Arugula-Rocket: Direct sow as soon as soil can be worked in spring and again late summer for fall. Row spacing: 12–18 in. Sow thinly and keep evenly moist for tender leaves. Prefers cool weather; partial shade helps in heat. Harvest baby leaves at 20–25 days or cut whole plants at 35–40 days. Succession sow every 2–3 weeks.

Basil-Genovese: Start indoors 4–6 weeks before last frost or direct sow after nights stay above 50°F. Row spacing: 18–24 in. Full sun, fertile, well‑drained soil. Pinch growing tips early to promote bushiness and delay flowering. Keep evenly moist; harvest by taking stems above a node—never more than one‑third of the plant at once.

Bean, Bush — Blue Lake Bush 274: Direct sow after danger of frost when soil reaches 60°F+. Row spacing: 18–24 in. Keep evenly moist during bloom and pod set. Avoid high nitrogen (beans fix their own). Pick frequently when pods are smooth and snap easily to encourage continued production.

Bean, Pole — Kentucky Wonder (Brown Seeded): Direct sow after frost beside a sturdy trellis/support 6–8 ft tall. Row spacing: 30–36 in along the support. Water consistently during flowering. Harvest young and often; frequent picking keeps vines producing and pods stringless.

Beet — Detroit Dark Red: Direct sow in early spring or late summer; beets prefer cool weather. Row spacing: 12–18 in. Soak seed 1 hour to speed germination. Thin promptly to final spacing—thinnings are edible. Keep soil consistently moist. Harvest baby roots at 1–1½ in or full size at 2–3 in diameter.

Carrot — Scarlet Nantes: Direct sow in loose, stone‑free soil as soon as ground can be worked. Row spacing: 12–18 in. Keep surface uniformly moist for 1–3 weeks while germinating; consider covering with burlap until sprouts appear. Thin to final spacing for straight roots. Harvest at 6–7 in long.

Chives: Start indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost or direct sow in spring. Row spacing: 12–18 in. Full sun to part shade, well‑drained soil. Keep evenly moist to establish. Cut leaves to 1–2 in above the base and they’ll regrow. Divide clumps every 2–3 years.

Cilantro — Slow Bolt: Direct sow early spring through early summer and again late summer for fall. Row spacing: 12–18 in. Succession sow every 2–3 weeks. Prefers cooler weather and steady moisture. Harvest leaves anytime; for coriander seed, let plants flower and dry, then collect seedheads.

Corn — Golden Bantam 12: Direct sow after soil is 60°F+. Plant in blocks of 4+ short rows for good pollination. Row spacing: 30–36 in. Side‑dress with nitrogen at knee‑high and tasseling. Keep evenly watered during silk and ear fill. Harvest when silks brown and kernels are full and milky.

Cucumber — Boston Pickling: Direct sow after frost when soil is 65°F+ or start 3–4 weeks early and transplant gently. Row spacing: 48–60 in (or 24–30 in on a trellis). Keep evenly moist and mulch to deter bitterness. Pick frequently at 3–5 in to keep vines producing.

Cucumber — Marketmore 76: Direct sow after frost or transplant 3–4‑week starts carefully. Row spacing: 48–60 in (or 24–30 in on a trellis). Provide steady moisture and mulch. Harvest at 7–9 in; frequent picking stimulates more fruit.

Cucumber — Tendergreen Burpless: Direct sow after frost in warm soil or transplant 3–4‑week starts carefully. Row spacing: 48–60 in (or 24–30 in trellised). Keep moisture even to avoid bitterness. Harvest at 7–9 in while skins are tender.

Dill — Bouquet: Direct sow after frost or start 2–3 weeks early in cells (transplant gently). Row spacing: 18–24 in. Full sun, well‑drained soil. Harvest foliage anytime; collect seedheads when tan and dry for pickling spice. Allow some reseeding for a continuous patch.

Kale — Lacinato (Dinosaur): Direct sow early spring or late summer, or start indoors 4–6 weeks before transplanting. Row spacing: 18–24 in. Full sun to part shade. Keep evenly moist; pick outer leaves as needed. Flavor improves after light frost. Use row cover to block cabbage worms.

Lettuce — Butterhead ‘All Year Round’: Start indoors 4–6 weeks before last frost or direct sow in cool weather. Row spacing: 12–18 in. Harden off; transplant when 3–4 in tall with 3–4 true leaves. Provide consistent moisture and light shade in heat. Harvest whole heads or pick outer leaves.

Marigold — Cracker Jack Mix (African): Start indoors 4–6 weeks before last frost or direct sow after frost. Row spacing: 18–24 in. Full sun. Pinch early for bushier plants. Deadhead to keep flowers coming; great for cutting.

Nasturtium — Alaska: Direct sow after frost; nasturtiums dislike root disturbance. Row spacing: 12–18 in. Prefers poorer, well‑drained soils—too much fertility reduces bloom. Full sun to part shade. Water moderately. Harvest flowers and young leaves for a peppery bite.

Parsley — Italian Giant (Flat‑Leaf): Start indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost; seeds germinate slowly—soak 12–24 hours to speed. Row spacing: 12–18 in. Transplant after hardening off. Full sun to part shade, rich soil, and steady moisture yield the best leaves. Cut outer stems at the base.

Pea, Snap — Super Sugar Snap: Direct sow as soon as soil can be worked; peas love cool weather. Row spacing: 24–36 in with a trellis. Inoculating seed can improve yields. Keep evenly moist, especially during flowering. Harvest when pods are plump but before peas get starchy.

Pepper, Hot — Jalapeño Early: Start indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost; keep warm (75–85°F). Row spacing: 24–30 in. Transplant after nights are consistently above 55°F. Full sun and fertile, well‑drained soil. Mulch to keep roots warm and moisture even. Harvest green or red.

Pepper, Sweet — California Wonder 300 TMR: Start indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost; provide warmth for germination. Row spacing: 24–30 in. Transplant to full sun after frost. Keep evenly moist and mulch to moderate soil temperature. Harvest green or allow to ripen to red for sweetness.

Pumpkin — Jack O’Lantern: Direct sow after frost in warm soil (70°F+), or start 2–3 weeks early in biodegradable pots to avoid root disturbance. Row spacing: 5–8 ft. Provide ample water and fertility—pumpkins are heavy feeders. Harvest when rinds are hard and fully orange; cure 1–2 weeks.

Radish — French Breakfast (Organic): Direct sow early spring and again in late summer for fall. Row spacing: 12 in. Keep soil consistently moist for quick, mild roots. Thin promptly—crowding causes pithiness. Harvest when roots are 2–3 in long and still firm.

Spinach — Bloomsdale Long Standing: Direct sow as soon as soil can be worked; spinach likes cool weather. Row spacing: 12–18 in. Provide consistent moisture and partial shade in heat. Harvest baby leaves in 25–30 days or full size in 40–50 days. Succession sow to avoid bolting.

Squash, Summer — Zucchini ‘Black Beauty’: Direct sow after frost in warm soil (65°F+), or start 2–3 weeks early and transplant gently. Row spacing: 3–5 ft. Mulch to retain moisture and reduce splash. Harvest at 6–8 in for best texture; frequent picking keeps plants productive.

Squash, Winter — Waltham Butternut: Direct sow after frost or start 2–3 weeks early in biodegradable pots. Row spacing: 5–8 ft. Full sun, fertile soil, and consistent moisture. Harvest when skins are uniformly tan and stems corky. Cure 1–2 weeks warm and dry, then store cool.

Sunflower — Mammoth Grey Stripe: Direct sow after frost; sunflowers dislike transplanting. Row spacing: 24–36 in. Full sun and well‑drained soil. Water to establish, then moderate. Stake in windy sites. Harvest seed heads when backs turn yellow‑brown; dry and rub out seeds.

Tomato — Ace 55 VF (Determinate): Start indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost. Row spacing: 36–48 in. Harden off and transplant deep after frost when plants are 6–10 in tall. Full sun; rich, well‑drained soil. Cage or stake for support. Keep evenly moist and mulch after soil warms. Feed at transplant and first bloom.

Tomato — Brandywine Pink (Indeterminate): Start indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost. Row spacing: 42–48 in. Transplant deep after frost; stake/trellis and consider pruning to 1–2 leaders. Full sun and steady moisture reduce cracking. Harvest when fruits blush pink and yield slightly to a gentle press.

Tomato — Cherokee Purple (Indeterminate): Start indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost; transplant deep after frost. Row spacing: 42–48 in. Stake/trellis and prune lightly for airflow. Keep moisture even to limit cracking. Harvest when fruits turn deep rose‑purple with green shoulders.

Tomato — Roma VF (Paste, Determinate): Start indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost. Row spacing: 36–48 in. Transplant deep after frost; cage to support heavy sets. Full sun and rich soil. Keep evenly moist to prevent blossom‑end rot. Harvest when fruits are uniform red and slightly firm.

Tomato — Sungold Hybrid (Indeterminate): Start indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost; transplant deep after frost. Row spacing: 42–48 in. Stake/trellis and prune to manage vigorous vines. Keep moisture even to minimize cracking. Pick when fruits turn deep golden‑orange.

Watermelon — Sugar Baby: Direct sow after soil is very warm (70–75°F+), or start 2–3 weeks early in biodegradable pots. Row spacing: 5–8 ft. Full sun, light fertile soil, and consistent moisture; avoid overwatering near harvest. Harvest when tendril nearest fruit browns and the ground spot turns creamy yellow.

Zinnia — California Giant Mix: Direct sow after frost or start 4 weeks early and transplant gently. Row spacing: 12–18 in. Full sun and well‑drained soil. Space for airflow and avoid overhead watering to reduce mildew. Cut regularly or deadhead to keep blooms coming.