In this episode I explain how and why I use the growth stages of the dandelion to determine when to plant my vegetables. This content is based on an article that I originally published last April on my substack page – here is a link to that article:
https://maritimegardening.substack.com/p/a-dandy-approach-to-planting-times#details
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26 Comments
That’s kinda how I do it.
I follow:
Redbuds
Dogwoods
Daffodils
Bearded Iris
Crepe myrtles
And dandelions come in just after the daffodils
The three inches of snow we woke up to today, April 1st, says the dandelions are nowhere near ready for planting yet, but thanks. We'll keep that in mind for the future.
Your quick transition from cold/snow means dandelions are a much better indicator. April Fools' Day is my starting point for planting potatoes. Any decent run of days after that, are my normal potato days. I also get to cheat thanks to poly space for a lot of tender things, which gives me a good buffer.
I also watch the birds in on the allotments. When they stop looking for worms/bugs, and start gathering nest building materials. You can be sure of at least a few good days each week. The number and types of bees I see about the place, are also a thing I watch out for.
St Patrick's Day is when I want my tomatoes/peppers started by. That gives me two months before they end up in their final pots, or planted. The same goes for starting peas in gutters. By the time I have my potatoes in the ground. The first length of gutter peas will be ready to go out.
I'd look for a last frost date map. Within ten miles of me I have places a week behind, or two weeks ahead of me for the average last frost. Cites and large towns tend to warm up quicker, or not get as hard a frost. My allotment is at the bottom of a hill, and right beside a river. The last frost temps at my garden won't be as bad as the plot.
Regardless, we should all have the two most important things in our gardens/plots. Somewhere to sit, and a cuppa/glass. Then you just need to observe what's going on around you. Dates, or set days, are just a reminder to make a start. They aren't hard rules you must obey 100% of the time. The majority of the time, it's just useful to hold you back. And by the time you start sowing stuff, you'll be kept busy enough.
Here in the Missouri Ozarks in 6a I’ve had blooming dandelions for almost a month. Can’t put my tomatoes in without cover usually until Mid May. It may be earlier this year, but not that early. Frost possible tonight and tomorrow. I think it may be different here because we tend to have warm spring weather and it yos yos back and forth between warm and frosts. I’ll have to try to notice when the dandelions turn white.
The growth and flowering of existing plants is the best "planting by nature" schedule.
Like you said:
Rather then plant this thing when a certain existing plant blooms, etc. List all the things that can be planted when each existing plant blooms.
Another tip: Direct sow cucumber and squash when the annual weeds are growing in your garden beds.
This is an excellent source of information for gardeners. My father in law used this plastic device called "wall of waters" to protect his tomato plants which allowed protection against frost. He took pride in having the first ripe tomato in the neighborhood.
may long has been my go to here in central sask., but i think i'll give this dandelion indicator a try. thanks greg.
This is a great garden topic, and you covered it well. Please add sweet potatoes to your list. Just as a comment, I do not put tomatoes in the same category as potatoes. Potatoes are cold resistant. While tomatoes will take some cold weather, tomatoes do not do well in the cold. I see tomatoes as a white not a yellow. As to your white category, I break it down even further. When you see the white of the dandelion plant tomatoes. When you see the white dandelion flower go bald plant peppers, sweet potatoes, and beans.
Nature knows what it’s doing. You’re smart to pick up on the temperature indicators! Your chart is brilliantly simple. I’m going to do the same thing down here in Maryland, watch the dandelions, of which I have many as I am the keeper of my herbicide free lawn and garden. 🌱🌱🌱😃
Tomatoe is tender maybe should be in when its white
Thanks to a good comment from a viewer I've revised the table to address a typo. You can view the revised table here:
https://maritimegardening.substack.com/p/a-dandy-approach-to-planting-times#details
Great information. Thanks for sharing 👍❤️😊
Love this content Greg! I am out in the garden already zone 5a/b and this just adds to the enjoyment.
You are just outstanding! I found all those "how many weeks before frost" so tough to organize my seeds but worse where I live, Billings Mt., like you our frost dates or snow days can be quite variable year to year, but I can certainly notice the dandelions in my yard. Now I can know the soil temp and the sun levels so much more accurately than I can from a non feeling calendar…..Just so much more simpler and accurate. Thank you thank you thank you. I saw my first dandelion greens poking up today on the south side of my house(I still have snow on the other sides! But it is all melting right now under a bright sunny day now at 50 degrees. Happy Spring to you and happy gardening. Keep up the good works–much appreciation.
I second the bald dandelion category. Sweet potatoes, peppers. The ones that can't tolerate anything under 10-15 degrees air temps. Hope your April Fools day is better than our on PEI. Sun, snow, rain and wind. It has been a wild few weeks this. Ground is melting now though.
Excellent! I'll be listening this a few times.
So, my wife heard the video from the other room and I heard her laugh when you said gardeners were impatient like little kids.
She was laughing at me shoveling snow in the garden to plant spring turnips too.
Much appreciated how much information you share with us.
Okanagan, BC – green dandelion leaves
Planted carrot seeds outside and placed flat boards over them
I think that the only indicator plant that I’m missing on the list you read from is the bearded iris. What was the source you read from again?
Enjoy your videos.
Porky-pines! LOL!
Greg, as I have said before this is a fantastic concept. Please make sure you include this in your planned book. I am going to use this idea when I speak with gardeners in my area. Video was a little long. Actually the under cover bits that you did are also well done and well received by me.
This makes so much sense, and adapts not only to geographic variation but to year-to-year variation of weather. I know you recall the spring of 2015!
Greg you are brilliant.! This makes so much sense, I don't know why we haven't been following this method for years. It is a simple and elegant. I've copied your chart and I'm going to watch your vlog a second time through. PS. We are still buried under almost a foot of snow here in central-eastern Ontario and are in the middle of maple syrup season!
Yo do you still have ant problems? I’ve just recently noticed lots of ants in my house what should I do to kill the colony? I have watched ur videos about half borax and half sugar, are their any alternatives for borax? I cant seem to find any. Will borax do any damage to my house I did hear it’s very deadly.
Such a genius approach, you have to wonder why isn't everybody doing this? And why haven't I seen this yesterday? 🙂 Because this morning I planted some "as soon as the ground can be worked" seeds in a thin layer of potting soil – I'm not sure about the soil below, but look, the potting soil I just laid down can be worked very well! 🙂 Well, with the temps above freezing I think that the soil below "can be worked" to some degree 🙂
I have a question – you have critters that eat your dandelions, but don't you have them eating your greens, too? And how do you protect your first crops from critters?
Wow! I never made that connection. Thank you for pointing that out. I'm seeing yellow flowers already. Makes me smile to think I can start some planting.