Calendar: Succession Sowing (digital)

Our Succession Sowing Calendar is a two-pager (one page front and back) with sowing, transplanting and growing dates based on two succession methods. Suitable for gardening Zones 6-8. Available in digital (pdf) format.

Approach 1:  Half a year crop – with two sowing possibilities

Most vegetables have a growing cycle that fits within half a season, making them ideal candidates for succession sowing. Calendar includes crop that grow well in first half, second half and both of the seasons. Examples include peas that enjoy cooler climates and are, therefore, more suitable for planting in spring. These crops usually finish by early summer, freeing up space for another round of planting with different crops. Potatoes are also in this category, and while not cold-hardy, especially the first and second early potatoes, grow fast and finish in the first half of the season. Therefore, they allow for a second sowing in the same spot later in the season such as Leeks, Chicory, Winter Radishes.

Approach 2: Three Succession Sowings
This succession strategy takes advantage of fast-growing spring crops, followed by summer and winter plantings. Examples include sowing early spring vegetables like radishes and spinach that grow quickly, providing a bountiful harvest in late spring and finishing early enough to make way for frost-sensitive summer crops such as tomatoes, peppers, and zucchini. As these summer crops clear in autumn, they leave space for a third round of planting with late autumn or overwintering vegetables like spinach, winter salads, and oriental leaves. 

Print out version includes a high-quality paper that can be hang in your garden space. 

What is Succession Sowing?

Succession sowing is an essential skill in maximizing your garden’s productivity. It ensures fresh seedlings are always ready to plant as others get harvested. 

On the most basic level, succession sowing involves having an extra module tray filled with different seedlings, sown monthly with seasonal plants. 

On a more advanced level, succession sowing can be carefully planned by considering each plant’s seed-to-harvest time. By understanding how long each crop matures, you can schedule your sowing dates to ensure a seamless transition from one crop to the next. This level of planning ensures a continuous, staggered harvest throughout the growing season, maximizing your garden's efficiency and yield.