What is a planting schedule?

A planting schedule indicates when to start seeds and transplant seedlings based on particular climates, maximizing the amount of growing time. For instance, a planting schedule instructs gardeners to start frost-tolerant vegetables in a greenhouse in December so the plants are ready to transplant in February.

Gardeners who live in moderate climates can use a planting schedule to grow crops year-round or in three of the four seasons. Some planting schedules also indicate whether crops benefit from direct sowing or transplanting, depending on the time of year. A continual planting schedule instructs gardeners to plant new seeds every couple of weeks, ensuring a steady harvest that's ready in stages rather than all at once.