate zone, so you always know what to plant and when.
Generate Your Personalized Planting Calendar
What is a USDA Hardiness Zone?
The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location. The map is based on the average annual minimum winter temperature, divided into 10-degree F zones.
Knowing your zone is the first step to successful gardening. If you don’t know your zone, you can find it by entering your ZIP code on the official USDA website. Our calendar uses this data to give you the best possible starting dates for your greenhouse crops.
How to Read Your Greenhouse Calendar
This calendar is a powerful guideline, but remember that a greenhouse gives you flexibility. Think of it as a protected microclimate where you are in control. The dates provided are a safe framework, but you can often push the boundaries.
- Start Seeds: This is the period to sow seeds in trays indoors or on a heated bench in your greenhouse.
- Transplant: This is the ideal time to move your healthy seedlings into their final, larger pots or beds within the greenhouse. –
- Direct Sow: For some crops, this indicates when you can plant seeds directly into your greenhouse beds or final containers.
- Harvest: The most exciting part! This is the window when you can expect to start enjoying the fruits of your labor.
A greenhouse’s true power is revealed in the shoulder seasons—early spring and late fall. By using tools like the best greenhouse heaters, you can start planting weeks or even months before the calendar suggests and continue harvesting long after your outdoor garden has gone dormant.
Our Favorite Crops for Greenhouse Success
While the calendar provides a wide range of options, some plants were practically made for greenhouse growing. For a truly rewarding experience, especially for new gardeners, we recommend focusing on a few superstars. Our comprehensive guide to the best vegetables to grow in a greenhouse covers these in detail, but tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and year-round leafy greens are fantastic choices that take full advantage of the protected environment you’ve created.
Success starts with the right setup. Good organization using the best greenhouse shelving is key to maximizing your space and keeping plants healthy. And remember, every successful harvest begins with a single seed, so don’t be afraid to experiment! For more foundational knowledge, our guide on greenhouse gardening tips for beginners will set you on the right path.
