Planting Calendar

Regular — keep soil moist without waterlogging, especially during flowering and pod set.

Sow successionally every 2–3 weeks for continuous harvest. Mulch between rows to retain moisture.

Moderate — water deeply once or twice weekly. Consistent moisture prevents splitting.

Thin seedlings early — each "seed" is a cluster of multiple seeds. Good for cool and warm seasons.

Regular — needs 25–40 mm/week. Avoid splashing foliage.

Best in cool season. Harvest central head when firm — side shoots will keep producing.

Regular — needs 25–40 mm/week. Even moisture prevents splitting.

Plant seedlings deeper to stabilise. Works for spring and autumn planting. Row covers protect young plants.

Moderate — consistent moisture prevents splitting. About 25 mm/week.

Loose, rock-free soil essential for straight roots. Direct sow only — don't transplant. Thin aggressively.

Regular — needs 25–40 mm/week. Uneven watering causes poor curds.

Cool-season crop. Blanch curds by tying leaves over the head when it appears.

Regular and deep — 25–35 mm/week. Consistent moisture important.

Needs soil temp ≥16 °C to germinate. Plant after last frost. Successive plantings every 3 weeks.

Regular — keep evenly moist. Very sensitive to water stress.

Shade prevents bolting in summer. Loose-leaf varieties can be cut leaf-by-leaf for ongoing harvest.

Deep and regular — 25–35 mm/week during growing season.

Plant after last frost (late October). Needs long warm season. Harvest before April frost damages fruit.

Regular — constant uniform moisture prevents bolting.

Cool-season crop. Shade prevents bolting. Swiss chard is more heat-tolerant. Harvest leaf-by-leaf.

Regular and deep — critical during tasselling and silking. 25–30 mm/week.

Plant in blocks (not single rows) for better pollination. Successive plantings every 3 weeks.

Regular and deep — 25–40 mm/week. Water at base to avoid foliage diseases.

Start indoors or use transplants. Plant after last frost. Support with stakes or cages.

Moderate — water deeply once or twice weekly. Consistent moisture prevents splitting.

Thin seedlings early — each "seed" is a cluster of multiple seeds. Good for cool and warm seasons.

Regular — needs 25–40 mm/week. Avoid splashing foliage.

Best in cool season. Harvest central head when firm — side shoots will keep producing.

Regular — needs 25–40 mm/week. Even moisture prevents splitting.

Plant seedlings deeper to stabilise. Works for spring and autumn planting. Row covers protect young plants.

Moderate — consistent moisture prevents splitting. About 25 mm/week.

Loose, rock-free soil essential for straight roots. Direct sow only — don't transplant. Thin aggressively.

Regular — needs 25–40 mm/week. Uneven watering causes poor curds.

Cool-season crop. Blanch curds by tying leaves over the head when it appears.

Regular — water when top 2 cm feels dry.

Extremely cold-hardy — flavour improves after frost. Harvest leaf-by-leaf for extended picking.

Regular — keep evenly moist. Very sensitive to water stress.

Shade prevents bolting in summer. Loose-leaf varieties can be cut leaf-by-leaf for ongoing harvest.

Moderate — reduce water as bulbs cure. Shallow watering OK.

Short-day varieties for winter, long-day for summer in SA. Plant sets close to soil surface.

Regular — keep evenly moist. Shallow-rooted; frequent light watering.

Fastest vegetable — perfect filler crop. Sow every 2 weeks for succession. Don't let them get old and woody.

Regular — constant uniform moisture prevents bolting.

Cool-season crop. Shade prevents bolting. Swiss chard is more heat-tolerant. Harvest leaf-by-leaf.

Regular — needs evenly moist soil. Inconsistent watering makes roots woody.

Cool-season crop — sow Apr–Aug. Harvest young (golf-ball size) for tender roots. Old turnips get woody.

Moderate — water deeply once or twice weekly. Consistent moisture prevents splitting.

Thin seedlings early — each "seed" is a cluster of multiple seeds. Good for cool and warm seasons.

Moderate — avoid overwatering, especially before/during frost.

Winter/cool-season crop — sow May–June. Excellent nitrogen fixer for soil improvement.

Regular — needs 25–40 mm/week. Avoid splashing foliage.

Best in cool season. Harvest central head when firm — side shoots will keep producing.

Regular — needs 25–40 mm/week. Even moisture prevents splitting.

Plant seedlings deeper to stabilise. Works for spring and autumn planting. Row covers protect young plants.

Moderate — consistent moisture prevents splitting. About 25 mm/week.

Loose, rock-free soil essential for straight roots. Direct sow only — don't transplant. Thin aggressively.

Regular — needs 25–40 mm/week. Uneven watering causes poor curds.

Cool-season crop. Blanch curds by tying leaves over the head when it appears.

Moderate — water during dry spells, reduce as bulbs mature and cure.

Plant cloves Feb–Mar in the Free State. Needs 6 months of cool weather. Stop watering before harvest.

Regular — water when top 2 cm feels dry.

Extremely cold-hardy — flavour improves after frost. Harvest leaf-by-leaf for extended picking.

Regular — keep evenly moist. Very sensitive to water stress.

Shade prevents bolting in summer. Loose-leaf varieties can be cut leaf-by-leaf for ongoing harvest.

Moderate — reduce water as bulbs cure. Shallow watering OK.

Short-day varieties for winter, long-day for summer in SA. Plant sets close to soil surface.

Regular — keep moist but not waterlogged, especially during flowering.

Cool-season crop — sow Mar–May. Needs support. Harvest pods young for sweetness. Nitrogen fixer.

Regular — keep evenly moist. Shallow-rooted; frequent light watering.

Fastest vegetable — perfect filler crop. Sow every 2 weeks for succession. Don't let them get old and woody.

Regular — constant uniform moisture prevents bolting.

Cool-season crop. Shade prevents bolting. Swiss chard is more heat-tolerant. Harvest leaf-by-leaf.

Moderate — avoid overwatering, especially before/during frost.

Winter/cool-season crop — sow May–June. Excellent nitrogen fixer for soil improvement.

Regular — needs 25–40 mm/week. Even moisture prevents splitting.

Plant seedlings deeper to stabilise. Works for spring and autumn planting. Row covers protect young plants.

Moderate — water during dry spells, reduce as bulbs mature and cure.

Plant cloves Feb–Mar in the Free State. Needs 6 months of cool weather. Stop watering before harvest.

Regular — water when top 2 cm feels dry.

Extremely cold-hardy — flavour improves after frost. Harvest leaf-by-leaf for extended picking.

Moderate — reduce water as bulbs cure. Shallow watering OK.

Short-day varieties for winter, long-day for summer in SA. Plant sets close to soil surface.

Regular — keep moist but not waterlogged, especially during flowering.

Cool-season crop — sow Mar–May. Needs support. Harvest pods young for sweetness. Nitrogen fixer.

Regular — keep evenly moist. Shallow-rooted; frequent light watering.

Fastest vegetable — perfect filler crop. Sow every 2 weeks for succession. Don't let them get old and woody.

Regular — constant uniform moisture prevents bolting.

Cool-season crop. Shade prevents bolting. Swiss chard is more heat-tolerant. Harvest leaf-by-leaf.

Moderate — avoid overwatering, especially before/during frost.

Winter/cool-season crop — sow May–June. Excellent nitrogen fixer for soil improvement.

Moderate — water during dry spells, reduce as bulbs mature and cure.

Plant cloves Feb–Mar in the Free State. Needs 6 months of cool weather. Stop watering before harvest.

Regular — water when top 2 cm feels dry.

Extremely cold-hardy — flavour improves after frost. Harvest leaf-by-leaf for extended picking.

Moderate — reduce water as bulbs cure. Shallow watering OK.

Short-day varieties for winter, long-day for summer in SA. Plant sets close to soil surface.

Regular — keep moist but not waterlogged, especially during flowering.

Cool-season crop — sow Mar–May. Needs support. Harvest pods young for sweetness. Nitrogen fixer.

Regular — constant uniform moisture prevents bolting.

Cool-season crop. Shade prevents bolting. Swiss chard is more heat-tolerant. Harvest leaf-by-leaf.

Regular — consistent moisture needed for blanching.

Plant seedlings 15–20 cm deep. Gradually mound soil as they grow to blanch white stems.

Moderate — reduce water as bulbs cure. Shallow watering OK.

Short-day varieties for winter, long-day for summer in SA. Plant sets close to soil surface.

Regular — keep moist but not waterlogged, especially during flowering.

Cool-season crop — sow Mar–May. Needs support. Harvest pods young for sweetness. Nitrogen fixer.

Regular — constant uniform moisture prevents bolting.

Cool-season crop. Shade prevents bolting. Swiss chard is more heat-tolerant. Harvest leaf-by-leaf.

Regular — needs 25–40 mm/week. Avoid splashing foliage.

Best in cool season. Harvest central head when firm — side shoots will keep producing.

Regular — needs 25–40 mm/week. Even moisture prevents splitting.

Plant seedlings deeper to stabilise. Works for spring and autumn planting. Row covers protect young plants.

Regular — needs 25–40 mm/week. Uneven watering causes poor curds.

Cool-season crop. Blanch curds by tying leaves over the head when it appears.

Regular — consistent moisture needed for blanching.

Plant seedlings 15–20 cm deep. Gradually mound soil as they grow to blanch white stems.

Regular — keep evenly moist. Very sensitive to water stress.

Shade prevents bolting in summer. Loose-leaf varieties can be cut leaf-by-leaf for ongoing harvest.

Moderate — reduce water as bulbs cure. Shallow watering OK.

Short-day varieties for winter, long-day for summer in SA. Plant sets close to soil surface.

Regular — keep moist but not waterlogged, especially during flowering.

Cool-season crop — sow Mar–May. Needs support. Harvest pods young for sweetness. Nitrogen fixer.

Regular — about 25 mm/week. Mulch to retain moisture.

Start indoors or use transplants. Soil temp 18–35 °C for germination. Long growing season needed.

Regular — constant uniform moisture prevents bolting.

Cool-season crop. Shade prevents bolting. Swiss chard is more heat-tolerant. Harvest leaf-by-leaf.

Regular and deep — 25–40 mm/week. Water at base to avoid foliage diseases.

Start indoors or use transplants. Plant after last frost. Support with stakes or cages.

Moderate — water deeply once or twice weekly. Consistent moisture prevents splitting.

Thin seedlings early — each "seed" is a cluster of multiple seeds. Good for cool and warm seasons.

Regular — needs 25–40 mm/week. Avoid splashing foliage.

Best in cool season. Harvest central head when firm — side shoots will keep producing.

Regular — needs 25–40 mm/week. Even moisture prevents splitting.

Plant seedlings deeper to stabilise. Works for spring and autumn planting. Row covers protect young plants.

Moderate — consistent moisture prevents splitting. About 25 mm/week.

Loose, rock-free soil essential for straight roots. Direct sow only — don't transplant. Thin aggressively.

Regular — keep evenly moist. Very sensitive to water stress.

Shade prevents bolting in summer. Loose-leaf varieties can be cut leaf-by-leaf for ongoing harvest.

Moderate — reduce water as bulbs cure. Shallow watering OK.

Short-day varieties for winter, long-day for summer in SA. Plant sets close to soil surface.

Regular — keep moist but not waterlogged, especially during flowering.

Cool-season crop — sow Mar–May. Needs support. Harvest pods young for sweetness. Nitrogen fixer.

Regular — keep evenly moist. Shallow-rooted; frequent light watering.

Fastest vegetable — perfect filler crop. Sow every 2 weeks for succession. Don't let them get old and woody.

Regular — constant uniform moisture prevents bolting.

Cool-season crop. Shade prevents bolting. Swiss chard is more heat-tolerant. Harvest leaf-by-leaf.

Regular — keep soil moist without waterlogging, especially during flowering and pod set.

Sow successionally every 2–3 weeks for continuous harvest. Mulch between rows to retain moisture.

Regular and consistent — water at soil level, avoiding foliage to prevent rust.

Needs support (stakes or trellis). Plant after last frost in October. Pick pods regularly to encourage production.

Moderate — water deeply once or twice weekly. Consistent moisture prevents splitting.

Thin seedlings early — each "seed" is a cluster of multiple seeds. Good for cool and warm seasons.

Regular — needs 25–40 mm/week. Avoid splashing foliage.

Best in cool season. Harvest central head when firm — side shoots will keep producing.

Regular — needs 25–40 mm/week. Even moisture prevents splitting.

Plant seedlings deeper to stabilise. Works for spring and autumn planting. Row covers protect young plants.

Moderate — consistent moisture prevents splitting. About 25 mm/week.

Loose, rock-free soil essential for straight roots. Direct sow only — don't transplant. Thin aggressively.

Regular and deep — 25–35 mm/week. Consistent moisture important.

Needs soil temp ≥16 °C to germinate. Plant after last frost. Successive plantings every 3 weeks.

Regular — keep evenly moist. Very sensitive to water stress.

Shade prevents bolting in summer. Loose-leaf varieties can be cut leaf-by-leaf for ongoing harvest.

Regular — about 25 mm/week. Mulch to retain moisture.

Start indoors or use transplants. Soil temp 18–35 °C for germination. Long growing season needed.

Deep and regular — 25–35 mm/week during growing season.

Plant after last frost (late October). Needs long warm season. Harvest before April frost damages fruit.

Regular — keep evenly moist. Shallow-rooted; frequent light watering.

Fastest vegetable — perfect filler crop. Sow every 2 weeks for succession. Don't let them get old and woody.

Regular — constant uniform moisture prevents bolting.

Cool-season crop. Shade prevents bolting. Swiss chard is more heat-tolerant. Harvest leaf-by-leaf.

Deep and regular — 25–35 mm/week during growing season.

Plant after frost (late October). Gem squash is compact for smaller gardens. Harvest before April frost.

Regular and deep — critical during tasselling and silking. 25–30 mm/week.

Plant in blocks (not single rows) for better pollination. Successive plantings every 3 weeks.

Regular and moderate — consistent but avoid waterlogging. Mulch well.

Plant slips (not seed) after last frost. Long growing season — harvest before first frost in April. Cure tubers after lifting.

Regular and deep — 25–40 mm/week. Water at base to avoid foliage diseases.

Start indoors or use transplants. Plant after last frost. Support with stakes or cages.

Deep and regular — 25–40 mm/week during growth and flowering.

Needs long warm season (12–18 weeks). Soil temp must be 27–32 °C. Direct sow only after last frost.

Regular — keep soil moist without waterlogging, especially during flowering and pod set.

Sow successionally every 2–3 weeks for continuous harvest. Mulch between rows to retain moisture.

Regular and consistent — water at soil level, avoiding foliage to prevent rust.

Needs support (stakes or trellis). Plant after last frost in October. Pick pods regularly to encourage production.

Moderate — water deeply once or twice weekly. Consistent moisture prevents splitting.

Thin seedlings early — each "seed" is a cluster of multiple seeds. Good for cool and warm seasons.

Moderate — consistent moisture prevents splitting. About 25 mm/week.

Loose, rock-free soil essential for straight roots. Direct sow only — don't transplant. Thin aggressively.

Regular and deep — 25–35 mm/week. Consistent moisture important.

Needs soil temp ≥16 °C to germinate. Plant after last frost. Successive plantings every 3 weeks.

Regular — keep evenly moist. Very sensitive to water stress.

Shade prevents bolting in summer. Loose-leaf varieties can be cut leaf-by-leaf for ongoing harvest.

Regular and deep — critical during tasselling and silking. 25–30 mm/week.

Plant in blocks (not single rows) for better pollination. Successive plantings every 3 weeks.

Regular — about 25 mm/week. Mulch to retain moisture.

Start indoors or use transplants. Soil temp 18–35 °C for germination. Long growing season needed.

Deep and regular — 25–35 mm/week during growing season.

Plant after last frost (late October). Needs long warm season. Harvest before April frost damages fruit.

Regular — keep evenly moist. Shallow-rooted; frequent light watering.

Fastest vegetable — perfect filler crop. Sow every 2 weeks for succession. Don't let them get old and woody.

Regular — constant uniform moisture prevents bolting.

Cool-season crop. Shade prevents bolting. Swiss chard is more heat-tolerant. Harvest leaf-by-leaf.

Deep and regular — 25–35 mm/week during growing season.

Plant after frost (late October). Gem squash is compact for smaller gardens. Harvest before April frost.

Regular and moderate — consistent but avoid waterlogging. Mulch well.

Plant slips (not seed) after last frost. Long growing season — harvest before first frost in April. Cure tubers after lifting.

Regular and deep — 25–40 mm/week. Water at base to avoid foliage diseases.

Start indoors or use transplants. Plant after last frost. Support with stakes or cages.

Deep and regular — 25–40 mm/week during growth and flowering.

Needs long warm season (12–18 weeks). Soil temp must be 27–32 °C. Direct sow only after last frost.

Deep and regular — keep moist but not waterlogged.

Plant after frost (late October). Harvest at 15–20 cm long to encourage continued production.

Regular — keep soil moist without waterlogging, especially during flowering and pod set.

Sow successionally every 2–3 weeks for continuous harvest. Mulch between rows to retain moisture.

Moderate — water deeply once or twice weekly. Consistent moisture prevents splitting.

Thin seedlings early — each "seed" is a cluster of multiple seeds. Good for cool and warm seasons.

Moderate — consistent moisture prevents splitting. About 25 mm/week.

Loose, rock-free soil essential for straight roots. Direct sow only — don't transplant. Thin aggressively.

Regular and deep — 25–35 mm/week. Consistent moisture important.

Needs soil temp ≥16 °C to germinate. Plant after last frost. Successive plantings every 3 weeks.

Regular — keep evenly moist. Very sensitive to water stress.

Shade prevents bolting in summer. Loose-leaf varieties can be cut leaf-by-leaf for ongoing harvest.

Deep and regular — 25–35 mm/week during growing season.

Plant after last frost (late October). Needs long warm season. Harvest before April frost damages fruit.

Regular — keep evenly moist. Shallow-rooted; frequent light watering.

Fastest vegetable — perfect filler crop. Sow every 2 weeks for succession. Don't let them get old and woody.

Regular — constant uniform moisture prevents bolting.

Cool-season crop. Shade prevents bolting. Swiss chard is more heat-tolerant. Harvest leaf-by-leaf.

Regular and deep — critical during tasselling and silking. 25–30 mm/week.

Plant in blocks (not single rows) for better pollination. Successive plantings every 3 weeks.

Regular and deep — 25–40 mm/week. Water at base to avoid foliage diseases.

Start indoors or use transplants. Plant after last frost. Support with stakes or cages.