The Only Gardening Guide You'll Need This Year!
Plan Now, Bloom Later: We're breaking down your month to month steps for a happy year in your garden!
There’s something deeply rewarding about growing your own food, flowers, or herbs but a great garden doesn’t just happen. It starts with a plan, and believe it or not, that planning begins in the middle of winter. We want to go one step further and help you start planning for next year starting this fall. If you’ve ever felt like you were playing catch-up come spring, this guide is for you. Let’s break down and list out what each month should look like, so you’re never behind—and always one step closer to your best garden yet!
January: Dream & Design
The coldest months are for warm ideas.
Review what worked (and didn’t) last year.
Sketch out garden beds or container setups.
Browse seed catalogs and start a wishlist.
Research native plants or pollinator-friendly choices.
Set a budget and timeline for big garden projects.
February: Order & Organize
Let’s turn those dreams into plans.
Finalize your seed list and place your orders.
Organize your tools and clean pots.
Set up a seed-starting area indoors (if needed).
Start a garden journal or spreadsheet to track planting.
March: Start Indoors & Prep Outside
Spring is creeping in—slowly.
Start seeds indoors for cool-season crops (like lettuce, onions, broccoli).
Begin prepping beds when soil is workable.
Sharpen and oil tools.
Clean up any leftover debris from winter storms.
April: Plant Early, Watch the Weather
Things are warming up—let’s go.
Direct sow hardy crops (peas, radishes, carrots).
Transplant indoor starts on mild days.
Add compost and mulch to beds.
Prune shrubs and trees before leaf-out, if needed.
May: Go All In
This is the big one.
Plant most warm-weather crops (tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash).
Continue succession planting for a longer harvest.
Monitor for pests and weeds—this is their time, too.
Keep watering consistent and deep.
June: Maintain & Mulch
Time to tend.
Weed regularly and reapply mulch as needed.
Start harvesting early crops.
Pinch or prune to shape plants and improve airflow.
Water in the morning to prevent disease.
July: Harvest & Replant
The garden’s buzzing with life.
Harvest frequently to encourage more growth.
Replant fast growers (like lettuce, herbs) in succession.
Watch for signs of drought stress.
Deadhead flowers to keep blooms coming.
August: Reflect & Prepare
Hot days, busy hands.
Keep harvesting—many crops are peaking.
Start fall crops (think kale, spinach, carrots).
Collect seeds from favorite plants.
Take photos and notes for next year’s plan.
September: Transition & Tidy
Fall is in the air.
Harvest the last of the summer crops.
Plant garlic, cover crops, or perennials.
Compost spent plants (unless diseased).
Start storing tools and hoses between uses.
October: Wind Down with Intention
Let your garden rest.
Clear beds and top with compost or mulch.
Store pots and tools in a dry place.
Reflect on what you grew, loved, and learned.
Plant bulbs for spring if the ground isn’t frozen.
November: Gratitude & Grounding
Time to slow down.
Make a list of your garden’s greatest hits.
Write a wish list for next season.
Consider indoor plants or sprouting microgreens.
Read, rest, and restore your gardener soul.
December: Rest, Read & Reset
Because every gardener deserves a break.
Curl up with seed catalogs and gardening books.
Gift or wishlist gardening tools or supplies.
Reflect on the peace your garden brought you this year.
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Bonus Tip: If you’re a container gardener or working with small spaces, many of these monthly steps still apply—just scale them down and focus on crops suited to your space and light. With a little planning and seasonal care, your garden can bring joy year-round—from cozy January planning to colorful August harvests. Bookmark this guide and come back to it each month—you’ll be surprised how much more rewarding the process becomes when you’re always one step ahead.
