What to Plant This Year: Seed Guide for Gardeners

Written by

Paul Stark

I’ve got a confession: I’ve bought more seeds than I’ll ever plant. Some I’ve tucked away in neat little envelopes. Others… well, they’re floating somewhere at the bottom of a garden tote, probably dating back to a year when I thought growing celery from seed was a good idea. (Spoiler: it wasn’t, at least not that year.)

That’s the thing about seeds — they’re tiny promises. Some years they give you more than you could possibly eat. Other years, you wonder if they even bothered to sprout. But even after decades in the dirt, I still get that spark when I open a fresh packet.

This guide? It’s my all-in-one seed list — the vegetables, herbs, fruits, and edible flowers I think every gardener should at least know about, even if you don’t grow them all. Whether you’re in the chill of Zone 3 or the warmth of Zone 10, you’ll find something here worth planting.

Master Seed Planting List

Category	Crop	When to Sow	Spacing	Sunlight	Water Needs	Zones
Leafy Greens	Lettuce (Head)	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Leafy Greens	Lettuce (Leaf)	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Leafy Greens	Spinach	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Leafy Greens	Kale	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Leafy Greens	Swiss Chard	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Leafy Greens	Collard Greens	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Leafy Greens	Mustard Greens	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Leafy Greens	Arugula	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Leafy Greens	Endive	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Leafy Greens	Escarole	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Leafy Greens	Watercress	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Leafy Greens	Mizuna	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Leafy Greens	Pak Choi	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Leafy Greens	Tatsoi	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Root Vegetables	Carrot	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Root Vegetables	Beet	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Root Vegetables	Radish	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Root Vegetables	Turnip	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Root Vegetables	Rutabaga	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Root Vegetables	Parsnip	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Root Vegetables	Onion (Bulb)	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Root Vegetables	Shallot	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Root Vegetables	Garlic	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Root Vegetables	Leek	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Root Vegetables	Celery Root (Celeriac)	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Root Vegetables	Daikon Radish	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Root Vegetables	Kohlrabi	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Root Vegetables	Jerusalem Artichoke	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Root Vegetables	Horseradish	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Brassicas	Broccoli	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Brassicas	Broccolini	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Brassicas	Cauliflower	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Brassicas	Romanesco	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Brassicas	Brussels Sprouts	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Brassicas	Cabbage (Green)	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Brassicas	Cabbage (Red)	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Brassicas	Napa Cabbage	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Fruiting Vegetables	Tomato (Slicing)	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Fruiting Vegetables	Tomato (Cherry)	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Fruiting Vegetables	Tomato (Paste)	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Fruiting Vegetables	Pepper (Bell)	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Fruiting Vegetables	Pepper (Hot)	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Fruiting Vegetables	Eggplant	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Fruiting Vegetables	Cucumber (Slicing)	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Fruiting Vegetables	Cucumber (Pickling)	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Fruiting Vegetables	Zucchini	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Fruiting Vegetables	Summer Squash	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Fruiting Vegetables	Winter Squash	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Fruiting Vegetables	Pumpkin	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Fruiting Vegetables	Okra	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Fruiting Vegetables	Melon (Cantaloupe)	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Fruiting Vegetables	Melon (Honeydew)	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Fruiting Vegetables	Watermelon	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Fruiting Vegetables	Tomatillo	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Fruiting Vegetables	Ground Cherry	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Legumes	Pea (Shelling)	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Legumes	Pea (Snap)	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Legumes	Bean (Bush)	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Legumes	Bean (Pole)	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Legumes	Soybean (Edamame)	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Legumes	Lima Bean	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Legumes	Fava Bean	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Legumes	Black-eyed Pea	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Legumes	Chickpea	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Herbs	Basil	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Herbs	Cilantro	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Herbs	Parsley	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Herbs	Rosemary	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Herbs	Thyme	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Herbs	Oregano	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Herbs	Mint	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Herbs	Sage	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Herbs	Dill	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Herbs	Tarragon	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Herbs	Chives	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Herbs	Lemongrass	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Herbs	Fennel	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Herbs	Lovage	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Herbs	Catnip	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Herbs	Marjoram	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Herbs	Bay Laurel	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Fruits & Berries	Strawberry	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Fruits & Berries	Blueberry	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Fruits & Berries	Raspberry	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Fruits & Berries	Blackberry	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Fruits & Berries	Grape	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Fruits & Berries	Gooseberry	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Fruits & Berries	Currant	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Fruits & Berries	Cranberry	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Fruits & Berries	Apple (Dwarf)	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Fruits & Berries	Pear (Dwarf)	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Fruits & Berries	Plum (Dwarf)	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Fruits & Berries	Peach (Dwarf)	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Fruits & Berries	Fig	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Fruits & Berries	Citrus (Container)	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Fruits & Berries	Pomegranate	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Edible Flowers & Companion Plants	Nasturtium	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Edible Flowers & Companion Plants	Calendula	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Edible Flowers & Companion Plants	Borage	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Edible Flowers & Companion Plants	Chamomile	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Edible Flowers & Companion Plants	Lavender	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Edible Flowers & Companion Plants	Sunflower	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Edible Flowers & Companion Plants	Hibiscus	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Edible Flowers & Companion Plants	Echinacea	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Edible Flowers & Companion Plants	Marigold	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Edible Flowers & Companion Plants	Alyssum	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Edible Flowers & Companion Plants	Viola	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)
Edible Flowers & Companion Plants	Johnny Jump-Up	Refer to crop-specific timing based on last frost date	Varies by crop (typically 6–24 inches)	Full sun to partial shade	1 inch/week average	Zones 3–10 (check crop-specific tolerance)

Why Keep a Master Seed List?

Because gardening season has a way of sneaking up on you.

With a master list, you can:

Avoid forgetting crops you swore you’d try this year.
Plan smarter for crop rotation and companion planting.
See gaps in your garden (maybe you’ve been neglecting fall greens or root storage crops).
Match sowing dates to your frost calendar without flipping through a dozen seed packets.

Plus, having it all in one place feels good — like finally cleaning out that seed drawer and knowing what you’ve got.

How I Use Mine

I break mine down by season, space, and appetite.

Season: Cool-season crops like peas, lettuce, and spinach get the spring and fall spotlight. Heat lovers like tomatoes, peppers, and melons take the summer stage.
Space: If a plant needs room to run (I’m looking at you, pumpkins), it better have a spot. Small-space crops, like bush beans or herbs in pots, tuck in anywhere.
Kitchen use: No sense planting a row of something you’ll never eat. Grow what your family will actually cook with, and throw in a few “just for fun” crops each year.

And don’t underestimate herbs and flowers — they pull pollinators in and keep pests guessing.

The Categories

Leafy Greens

Your quick harvest champions — lettuce (head and leaf), spinach, kale, chard, collards, mustard greens, arugula, mizuna, endive, escarole, pak choi, tatsoi, watercress.

Most can handle a nip of frost and keep right on growing. Perfect for succession planting.

Root Vegetables

Carrots, beets, radishes, turnips, rutabagas, parsnips, onions, shallots, garlic, leeks, celeriac, daikon radish, kohlrabi, horseradish, Jerusalem artichokes.

They don’t need much babying once they’re in the ground. Just thin them out and let them do their thing.

Brassicas

Broccoli, broccolini, cauliflower, Romanesco, Brussels sprouts, green cabbage, red cabbage, napa cabbage.

Cool-weather workhorses, though cabbage moths can turn them into lace if you’re not watching.

Fruiting Vegetables

Tomatoes (slicing, cherry, paste), peppers (bell and hot), eggplant, cucumbers (slicing and pickling), zucchini, summer squash, winter squash, pumpkins, okra, cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon, tomatillo, ground cherry.

These are your sun-soakers. They want warmth, steady water, and a little patience.

Legumes

Shelling peas, snap peas, bush beans, pole beans, lima beans, soybeans, fava beans, black-eyed peas, chickpeas.

Good for your dinner plate and your soil — legumes fix nitrogen naturally.

Herbs

Basil, cilantro, parsley, rosemary, thyme, oregano, mint, sage, dill, tarragon, chives, lemongrass, fennel, lovage, catnip, marjoram, bay laurel.

Nothing beats stepping out the door and snipping something fresh for dinner.

Fruits & Berries

Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, grapes, gooseberries, currants, cranberries, dwarf apples, dwarf pears, dwarf plums, dwarf peaches, figs, citrus in containers, pomegranates.

Some are long-haul crops, but when they start producing, you’ll be glad you planted them.

Edible Flowers & Companion Plants

Nasturtium, calendula, borage, chamomile, lavender, sunflower, hibiscus, echinacea, marigold, alyssum, violas, Johnny Jump-Ups.

Pretty, useful, and good for the garden’s ecosystem.

Before You Plant

Start small if you’re new. Don’t try to grow everything in one year — you’ll wear yourself out and end up resenting the weeds. Add a few new crops each season, mix in the tried-and-true, and keep notes on what worked. That’s how a garden gets better over time.

FAQ

Q: What’s the easiest vegetable to start with?

A: Radishes or leaf lettuce. They sprout fast and give you a win early in the season.

Q: Can I grow warm-weather crops in a cold zone?

A: Yes, but you’ll probably need to start seeds indoors and use season extenders like row covers or greenhouses.

Q: Do I need special soil for herbs?

A: Most herbs just need well-drained soil and sun, though Mediterranean herbs like rosemary prefer it on the dry side.

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Table of Contents

Master Seed Planting List
How I Use Mine
The Categories
Leafy Greens
Root Vegetables
Brassicas
Fruiting Vegetables
Legumes
Herbs
Fruits & Berries
Edible Flowers & Companion Plants
Before You Plant
FAQ

Paul Stark

Paul Stark is one of the gardeners behind The Bright Garden, where he shares hands-on, honest advice for growing with nature. A passionate conservationist, Paul has planted over 100,000 trees in Madagascar to help fight deforestation. He’s also a former marine mammal rescuer. These days, you’ll find him in the garden with dirt under his nails, growing seedlings.

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