Garden Planning: Key Concepts

HARDINESS ZONES
The USDA hardiness zones are based on the average annual minimum temperature for a given location. The USDA
map provides an easy guideline for categorizing locations suitable for winter survival of a rated plant in an "average"
winter. These zones are most useful to gardeners East of the Mississippi. Bridgewater is in zone 6A.

FROST DATES
Frost dates are based on historical data compiled by the United States Department of Agriculture, and should be
used as a reference. The chance of an early or late surprise frost is always a possibility. The probability of frost or
freeze is greatly affected by elevation, the direction of sunlight (north, south, east or west), prevailing winds and
other factors. Our frost dates are May 15th and October 15th.

DAYS TO MATURITY
This number estimates how many days it will take from seeding/planting until a vegetable is ready to harvest. Some
vegetables may have two numbers listed, for example lettuce may be 21 DTM for loose leaf lettuce or 40 DTM for
head lettuce. Days to Maturity are very general guidelines at best and are affected by all kinds of variables - weather,
sun exposure, watering and fertilizing schedule, soil temps, etc.

SEED STARTING
Seed Starting refers to germinating seeds in order to grow seedlings in a greenhouse. Seed starting is helpful to get
plants started before it is warm enough outside, for growing in soils that are well-suited to direct seeding, or for
getting a jump-start on a crop.

TRANSPLANTING
Transplanting refers to moving seedlings or small plants from containers into the ground. Seedlings need to be
hardened off before they are transplanted, meaning that they are placed in a protected, outdoor space for a few
days so that they can transition to the weather conditions outside the greenhouse.

DIRECT SEEDING
Seeding plants directing into the ground. This technique is most commonly used for root vegetables, salad greens
and legumes.

SUCCESSION PLANTING
In agriculture, succession planting refers to several planting methods that increase crop availability during a growing
season by making efficient use of space and timing. There are four basic approaches:
Two or more crops in succession: After one crop is harvested, another is planted in the same space. The length of
the growing season, climate, and crop selection are key factors. For example, a cool season spring crop could be
followed by a heat-loving summer crop.

Same crop, successive plantings: Several smaller plantings are made at timed intervals, rather than all at
once. The plants mature at staggered dates, establishing a continuous harvest over an extended period.
Lettuce and other salad greens are common crops for this approach.
Two or more crops simultaneously: Non-competing crops, often with different maturity dates, are planted
together in various patterns. Intercropping is one pattern approach; companion planting is a related,
complementary practice.
Same crop, different maturity dates: Several varieties are selected, with different maturity dates: early,
main season, late. Planted at the same time, the varieties mature one after the other over the season.