Garden Planting Calendar for Vegetables – What to Sow and When

Proper planning of sowing and planting periods is essential for achieving a healthy, productive, and balanced garden. Following a planting calendar helps you avoid wasting seeds, prevent diseases and pests, and enjoy staggered harvests throughout the season.

In this article, we offer you a detailed guide on what to sow and when, along with tips on crop rotation, companion planting, and apps to help you organize your garden more easily.

Factors That Influence Planting Time

Climate zone: Temperatures in southern România allow earlier planting than in the north or in foothill and mountain areas.
Soil type: Sandy soils warm up faster in spring, while clay soils retain moisture better.
Optimal germination temperature: Each species requires a specific soil temperature to germinate properly.

Suitable Soils for Each Type of Vegetable

Vegetable	Recommended Soil Type
Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants	Fertile, well-drained soils, with slightly acidic pH (6-6.8)
Carrots, parsley, parsnip	Light, sandy soils, stone-free, deep and loose
Onions, garlic	Sandy-loamy soils, well-drained, with medium fertility
Lettuce, spinach, radishes	Loamy soils, well-loosened, rich in humus
Peas, beans	Loamy-sandy soils, with good drainage and pH between 6-7.5
Beets	Loamy-sandy soils, rich in nutrients, with neutral pH
Cucumbers, zucchini, sweet corn	Fertile, slightly loamy soils, rich in organic matter
Cabbage, cauliflower	Loamy soils, well-loosened, nitrogen-rich, with pH between 6-7

Monthly Planting Calendar

Month	What Vegetables to Sow / Plant
January – February	Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants (in seedling trays, indoors)
March	Lettuce, spinach, radishes, green onions, peas (directly in garden); continuing seedlings of tomatoes and peppers
April	Carrots, parsley, parsnip, beets (directly in garden); early cabbage, cauliflower (seedlings)
May	Seedlings of tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, zucchini; sowing beans, sweet corn
June	Beans for fall harvest, late zucchini, re-planting lettuce and radishes
July – August	Fall spinach, fall lettuce, fall radishes, fall cabbage
September	Spinach and lettuce for late fall
October – November	Garlic and onions for next spring

Tips for Successful Planting

Crop Rotation

Don’t plant the same species in the same spot in two consecutive years.
Alternate legumes (beans, peas) with root vegetables (carrots, parsley) or nightshades (tomatoes, peppers).

Companion Planting

Carrots and onions help each other, keeping specific pests at bay.
Basil next to tomatoes helps repel insects and improves the aroma of tomatoes.
Don’t plant tomatoes near potatoes – they have common diseases that spread easily.

Useful Apps and Planners for Garden Planning

GrowVeg Garden Planner – visual planning, with crop rotation and tips for each plant.
Gardenize – app for organizing garden notes, including photos.
My Vegetable Garden – simple planner for sowing and planting, with alerts for each crop.

Using a planting calendar can bring spectacular results to your garden, reducing effort and increasing productivity. Always adjust your plan based on local conditions and your experience from previous years. With a little planning and attention, you’ll enjoy delicious and healthy vegetables throughout the year!