ALL OF THE VEGETABLES, ALL OF THE FUN
You will find an assortment of vegetables available for purchase between Mothers’ Day Weekend and mid/late June. Because all vegetables grow best during a specific time frame not all plants will be available at all times. Some vegetables, like cucumbers and winter squash, will only be available after the chance of frost has passed, while other vegetables, like peas and fava beans, will only be available the first couple weeks of May.
ROMANO BEANS
These are pole beans, Marvel of Venice (yellow) and Northeaster (green), that require a support system to climb.
They make beautiful long pods that should be harvested before their ‘beans’ make an appearance inside.
They usually produce heavy yields in a concentrated window of time.
Days to maturity: 70
Spacing: 3-6”
CANTALOUPE/WATERMELON
Melons (and delicious ones at that) can be grown in the northeast! We have chosen some tried and true winners for you. Athena (Cantaloupe) and Mini Love (Watermelon).
Please give them adequate space, about 36” inches all around, water regularly and fertilize every other week. Cantaloupe is ripe when it slips off the vine (pick at a forced slip if you want to let it ripen inside), and watermelon is ripe when the yellow spot is dark and the sound when tapping it is dull. Keep plants living and lush to avoid sun scald on fruit.
Days to maturity: 70
Spacing: 3 feet
KALE/CHARD/ETC…
All bunching greens are quite similar in their growing patterns.
Harvest single leaves by snapping them off at the base at whichever size you like! Leave at least 3-4 leaves at all time so the plant can continue to photosynthesize and grow.
Varieties: Spigarello, Tuscan Kale, Red Russian Kale, Curly Kale, Rainbow Chard.
Days to maturity: 40
Spacing: 12-18”
CUCUMBERS
Cucumbers enjoy cooler weather more than their other cucurbit cousins (like summer squash) and excel when given plenty of water regularly - as they are mostly water to begin with!
Pick fruit when the middle has begun to fill in, too rotund and they will have more seeds than is generally preferred.
Harvest daily for a continuous supply.
Days to maturity: 50-60
Spacing: 12”
SNAP PEAS
A fresh, snappy, and sweet snack. Snap peas are quick to grow, quick to harvest, and very very quick to eat!!
They do require a support system to climb on and can become quite tall - easily topping 6-7ft.
Water frequently and thoroughly for the juiciest pods. Harvest every other day to extend their production.
Days to maturity: 58 days
Spacing: 3”
BROCCOLINI
Broccolini is grown very similarly to broccoli except the main floret is pinched off when it is just beginning to form and the off-shoots are harvested when they are between 4-6” long to form a bunch. Broccolini leaves are also highly enjoyable as a cooked green, tender and sweet!
Days to maturity: 35-45
Spacing: 16-18”
WINTER SQUASH
Varieties: Delicata, Spaghetti, Butternut, Kabocha, Honey Nut
Plant the first or second week of June, for smaller varieties space at 18-24” between plants, for larger varieties plant at 24-30” between plants.
Harvest when the plants are beginning to die off and before the stem on the fruit has completely dried up.
Cure properly for long storage (info linked here!).
Days to maturity: 85-100
BROCCOLI
Broccoli is a cool weather loving crop - it will require lots of fertility, lots of water, and a weed free garden.
Plant in early May through Mid-May or Mid-July through Mid-August for a summer and fall crop.
Many pests love broccoli (who can blame them?!) so make sure to scout and kill frequently.
Days to maturity: 57-65
Spacing: 18-24”
FAVA BEANS
Fava beans grow like bush beans but prefer the comforts of cooler weather; low temps and high rainfall.
They are also hungrier than other legumes and will benefit from some supplemental fertility.
Plant early in the season (mid-April through early May) for a late June harvest. No trellis needed!
Days to maturity: 75
Spacing: 3"-6”
LETTUCE
You will find available: red & green butterhead and red & green little gem lettuce.
For the butterhead please space at 9-12” and for the little gem please space at 4-6” apart.
Harvest when the lettuce has filled in and the center is beginning to take a dense shape. Do not harvest if the center is rock hard or shooting up, the lettuce is preparing to flower and will be quite bitter and unpleasant.
Days to maturity: 35-40
SQUASH/ZUCCHINI
Summer squash and zucchini can be planted in late May through early July.
Harvest the fruit when it is about 4-6” long, and harvest every 24-36 hours for optimal fruit production.
Remove overgrown fruit.
It is best to grow at least a couple plants next to each other for pollination purposes.
Days to maturity: 54 days
Spacing: 24”
STRAWBERRIES
Plant this year for a June harvest next year!
Plant in weed free soil and mulch in the fall when plants go dormant. Keep watered and weed free until the fall. Pull mulch away from the growth center in the spring, but leave it on the edges to curb weeds.
Otherwise strawberries are excellent for container growing as well! They will produce for about 3-4 years after their first harvest season.
Spacing: 12-18”