In our previous article we talked about GARDENS AND MAINTENANCE. In this article, we will discuss about planting regarding each season. The planting season depends on the type of the plant and the climate of each area.
Many experienced gardeners consider autumn is the best time to create a garden with a future success. In our climate, which is consisted of four seasons, plants alternate phases of rest and phases of activity. For most species there are two phases of rest – one in summer and one from autumn to early spring – which vary depending on the roughness of the micro-climate of each area. For example, in the autumn months the perennial deciduous trees and bushes enter the resting phase, by dropping their leaves.
Planting trees
It is more beneficial to do all plantings during the rest season, (between autumn and spring), when the weather is sweet, because the young plants can take advantage of the cool climate and the rainy season, so that they take root well before the summer drought.
Before planting new trees, we need to know if the tree we want to plant grows in the climatic conditions of our area, taking into account the natural properties of the soil that we are going to cultivate. The first step is to prepare the soil for cultivation is by plowing the field, removing stones and unwanted weeds. Trees need fertile and fluffy soil to take root and grow.
Arboriculture
Arboriculture in March becomes imperative, especially when the weather starts to get hot and dry. In the orchards, the planting of evergreen or deciduous fruit-trees in the mountainous and cold or wet places is accelerated. In order to succeed, they must be watered frequently and protected from the sudden drought of spring but also from the north winds, otherwise the prosperity of the plantations becomes doubtful or impossible.
On the contrary, evergreen conifers such as black pine should be planted in the fall, after the autumn rains, when the soil is well watered to a depth of 30-40 cm and until the end of January. In northern Greece and at higher altitudes, where the rains continue throughout the spring and the first months of summer, planting can continue until March or a little later. Planting is best done on cloudy or foggy days and avoid dry days with too much wind or too much heat and sun. We should never plant when there is a risk of frost or the soil is flooded.
Vegetable garden
Other than planting trees, we also need to know about all kinds of vegetables. You may also take a look at the following table. This is a summary listing for the cultivation of vegetables and trees in a useful guide for both beginners and more experienced growers:
WHEN | WHAT |
January | PLANT: evergreen conifers SOW: garlic REPOT: – HARVEST: peas, carrots, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, broccoli, beetroot, potatoes, spinach |
February | PLANT: potatoes SOW: carrots, onions, lettuce, beetroot, garlic, spinach REPOT: lettuce HARVEST: peas, carrots, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, beetroot, celery, spinach |
March | PLANT: evergreen or deciduous fruit-trees, potatoes SOW: tomatoes, carrots, beets, radishes, endives, spinach, celery, parsley, dill, coriander, cucumbers, pumpkins, onions, lettuce, eggplant, beetroot, peppers, spinach, basil, leeks REPOT: tomatoes, peppers, parsley, eggplants in a greenhouse, lettuce, leeks HARVEST: lemons, oranges, mandarins, bergamots, lettuces, broccoli, cauliflower, green onions-garlic, radishes, zucchini, spinach, celery, peas, celery |
April | PLANT: potatoes SOW: dill, carrots, cucumbers, pumpkins, eggplant, melon, peppers, tomatoes, basil, corn, onions, parsley, okra, leeks REPOT: zucchini, parsley, eggplant, leeks HARVEST: peas, lettuce, spinach |
May | PLANT: – SOW: dill, cucumbers, pumpkins, eggplant, melon, peppers, tomatoes, basil, sweet potatoes, corn, watermelon, zucchini, cauliflower, cabbage, parsley, okra, leeks REPOT: watermelon, zucchini, parsley, eggplant, melon, leeks HARVEST: artichoke, dill, peas, parsley, lettuce, spinach |
June | PLANT: – SOW: dill, carrots, cucumbers, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, corn, watermelon, zucchini, cauliflower, cabbage, parsley, eggplant, okra REPOT: watermelon, zucchini, parsley, eggplant, melon, leeks HARVEST: artichoke, cucumbers, dill, basil, carrots, zucchini, onions, parsley, beetroot, potatoes |
July | PLANT: potatoes SOW: dill, carrots, pumpkins, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, beetroot, zucchini, parsley REPOT: zucchini, cauliflower, cabbage, parsley HARVEST: cucumbers, dill, basil, corn, carrots, zucchini, onions, parsley, eggplant, okra, tomatoes, beetroot, potatoes, peppers, leeks |
August | PLANT: potatoes SOW: carrots, pumpkins, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, broccoli, beetroot, spinach REPOT: cauliflower, cabbage HARVEST: cucumbers, dill, basil, corn, watermelon, zucchini, onions, parsley, eggplant, okra, tomatoes, potatoes, melon, peppers, leeks |
September | PLANT: – SOW: artichoke, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, broccoli, spinach, celery REPOT: cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, celery HARVEST: cucumbers, dill, sweet potato, corn, watermelon, zucchini, parsley, eggplant, okra, tomatoes, melon, peppers, leeks |
October | PLANT: – SOW: artichoke, peas, garlic, lettuce, celery REPOT: cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, celery HARVEST: cucumbers, dill, sweet potatoes, watermelon, zucchini, cauliflower, cabbage, parsley, eggplant, okra, broccoli, tomatoes, melon, peppers |
November | PLANT: – SOW: peas, garlic REPOT: lettuce, celery HARVEST: dill, cauliflower, cabbage, parsley, lettuce, broccoli |
December | PLANT: – SOW: garlic REPOT: celery HARVEST: peas, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, broccoli, potatoes, celery, spinach |
