4 Beds (4'×8' each) • 128 sq ft total • Orcas Island, WA
| Month/Week | Tasks | Bed 1-2 (Garlic) | Bed 3 (Bulb Onions) | Bed 4 (Green Onions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OCT (Yr 0) | PLANT GARLIC Oct 15-30 | Plant 128 cloves 6" apart, 4 rows. Mulch with straw. | - | - |
| Nov-Feb | Winter growth | Garlic grows slowly. Keep mulched. | - | - |
| March 1-15 | Spring planting | Add compost around garlic | Plant onion sets 4" apart, 4-6 rows (48-96 sets) | Plant green onion seeds 2" apart, 8 rows |
| Apr 1-15 | Succession planting | Garlic growing strongly | Onions establishing | 2nd planting green onions (succession) |
| May 1-15 | Weeding, watering | Garlic forming scapes | Onions sizing up | 3rd planting green onions |
| June 1-15 | Harvest scapes! | HARVEST SCAPES when curly (excellent eating!) | Onions continue growing | Harvest 1st planting, 4th planting |
| July 1-15 | GARLIC HARVEST! | HARVEST when 50% leaves brown (10-15 lbs). Cure 2-3 weeks. | Onions ready mid-July | Harvest 2nd planting, 5th planting |
| July 16-31 | Replant beds immediately! | Plant fall greens in garlic beds SAME DAY: Lettuce, spinach, arugula, Asian greens | ||
| Aug-Sep | Harvest & succession | Fall greens maturing | Harvest onions when tops fall (15-20 lbs). Cure. | Harvest 3rd-5th plantings |
| Oct | Season extension | Add row covers to fall greens. Harvest into Nov. Prepare beds for next year. | ||
CRITICAL NOTES: Garlic planted in Oct Year 0, harvested July Year 1. Replant garlic beds IMMEDIATELY with fall crops! Green onions: succession every 3 weeks Mar-Aug for continuous harvest.
| Month/Week | Tasks | Beds 1-3 (Carrots) | Bed 4 (Celery, Parsnips, Cilantro) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 1-15 | Soil prep, start indoors | Add 2" compost. Rake smooth. | Start celery indoors (10-12 weeks to transplant) |
| Apr 1-15 | 1st carrot planting | Plant carrots 4 rows, 2" apart. Interplant radishes to mark rows (192 carrots/bed) | Plant cilantro 4-6 rows, succession planting |
| Apr 16-30 | 2nd carrot succession | 2nd planting Bed 1 (or half of Bed 2) | Cilantro germinating |
| May 1-15 | 3rd carrot succession | 3rd planting continuing succession | Harvest radishes (25 days), thin cilantro |
| May 16-31 | Transplant celery | 4th planting carrots (half-bed) | Transplant celery 8" apart, 2 rows (24 plants). 2nd cilantro |
| Jun 1-15 | Final storage carrots | FINAL planting for storage (harvest Oct-Nov). Thin to 2" spacing. | Plant parsnips 3 rows, 3" apart (96 plants) |
| Jun 16-30 | Thin & weed | Begin harvesting 1st planting (60-70 days). Keep weeded! | Celery growing, cilantro bolting (harvest leaves) |
| July | Continuous harvest | Harvest succession plantings as sized (8-12 lbs/bed) | Cilantro goes to seed, celery sizing up |
| Aug | Summer harvest | Continue harvesting. Water storage carrots. | Harvest celery (12-15 lbs). Parsnips growing. |
| Sep-Oct | Storage harvest | Harvest storage carrots before hard freeze (Oct-Nov). Store in cool location. | Parsnips sweeten after frost |
| Oct-Nov | Final harvest | All carrots out by Nov | Harvest parsnips after frost (10-15 lbs). Can overwinter. |
CRITICAL NOTES: Succession plant carrots every 2-3 weeks Apr-Jun. Interplant radishes to mark rows (they germinate faster). Last planting by early June for fall storage. Parsnips need frost to sweeten!
| Month/Week | Tasks | Bed 1-2 (Beets) | Bed 3 (Chard) | Bed 4 (Spinach) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 1-15 | Soil prep, early planting | Add 2" compost | Add 2" compost | Plant spinach 4 rows, 3" apart (128 plants) |
| Mar 16-31 | Succession planting | - | - | 2nd spinach planting (succession) |
| Apr 1-15 | Main planting | Plant beets 4 rows, 3" apart (128/bed). Harvest tops as greens! | Plant chard 3 rows, 6" apart (48 plants) | 3rd spinach (every 2 weeks) |
| Apr 16-30 | More succession | Beets germinating | Chard establishing | 4th spinach planting |
| May 1-15 | Thin & succession | 2nd beet planting Bed 2 or half-bed. Thin to 3". | Chard growing | 5th spinach. Begin harvesting 1st! |
| May 16-31 | Harvest begins | Harvest beet greens (thinnings, outer leaves) | Begin harvesting chard (outer leaves only) | Harvest 2nd planting. SKIP summer (bolts) |
| Jun-Jul | Summer harvest | Harvest beet roots 1st planting (8-10 lbs). 3rd planting for fall. | Continuous chard harvest (20-30 lbs/season!) | Too hot - skip planting |
| Aug 1-15 | Fall planting resumes | Continue harvesting 2nd-3rd beets | Chard continues producing | Resume spinach plantings (1st fall) |
| Aug 16-31 | Fall succession | Harvest remaining beets | Chard loves cool weather | 2nd fall spinach (succession) |
| Sep-Oct | Fall harvest | Final beets out. Can store 2-3 months. | Chard sweetens with frost! | Harvest fall plantings. Add row covers. |
| Nov-Feb | OVERWINTER! | Beds cleared | CHARD OVERWINTERS! Harvest all winter under row cover. | Spinach under cover can last to Dec-Jan |
CRITICAL NOTES: Swiss chard is your winter hero - overwinters beautifully and provides greens Nov-Mar! Harvest outer leaves only. Spinach: plant every 2 weeks spring, SKIP June-July (bolts), resume August. Beet greens = bonus harvest!
| Month/Week | Tasks | Bed 1 (Cucumbers) | Bed 2-3 (Summer Squash) | Bed 4 (Winter Squash) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb-Mar | Winter/early spring | Beds resting or with cover crops. Plan varieties! | ||
| Apr 1-15 | Soil prep | Add 2" compost + aged manure. Cucurbits are heavy feeders! Black plastic mulch optional (warms soil). | ||
| May 1-10 | Start indoors | Start cucumbers indoors May 1-10 (3-4 weeks) | Start squash indoors May 1-10 (3-4 weeks) | Start winter squash indoors May 1-10 |
| May 16-31 | TRANSPLANT (late May!) | Transplant late May with protection (row cover, Wall O' Water). Trellis ready! | Transplant late May 18" apart, 2 rows (10-12 plants/bed) | Transplant late May 24" apart (4-6 plants) |
| Jun 1-15 | Season extension | Install trellis (5-6' tall). Train vines up. | Keep row cover if still cool. Remove when flowering. | Vines can sprawl outside beds! Train them out. |
| Jun 16-30 | Flowering begins | Flowers appearing. Hand-pollinate if few bees. | Remove row cover for pollination. Side-dress compost. | Vines growing strongly. Mulch paths. |
| Jul 1-15 | HARVEST BEGINS! | Harvest cucumbers when 6-8" (20-30 fruits/plant). Daily picking! | Harvest squash when 6-8" (20-25 lbs/bed). Pick small! | Fruits setting. 1-3 per plant. |
| Jul 16-31 | Peak production | Peak harvest! Check daily. Keep picked for more production. | Peak harvest! Zucchini/yellow squash. Don't let get huge. | Fruits sizing up (baseball → basketball) |
| Aug 1-15 | Continued harvest | Still producing. Watch for powdery mildew (milk spray 1:9). | Slowing down. Some plants may succumb to vine borers. | Fruits nearly full size. Changing color. |
| Aug 16-31 | Late harvest | Production slowing. Final pickings. | Final harvest. Pull spent plants. | Watch for color change (delicata, butternut) |
| Sep 1-30 | WINTER SQUASH HARVEST | Pull plants. Compost if disease-free. | Beds clear | Harvest before frost! Cure 2 weeks warm/dry (15-25 lbs) |
| Oct | Cleanup & prep | Remove all plant material. Add compost. Plant cover crop or garlic (if in rotation). | ||
CRITICAL NOTES: Orcas springs are COOL - wait until late May to transplant! Use season extension (row covers, black plastic). Cucumbers MUST be trellised (space & disease prevention). Winter squash vines can grow outside beds. Harvest before first frost!
| Month/Week | Tasks | Bed 1-2 (Peas) | Bed 3 (Bush Beans) | Bed 4 (Fava Beans) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 1-15 | EARLY PLANTING | Plant peas ASAP (as soon as soil workable). 2-3 rows, 2" apart. Trellis ready! | Too early for beans | Plant fava beans 2 rows, 6" apart (32 plants/bed) |
| Apr | Spring growth | Peas climbing. Install trellis (5-6'). Inoculate with rhizobia if 1st time. | Still too cold | Favas growing strongly (cool-season crop) |
| May 1-15 | Late frost risk | Peas flowering. Side-dress compost lightly (they make their own N!) | Prepare beds, add light compost | Favas flowering (beautiful!) |
| May 16-31 | BEAN PLANTING BEGINS | Peas setting pods | 1st bean planting MID-MAY 3 rows, 4" apart (72 plants) | Fava pods forming |
| Jun 1-15 | PEA HARVEST + 2nd BEANS | HARVEST PEAS! Pick daily when plump (8-10 lbs/bed). Eat pods too! | 2nd bean planting (succession, 2 weeks after 1st) | HARVEST FAVAS when pods full (5-8 lbs). Shell or eat whole. |
| Jun 16-30 | Bean succession | Final peas. LEAVE ROOTS IN SOIL! Cut at ground level. | 3rd bean planting (last succession) | LEAVE ROOTS! Cut plants, add to compost (green tops) |
| Jul 1-15 | BEAN HARVEST BEGINS | Plant 2nd pea crop for fall (late July-early Aug) | Harvest 1st planting! Pick every 2-3 days (5-8 lbs/bed) | Bed clear. Plant fall crop or cover. |
| Jul 16-31 | Peak harvest | Fall peas growing | Peak bean harvest. Keep picked for more production! | - |
| Aug | Succession harvest | Fall peas flowering | Harvest 2nd & 3rd plantings successively | - |
| Sep | Final bean harvest | Fall peas ready! Harvest Sep-Oct. | Final beans. LEAVE ROOTS! Pull tops only. | - |
| Oct | ROOT PRESERVATION! | LEAVE PEA ROOTS! Cut at soil level. Add compost for next year's heavy feeders. | Roots decomposing = nitrogen gift for Year 6 tomatoes/peppers! | |
CRITICAL NOTES: ⚠️ MUST LEAVE ROOTS IN SOIL! Legume roots contain nitrogen-fixing nodules - this feeds Year 6's tomatoes! Cut plants at ground level, don't pull. Peas: plant ASAP in March + late July for fall. Beans: wait until mid-May (soil 60°F+). Pick beans every 2-3 days!
| Month/Week | Tasks | Beds 1-3 (Tomatoes) | Bed 4 (Peppers/Eggplant) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 15-28 | START PEPPERS | - | Start peppers indoors (8-10 weeks to transplant). Heat mat + lights! |
| Mar 1-15 | START TOMATOES | Start tomatoes indoors Mar 1-15 (6-8 weeks). Early varieties: Stupice, Oregon Spring, Manitoba. | Start eggplant if desired (8-10 weeks) |
| Apr | Seedling care | Grow under lights. Harden off last 2 weeks of May. | Peppers growing slowly (need warmth) |
| May 1-15 | Bed preparation | Add 2" compost. Benefits from Year 5's legume roots! Black plastic mulch optional (highly recommended for Orcas). | |
| May 16-31 | TRANSPLANT w/PROTECTION | Transplant LATE MAY 24" apart (4-8 plants/bed). Wall O' Water or row cover ESSENTIAL! Stake immediately. | Transplant early June 18" apart (10-12 plants). Protection essential! |
| Jun 1-15 | Season extension | Keep protected until consistent 60°F+ nights. Remove lower leaves. Mulch. | Keep warm. Won't grow much until warm weather. |
| Jun 16-30 | Growth period | Begin staking/tying. Remove suckers (indeterminate varieties). Side-dress compost. | Finally growing! Flowers appearing. |
| Jul 1-15 | Flowering/fruiting | Flowers opening. Fruits setting. Consistent water critical! (blossom end rot prevention) | Flowering. Hand-pollinate if needed (shake flowers). |
| Jul 16-31 | Fruit development | Green fruits sizing. Continue tying/pruning. Watch for hornworms! | Small peppers forming |
| Aug 1-15 | HARVEST BEGINS! | First ripe tomatoes! Peak harvest mid-Aug to mid-Sep (25-40 lbs/bed). Pick regularly. | Peppers ready! Can pick green or wait for color (10-15 lbs) |
| Aug 16-31 | Peak production | PEAK TOMATOES! Can, freeze, sauce, salsa. This is your moment! | Peak pepper harvest. Some for fresh, some to freeze. |
| Sep 1-30 | Final harvest | Harvest continues. Pick all before first frost (Oct 2-15). Green tomatoes → salsa verde! | Final peppers. Eggplant if planted. |
| Oct | Cleanup | Remove ALL plant material (disease prevention - do NOT compost!). Add compost to beds. | |
CRITICAL NOTES: Most challenging for Orcas! MUST use season extension (Wall O' Water, row covers, black plastic). Early varieties essential. Benefits hugely from Year 5's nitrogen-fixing legumes. Start indoors 6-10 weeks before transplant. DO NOT compost solanaceae plants (disease risk).
| Month/Week | Tasks | Bed 1-2 (Head Lettuce) | Bed 3-4 (Salad Mix/Leaf Lettuce) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 1-15 | EARLY PLANTING | Start indoors or direct seed under row cover. 4 rows, 12" apart (32 heads/bed). | Direct seed salad mix broadcast or rows. Cut-and-come-again! |
| Mar 16-31 | 1st succession | 2nd planting (every 2 weeks!) | 2nd planting salad mix |
| Apr 1-15 | 2nd succession | Transplant 1st planting if started indoors. 3rd sowing. | 3rd planting. Begin harvesting 1st! (baby leaves) |
| Apr 16-30 | 3rd succession | 4th planting. Harvesting begins! | 4th planting. Continuous harvest! |
| May 1-15 | 4th succession | 5th planting. Pick heads when sized. | 5th planting. Cut-and-come-again (3-5 lbs/week!) |
| May 16-31 | 5th succession | 6th planting. Peak spring harvest! | 6th planting. Amazing production! |
| Jun 1-15 | Final spring planting | 7th planting (heat-tolerant varieties). Harvest continues. | 7th planting (summer varieties) |
| Jun 16-30 | SKIP JULY-AUGUST | Too hot for lettuce! Let some bolt for seed saving. Harvest final spring crops. Beds can rest or plant quick greens. | |
| Jul 1-31 | Summer break | Start fall lettuce indoors late July for August transplant. Or keep beds in arugula/quick greens. | |
| Aug 1-15 | FALL PLANTING RESUMES | Start 1st fall planting indoors or direct seed | 1st fall salad mix planting |
| Aug 16-31 | Fall succession | 2nd fall planting | 2nd fall planting |
| Sep 1-30 | Fall harvest begins | 3rd planting. Harvest 1st fall crop. Perfect weather! | 3rd planting. Excellent fall production! |
| Oct 1-15 | SEASON EXTENSION | Add row covers! 4th planting under cover. | Row covers extend season! Harvest into Nov-Dec! |
| Oct 16-Dec | WINTER LETTUCE! | With row covers, can harvest lettuce Nov-Dec-Jan! Orcas is PERFECT for this. Plant winter varieties in Sep-Oct. | |
CRITICAL NOTES: Lettuce is your EASIEST crop for Orcas! Succession plant every 2 weeks Mar-Jun, SKIP Jul-Aug (too hot), resume Aug-Oct. With row covers, can harvest 10-11 months/year! Salad mix = highest value crop ($7.67/sq ft). Cut-and-come-again = multiple harvests from one planting!
| Month/Week | Tasks | Bed 1-2 (Kale) | Bed 3 (Broccoli) | Bed 4a (Cabbage/Cauli) | Bed 4b (Radishes) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 1-15 | START INDOORS | Start kale indoors (5-6 weeks) | Start broccoli (5-6 weeks) | Start cabbage/cauli (5-6 weeks) | Direct seed radishes! 6-8 rows, 1" apart (288-384!) |
| Mar 16-31 | Radish succession | Growing indoors | Growing indoors | Growing indoors | 2nd radish planting (every 2 weeks!) |
| Apr 1-15 | TRANSPLANT SPRING | Transplant kale 12" apart, 2 rows (16 plants/bed) | Transplant broccoli 18" apart (10-12 plants) | Transplant cabbage 18" apart (10-12) | Harvest 1st radishes! (25 days). 3rd planting. |
| Apr 16-30 | Growth period | Kale establishing | Broccoli growing | Cabbage forming | 4th radish. Harvest 2nd planting. |
| May | Spring growth | Begin harvesting kale (outer leaves) | Broccoli heading up | Heads forming | 5th-6th radish. Continuous harvest! |
| Jun 1-15 | START FALL CROPS | Start 2nd kale indoors for fall | Start fall broccoli | - | Skip planting (too hot) |
| Jun 16-30 | Spring harvest | Kale producing well | Harvest broccoli! (main head + side shoots) | Harvest spring cabbage when firm | - |
| Jul 1-15 | TRANSPLANT FALL | Transplant fall kale to replace spring or new beds | Transplant fall broccoli | Pull spring crops, prepare for fall | |
| Aug 1-15 | Fall growth | Both spring + fall kale producing! | Fall broccoli growing | - | Resume radishes! (cooler weather) |
| Aug 16-31 | Late summer | Continuous kale harvest | Broccoli heading | Plant fall cabbage if desired | Succession radishes |
| Sep-Oct | Fall harvest | Kale improving (loves cool!) | Fall broccoli ready! | Fall cabbage maturing | Final radishes |
| Oct-Nov | ADD ROW COVERS | Kale SWEETENS with frost! Row covers extend to winter. | Final broccoli | Storage cabbage can last 3-6 months! | Done for season |
| Nov-Feb | OVERWINTER! | KALE ALL WINTER! Harvest under row cover (10-15 lbs/bed) | Beds cleared. Plan for Year 9 (returns to Alliaceae!). | ||
CRITICAL NOTES: Brassicas THRIVE in Orcas maritime climate! Spring AND fall plantings. Kale overwinters beautifully - sweetens with frost. Radishes = fastest crop (25 days) - succession every 2 weeks. Row covers essential Oct-Mar. Watch for cabbage moths (Bt spray or row cover). After Year 8, rotation returns to Year 1 (Alliaceae)!
🔄 YEAR 9: Rotation returns to ALLIACEAE (Garlic, Onions, Leeks). Plant garlic in October of Year 8 for Year 9 harvest! The cycle continues infinitely!