PHENOLOGY IN YOUR GARDEN PLANS

How phenology can help you succeed in your vegetable garden. In-case you mis-read that we are not talking about reading bumps on your head.  Planting according to the bloom times of other plants is known as phenology, a gardening approach that relies on nature’s signals to guide the timing of garden tasks.  Although we are taught to use the USDA planting zones, the calendar and sometimes the phases of the moon, phenology uses the study of periodic plant and animal life cycles and how these influence, and are influenced by, variations in climate and seasonal changes.  For instance, gardeners often plant peas when forsythia begins to bloom, sow root crops once dandelions start flowering, and transplant tomatoes when lily-of-the-valley or peonies come into bloom. 🌼🌱

Here are few of the schedules I have found on the web. Using these natural, living calendars often provides better accuracy for local weather conditions than relying solely on the calendar date. 

(Please note these are not in order of bloom time for our area, but they are applicable for our planting zones of 8B and 9A)

When crocus bloom plant radish, parsnips & spinach
When forsythia bloom plant peas, onion sets, & lettuce. Prune Roses & Fertilize Lawns 
When daffodils bloom plant beets, carrots & chard
When dandelions bloom plant potatoes & dahlias
When lilac is in first leaf plant kale, broccoli, and spinach
When maple trees leaf out plant perennial flower starts
When quince trees bloom transplant cabbage & broccoli
When apple blossoms fall plant pole beans & cucumbers. At this point in the season you can also try planting tomatoes, early corn, and peppers but be prepared to cover on frosty nights.
When lilacs bloom plant tender annuals & squashes
When lily of the valley blooms transplant tomatoes
When bearded iris bloom plant peppers & eggplant
When peonies bloom plant cantaloupe & watermelon
Look for Morel mushrooms when Redbuds begin to bloom. When the Dogwoods finish blooming, Morel season is over.