Advice for Spring Planting with Robin Smith

     This spring I decided that planting a garden would be educational and fun for the students in my classroom.  But as I set out to purchase the vegetables we would be using, I had no idea what were in season. So I did some research on the internet, and I figured that if I didn’t know what plants to select, I probably wasn't alone.  I figured that I would share it on Kevin's blog so that any one else, teachers or non teachers, would know what to plant during this time of the year. 

Vegetable:                    Planting Dates:      Distance b/w planting (in)          Plating Depth (in):

           

Beans, snap                  Apr 15 – July 15                             3                                        1

Beans, pole                  Apr 15 – July 1                               6                                        1         

Beans, bush lima           May 1 – July 1                               6                                        1.5

Beans, pole lima           May 1 – June 15                             6                                        1.5

Cantaloupe                   Apr 20 – June 1                             24                                      1

Corn, sweet                  Apr 15 – June 1                            12                                       1.5

Cucumber, pickling       Apr 20 – May 15                            10                                      1

Cucumber, slicing         Apr 20 – May 15                            10                                      1

Okra                            May1 – 31                                     12                                      1

Peas, southern              May 1 – July 1                                4                                       1

Peppers, sweet             May 1 – 31                                    18                                      .5

Peppers, hot                 May 1 – 31                                    15                                      .5

Pumpkins                     Apr 15 – June 15                            48                                      1.5

Squash, summer           Apr 15 – May 15                             24                                      1.5

Squash, winter              Apr 15 – May 15                            36                                      1

Sweetpotatoes              May 15 – June 15                           10                                      1

Tomatoes                     Apr 20 – July 15                             18                                      .5

Watermelon                  Apr 15 – June 1                              60                                      1.5

            So here is the guide for the vegetables to start planting in April.  May is pushing it a little bit because they get out in June, but they will still be able to see some progress after they are done planting and before they get out for summer.  I think a great assignment for them is also to look up this information so that they can research a vegetable they want and find out the information on their own.  It would be fun because they will get to see what there own work produces and provides a chance for them to work on their researching skills.  This really is a fun activity to participate in with the students because they get a sense of pride when they see what they’re hard work has done in planting.  I remember when I was a kid and we did some planting projects I used to be really excited when I saw something sprouting out of the ground so I know it’s exciting for them.  Good Luck!