Organic Vegetable Gardening
Fresh, healthy, homegrown vegetables are even better when all of your gardening practices are organic. Below are some of our tips for success.
(Click to open a printable PDF version of the information below.)
Site Selection
- Choose a sunny spot with 6+ hours of sun per day.
- Make sure there is a water source nearby and that the garden is easy to get to.
Plan the Garden
- Pick veggies your family likes to eat.
- Make a simple garden design plan to organize your selections.
Prepare the Soil
- Rich soil is the start of every healthy veggie garden. Our favorite soils to use are Black Gold Garden Compost or Black Gold Flower & Vegetable Mix. Both are organic and allow veggie plants to thrive.
- Organic soil builds over time and supports a rich and diverse microbiome.
- Mix soil into garden beds 2 to 3 weeks before planting, to allow everything to come together.
- Use Espoma’s Bio-tone in planting holes for veggie starts or mixed throughout soil for seed starting.
Plant Seeds or Vegetable Seedlings
- Starting from seeds is economical and lets you find great varieties.
- Use planting guides to determine when to plant.
- Stagger planting times to extend harvest season.
- Companion plant and plant for pollinators.
Take Care of Your Veggies
- Water daily at first, and slowly reduce frequency.
- Fertilize monthly with Espoma’s Tomato-tone.
- Scout garden regularly for pests and diseases, and be prepared to spray if needed, using Captain Jack’s DeadBug Brew, NeemMax, or Fungicide 5.
Pick when ripe and enjoy!
When to Plant Specific Vegetables
Don’t forget to choose organic!
Spring Veggie Gardening Season
Warm-Season Vegetables: plant after last frost in Feb – Apr
- Tomatoes and Peppers
- Cucumbers and Eggplants
- Corn and Beans
- Cantaloupe and Watermelon
- Squash and Zucchini
- Okra
Cool-Season Vegetables: plant before it gets too hot in Feb – Mar
- Collards and Cabbage
- Lettuce and Spinach
- Broccoli and Cauliflower
- Radishes and Carrots
Fall Veggie Gardening Season
Warm-Season Vegetables: plant in September
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Beans
- Squash
- Zucchini
Cool-Season Vegetables: plant as the weather cools in October
- Collards and Cabbage
- Lettuce and Spinach
- Broccoli and Cauliflower
- Radishes and Carrots
- Snow Peas
Anybody can sell you plants, we make sure you succeed.