1. Topic 4: Plan and plant a garden bed
What, where and when
Developing a planting calendar

2. Topic 4: Plan and plant a garden bed
The purpose
The purpose of having a planting calendar is to
provide you with information which highlights
what will grow in each month of the year in
your locality.
Using this guide you can plan when to sow your
seed or plant transplants to achieve an effective
companion planting regime and a successional
harvest for the entire year.

3. Topic 4: Plan and plant a garden bed
Single-purpose guides
You can restrict it to one type of information like
seed sowing or transplanting times.
Celery
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
S S T T
S = plant in seed trays
T = plant as transplants

4. Topic 4: Plan and plant a garden bed
Multipurpose guides
Plant name Beneficial Sowing Harvest Spacing Notes
companions dates date
Months of the Time from Based on Plant observations, cultural hints or
year in which planting till size of plant special points of interest
the plant can eating at maturity
be grown(by
initial)
You must determine what information is important to
you and the format that you would like to collect it in.

5. Topic 4: Plan and plant a garden bed
Resources
Information for developing your calendar can be
gleaned from websites such as those listed here:
• http://www.tuigarden.co.nz/sites/default/files/document/Tui_Pla
nting_Calendar.pdf
• http://www.gardengrow.co.nz/
• http://www.palmers.co.nz/gardening_calendar/july.cfm
Note that the information provided is for broad
areas, not specific locations.

6. Topic 4: Plan and plant a garden bed
Evaluating information
Remember to critically evaluate all information.
• Compare across websites to see if information
matches.
• Ask at your local garden centre
• Talk to local garden experts
• Try different things and record the results.

7. Topic 4: Plan and plant a garden bed
Plant diary
Records information like…
• Plant name
• Best month for planting
• Harvest time after planting
• Propagation notes
• Companions
• Culinary information
• Other uses
Check out http://www.gardenate.com/plant/Basil
for a great example

8. Topic 4: Plan and plant a garden bed
Final advice
Start small and add information as you gain
experience.
“ Learn to be an observer in all seasons. Every single day,
your garden has something new and wonderful to show
you. (Author unknown)
“ Learn patience. Gardening is the slowest of the performing
arts. (Author Unknown)
“ Love what you do, remember your garden is an extension
of you. (Author unknown)
“ All gardens are a form of autobiography. (Robert Dash)

9. Topic 4: Plan and plant a garden bed
May your planning result in a
bounteous harvest.