- Beans
- Bush Beans: Direct sow from mid-May to June when the soil temperature is at least 21°C. Plant seeds 4 cm deep and 8 cm apart in rows spaced 45 cm apart. Thin seedlings to 16 cm apart. Ideal soil pH is 6-6.5. Use a rich, well-drained soil with a 4-4-4 organic fertilizer and compost. Ensure full sun exposure.
- Pole Beans: Similar to bush beans, but require poles for climbing. Plant 3-4 beans per pole.
- Runner Beans: Direct sow in early May. These beans prefer cooler soil and need a trellis or net for support. Plant seeds 5 cm deep and 8 cm apart, thinning to 16 cm. Suitable for both sun and shade.
- Fava Beans: Start in late March. Follow the same planting depth and spacing as bush beans. Also adaptable to both sun and shade.
- Flowers
- Calendula and Nasturtium: Direct sow in early April when the soil is at least 12°C. Plant 2 cm deep and 15 cm apart. These flowers thrive in moderately rich, well-drained soil and full sun. They are also container-friendly.
- Borage, Cosmos, Marigold: Same as above, with a focus on full sun exposure.
- Poppy: Can be sown in fall or early April. They grow well in moderately rich to poor soil, in both sun and shade.
- Sunflower: Start from late April to May. Plant 2 cm deep, spacing them 10-15 cm apart, and thin to 45-60 cm. These require rich soil and full sun, with a specific mention of Boron in the fertilizer.
- Greens
- Various Salad Greens (like Arugula, Kale, etc.): Begin indoors in late March or July for a fall harvest, or direct sow in early April. Plant seeds 5 mm deep and 15 cm apart in rows spaced 30 cm apart. These greens prefer a pH of 6.5-7 and do well in both sun and shade.
- Spinach: Direct sow from mid-March to May. Plant 1 cm deep and 5 cm apart, thinning to 15 cm. Best grown in soil with temperatures between 5°C and 16°C.
- Beets: Start from late April to mid-July, 1 cm deep and 5 cm apart in rows. Thin to 15 cm. Full sun is ideal.
- Swiss Chard: Similar to other greens, with an emphasis on starting indoors.
- Radish: Sow early April or July for a fall crop. Plant 5 mm deep and 15 cm apart in rows spaced 30 cm. Suitable for both sun and shade.
- Herbs
- Basil: Begin indoors from late April to May, then move to containers. Requires very rich soil and full sun.
- Others (Catnip, Chamomile, Chives, Cilantro, Dill, Parsley, Summer Savory): These can be directly sown or started indoors depending on the variety, generally preferring moderately rich soil and adaptable to both sun and shade.
- Lettuce: Start indoors in late March and direct sow from mid-April. Plant 1 cm deep and 20 cm apart, suitable for both sun and shade.
- Grains
- Amaranth: Direct sow from late May to June. Plant seeds 5 mm deep and thin to 20 cm apart. Requires full sun.
- Peas
- Varieties like B.Nano, Sugar, and Champion: Start in early April. Plant 2.5 cm deep and 10 cm apart. Provide support for climbing. Adaptable to sun and shade.
- Cascadia: Similar to other peas, but this bush variety requires some support.
- Squash
- Cucamelon: Start indoors in mid-May, then direct sow in June. Plant 2.5 cm deep and 23 cm apart. Full sun is necessary.
- Cucumber, HoneyNut, Pumpkin, Zucchini: Similar to Cucamelon in terms of planting depth and spacing, but with variations in row spacing for the larger varieties.
- Tomatoes
- Varieties like Blueberry, Choc Cherry, Jaune Flamme, Rose, Zia Maria: Start indoors from late March to early April, then transplant in May or June. Requires staking or training to poles.
- Varieties like Merville, Farthest North, Principe b.: Similar to above, but utilize tomato cages and avoid pruning.
Remember to always ensure that your soil is rich and well-drained, and adjust the use of organic fertilizers and compost as needed for each plant type. Happy gardening!