OVERWINTERING PLANTING CHART

Calculate Planting Dates to Overwinter Crops for Spring Harvest

Use our Overwintering Planting Chart as a guide to time plantings of crops for overwintering and harvesting as early as possible in the spring.

How to Use This Chart

  • The date of planting for each crop listed in the chart is given by the number of weeks before the beginning of the Persephone Period, ie, the last 10-hour day.
  • Your planting dates need to be back-scheduled by that number of weeks from the last 10-hour day at your latitude. To identify this exact date for your location, use an app or website such as Sundial - Solar & Lunar Times or Sunrise Sunset.
  • The crops are grouped, as outlined in the key KEY, to reflect their reliability for overwintering success, from relatively easy to more challenging, as gauged by experienced high-latitude four-season growers.
  • Click on the crop names to browse specific varieties we have trialed and selected for winter-harvest success.
JOHNNY'S WINTER GROWING GUIDE
  Planting Dates for Overwintering for Spring Harvest
  CROP Start Transplant Direct Seed Week 15 Week 14 Week 13 Week 12 Week 11 Week 10 Week 9 Week 8 Week 7 Week 6 Week 5 Week 4 Week 3 Week 2 Week 1 10-hour day
Tier 1 Claytonia (Full)   ✔               8 7              
Kale (Full) ✔                   7 6            
Spinach (Full/Baby)   ✔                         3 2 1  
Kale (Baby)   ✔                         3 2 1  
 
Tier 2 Wild Arugula (Full/Baby)   ✔             9 8                
Salad Arugula (Full/Baby)   ✔                   6 5          
 
Tier 3 Carrots   ✔     13 12                        
Other crops for overwintering Full-size Onions ✔     14 13                          
Bunching Onions (Spring Onions/Scallions)   ✔       12 11                      
 
key Key
 Use our Overwintering Planting Chart to time your plantings for earliest spring harvest.   Keep in mind that the planting dates are back-scheduled from the last 10-hour day at your latitude.  The number of weeks before the Persephone Period is calculated for each listed crop.  The crops are grouped, as outlined here in the Key, to reflect their reliability for winter production.  Click on the crop names to view varieties selected for winter harvest success.
TIER 1 Most Reliably Successful: Spinach, Kale, Claytonia
TIER 2 Second Most Dependable: Arugula
TIER 3 More Challenging: Carrots
PLANTING TIME 1–14 = Number of weeks to seed prior to last 10-hour day
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