USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 4: January Planting Calendar
Introduction: January in Zone 4 is often cold and snowy, with gardening activities mostly focused indoors. It's the perfect time to plan and prepare for the upcoming gardening season.
What to Plant:
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Indoors:
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Microgreens: Start growing microgreens like radish, arugula, and mustard indoors for fresh, nutritious harvests.
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Herbs: Begin sowing seeds for herbs such as basil, oregano, and parsley indoors.
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Vegetables: Start cool-season crops like lettuce, kale, and broccoli indoors.
Garden Prep Tips:
- Clean and organize your gardening tools and supplies.
- Order seeds and plan your garden layout for the upcoming season.
- Review and adjust your garden plan for crop rotation and companion planting.
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 4: February Planting Calendar
Introduction: February remains cold in Zone 4, but it's a good time to start seeds indoors and prepare for the upcoming growing season.
What to Plant:
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Indoors:
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Vegetables: Start seeds for cool-season crops like cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts indoors.
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Edible Flowers: Begin sowing pansies and violas indoors.
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Outdoors:
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Wildflowers: If the ground is workable, scatter wildflower seeds that benefit from cold stratification.
Garden Prep Tips:
- Test your soil and amend it with compost or other organic matter.
- Start hardening off seedlings as the weather permits, in preparation for transplanting.
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 4: March Planting Calendar
Introduction: March is a transitional month in Zone 4, with the promise of spring just around the corner. It's time to start preparing for outdoor planting.
What to Plant:
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Indoors:
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Warm-season Vegetables: Start seeds for tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants indoors.
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Outdoors:
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Vegetables: As the soil becomes workable, direct sow cool-season crops like peas, spinach, and radishes.
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Herbs: Plant hardy herbs like parsley, chives, and thyme directly in the garden.
Garden Prep Tips:
- Prepare garden beds by adding compost and organic matter.
- Set up trellises and supports for climbing plants.
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 4: April Planting Calendar
Introduction: April is an exciting time in Zone 4, as the gardening season begins in earnest with the planting of cool-season crops.
What to Plant:
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Outdoors:
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Vegetables: Transplant cool-season crops like broccoli and cabbage, and direct sow beets, carrots, and lettuce.
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Wildflowers: Plant seeds for sunflowers, zinnias, and cosmos.
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Microgreens: Continue growing microgreens indoors or outdoors.
Garden Prep Tips:
- Water newly planted seeds and seedlings regularly.
- Mulch around plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 4: May Planting Calendar
Introduction: May is one of the most active gardening months in Zone 4, with warmer temperatures allowing for more planting opportunities.
What to Plant:
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Outdoors:
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Vegetables: Plant warm-season crops like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and squash after the last frost.
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Herbs: Transplant herbs like basil, rosemary, and thyme outdoors.
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Edible Flowers: Sow marigolds, nasturtiums, and calendula for a colorful and functional garden.
Garden Prep Tips:
- Mulch garden beds to conserve moisture and control weeds.
- Install stakes or cages for tall plants like tomatoes and peppers.
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 4: June Planting Calendar
Introduction: June is a key month for gardening in Zone 4, with warm weather and long days providing optimal growing conditions.
What to Plant:
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Outdoors:
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Vegetables: Direct sow summer crops like beans, corn, zucchini, and pumpkins.
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Herbs: Continue planting herbs like dill, cilantro, and mint.
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Microgreens: Grow microgreens outdoors for quick harvests.
Garden Prep Tips:
- Water deeply and regularly, especially during dry spells.
- Fertilize plants as they begin to produce fruit.
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 4: July Planting Calendar
Introduction: July is the height of summer in Zone 4, with heat-loving crops flourishing. It's also a good time to start thinking about fall planting.
What to Plant:
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Outdoors:
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Vegetables: Plant late-season crops like carrots, beets, and kale.
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Herbs: Sow heat-tolerant herbs like basil and thyme.
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Edible Flowers: Continue planting heat-tolerant varieties like nasturtiums and marigolds.
Garden Prep Tips:
- Mulch around plants to retain moisture and keep the soil cool.
- Harvest regularly to encourage continued production.
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 4: August Planting Calendar
Introduction: August is a transitional month in Zone 4, as the focus begins to shift from summer to fall gardening.
What to Plant:
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Outdoors:
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Vegetables: Start planting fall crops like spinach, lettuce, and radishes.
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Herbs: Plant cool-season herbs like parsley and cilantro.
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Wildflowers: Sow late-blooming wildflowers to enjoy as summer fades.
Garden Prep Tips:
- Continue watering and mulching to protect plants during hot weather.
- Prepare garden beds for fall planting by adding compost and organic matter.
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 4: September Planting Calendar
Introduction: September in Zone 4 brings cooler temperatures, making it an ideal time for planting fall crops and preparing your garden for winter.
What to Plant:
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Outdoors:
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Vegetables: Plant cool-season crops like broccoli, cauliflower, and kale.
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Herbs: Sow hardy herbs like chives, garlic, and sage.
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Edible Flowers: Plant pansies and violas for a splash of fall color.
Garden Prep Tips:
- Harvest late-season vegetables and preserve them for winter.
- Begin cleaning up garden beds and preparing them for winter.
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 4: October Planting Calendar
Introduction: October is a time of transition in Zone 4, with frost becoming more likely. It's also the last chance to get your garden ready for winter.
What to Plant:
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Outdoors:
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Vegetables: Plant garlic, onions, and shallots for overwintering.
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Wildflowers: Sow wildflower seeds for early spring blooms.
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Herbs: Transplant herbs like rosemary and thyme into containers for indoor growing.
Garden Prep Tips:
- Mulch garden beds to protect plants from frost.
- Store garden tools and prepare them for winter.
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 4: November Planting Calendar
Introduction: November is a time to wrap up any final garden tasks and prepare for the winter months ahead in Zone 4.
What to Plant:
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Outdoors:
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Vegetables: Continue planting garlic and onions if you haven't done so already.
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Herbs: Move tender herbs indoors to protect them from frost.
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Microgreens: Grow microgreens indoors for fresh greens throughout the winter.
Garden Prep Tips:
- Protect tender plants with frost covers or mulch.
- Reflect on your gardening successes and challenges from the past year.
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 4: December Planting Calendar
Introduction: December is a time to wind down the gardening season and plan for the year ahead in Zone 4. While outdoor activities are limited, indoor gardening can still thrive.
What to Plant:
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Indoors:
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Microgreens: Continue growing microgreens indoors for fresh, nutritious greens.
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Herbs: Grow herbs like parsley, mint, and chives indoors for winter cooking.
Garden Prep Tips:
- Clean and store garden tools and equipment.
- Plan your garden for the upcoming year, considering new varieties and layouts.