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Being a gardener  in Lubbock is a greater challenge than I imagined, but each year is getting better.
Come follow my progress as I get my hands in Texas soil.

Joy Blooms . . .
with veggies, flowers, birds, butterflies, & creatures
                                                                                                                            This page last updated:   05/08/2016 08:07 AM
                                                                                                                                                                            


Seeds & Plants Purchased for 2016 Victory Gardens - 20 Raised Beds
My Victory Garden Ideal Planting Schedule - Lubbock, TX   Zone 7  -
USDA Zone Finder
The Panhandle and High Plains. This includes both Amarillo and Lubbock and encompasses the upper northwest section of the state.
Much of the state's cotton and corn are grown here, and it is known for windy conditions.

As you plan your own garden, check with state universities in your area.   Many of them have amazing online resources.  It is well worth you while to poke around a little.

I developed the planting schedule below based on information found on various websites.   The information is my personal use.   If you find it helpful, than that is a bonus.  I live in USDA Planting Zone 7 where the average last spring frost is April 15th and the first fall freeze is Oct 31st.

When I use the word "sow" it means plant seeds directly in soil outdoors.   The word "start" means plant seeds in pots indoors and then transplant them 2+ weeks after last spring frost.

 

Some people prefer to sow & transplant based on soil temperature.   Personally I have not used this method.

  • 45°F – potato, onion, peas, spinach, arugula, lettuce

  • 50°F – broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower

  • 60°F – tomato, corn, beet

  • 65°F – cantaloupe, cucumber, green bean, pepper, pumpkin, squash

  • 70°F – lima bean, okra

I have read that if you plant your tomatoes when the soil is below 60°F, they won't take off.  Seed will rot if sowed outside when the soil is too cold.  On the other hand, lettuce and spinach will not germinate when the soil is too hot.

At the end of the season, cover your raised bed with black plastic.  This accomplished two things:  prevents weeds seeds from finding a home in your bed, weed seeds that are there already are smothered and the soil warms up faster.

The data below is from the National Gardening Association website.  My experience is that more often than not, the start date is closer to April 15.   I adjust planting dates based on weather reports.  NOTE:  You can add your location on the linked page above & see the planting dates for most cities.  This site has a wealth of information, check it out.
Spring Suggested Planting Dates for Lubbock, TX
These dates are based on a frost-free growing season
starting Apr 3 and ending Nov 1, for a total of days.
 

Crop Sow seeds indoors Transplant seedlings into the garden Direct sow seeds
Asparagus   Feb 18 - Mar 4  
Beans     Apr 3 - May 1
Beets     Feb 7 - Feb 21
Broccoli Jan 24 - Feb 7 Mar 6 - Mar 20  
Brussel Sprouts Jan 24 - Feb 7 Mar 6 - Mar 20  
Cabbage Jan 24 - Feb 7 Mar 6 - Mar 20  
Cantaloupe     Mar 20 - Apr 3
Carrots     Feb 21 - Mar 20
Cauliflower Jan 24 - Feb 7 Mar 6 - Mar 20  
Chard     Feb 21 - Mar 6
Collards Jan 24 - Feb 7 Mar 6 - Mar 20  
Corn     Apr 3 - Apr 17
Cucumbers     Apr 3 - Apr 17
Eggplants Jan 24 - Feb 7 Apr 3 - Apr 17  
Gourds, Squash and Pumpkins     Apr 3 - Apr 17
Kale Jan 24 - Feb 7 Mar 6 - Mar 20  
Kohlrabi Jan 24 - Feb 7 Mar 6 - Mar 20  
Lettuce Jan 24 - Feb 7 Feb 21 - Mar 20 Feb 21 - Mar 20
Mustard Jan 24 - Feb 7 Mar 6 - Mar 20  
Okra     Apr 3 - Apr 17
Onions Jan 17 - Jan 24 Feb 3 - Mar 4  
Peas (English)     Feb 3 - Mar 4
Peas (Southern)     Apr 3 - May 1
Peas (Sugar Snap)     Feb 3 - Mar 4
Peppers Jan 24 - Feb 7 Apr 3 - Apr 17  
Potatoes     Feb 3 - Mar 4
Radishes     Feb 18 - Apr 17
Spinach Jan 24 - Feb 7 Mar 6 - Mar 20 Feb 18 - Mar 20
Sweet Potatoes   Apr 3 - Apr 24  
Tomatoes Jan 24 - Feb 7 Apr 3 - Apr 17  
Watermelon     Apr 3 - Apr 17

Fall  Suggested Planting Dates, Zone 7
These dates are based on a frost-free growing season
starting Apr 3 and ending Nov 1, for a total of days.
 


Crop Sow seeds indoors Transplant seedlings into the garden Direct sow seeds
Beans     Jul 19 - Aug 18
Beets     Aug 18 - Oct 2
Broccoli Jun 7 - Jul 22 Jul 19 - Sep 2  
Brussel Sprouts Jun 7 - Jul 22 Jul 19 - Sep 2  
Cabbage Jun 7 - Jul 22 Jul 19 - Sep 2  
Cantaloupe     Jul 4 - Jul 19
Carrots     Aug 3 - Oct 2
Cauliflower Jun 7 - Jul 22 Jul 19 - Sep 2  
Chard     Jul 19 - Oct 2
Collards Jul 4 - Aug 18 Aug 3 - Sep 17  
Corn     Jul 19 - Aug 3
Cucumbers     Jul 19 - Aug 3
Eggplants May 23 - Jun 7 Jul 4 - Jul 19  
Garlic     Aug 18 - Oct 2
Gourds, Squash and Pumpkins     Jun 19 - Jul 19
Kale Jun 7 - Jul 22 Jul 19 - Sep 2  
Kohlrabi Jun 7 - Jul 22 Jul 19 - Sep 2  
Lettuce Aug 3 - Sep 2 Sep 2 - Oct 2 Sep 2 - Oct 2
Mustard     Sep 2 - Oct 2
Okra     Jun 19 - Jul 19
Onions     Oct 2 - Oct 12
Parsley Jun 19 - Aug 3 Aug 3 - Sep 17  
Peas (English)     Aug 3 - Sep 2
Peas (Southern)     Jun 19 - Jul 19
Peas (Sugar Snap)     Aug 3 - Sep 2
Peppers May 28 - Jun 12 Jul 9 - Jul 24  
Potatoes     Aug 3 - Sep 2
Radishes     Sep 2 - Oct 2
Spinach Jul 19 - Sep 2 Aug 18 - Oct 2 Aug 18 - Oct 2
Tomatoes May 28 - Jun 12 Jul 9 - Jul 24  
Turnips     Sep 17 - Oct 17
Watermelon     Jun 19 - Jul 19

Other resources for Planting Dates:

When you visit the above sites, and countless others, you will discover that the published Frost Dates vary greatly.   Generally, I have deducted 7 days from "First Frost" dates, and added 7 days to "Last Frost" dates when I set up my personal planting calendar.  I have the admit that sometimes planting early and/or late has not worked.  But hey, I am a gardener and "hope springs eternal" in my world.

So, if you are inexperienced or very experienced, ask around - gather info from your friends or consult a professional garden shop in your area.   Before planting watch for periods of extended weather fluctuations.  Observation is a great tool.

 
TABLE 1 - Approximate Days to Maturity

 

Vegetable Crop Days from Planting to Maturity Under Optimum Growing Conditions Vegetable Crop Days from Planting to Maturity Under Optimum Growing Conditions
Bean 48 to 60 Okra 50 to 60
Beet 55 to 70 Onion, dry 90 to 150
Broccoli 90 to 110 Onion, green 50 to 60
Cabbage 65 to 120 Pepper (transplanted crop) 65 to 80
Carrot 120 to 150 Potato 90 to 120
Cauliflower 90 to 110 Pumpkin 100 to 120
Celery (transplanted crop) 90 Radish 21 to 30
Corn, sweet 65 to 95 Spinach 40 to 50
Cucumber (pickling) 50 to 60 Squash, summer 50 to 60
Cucumber (slicing) 60 to 75 Squash, winter 85 to 110
Eggplant (transplanted crop) 60 to 80 Tomato (transplanted crop) 60 to 80
Kohlrabi 50 to 60 Turnip 45 to 75
Lettuce, head 70 to 90 Watermelon 85 to 95
Lettuce, leaf 40 to 50    
Muskmelon 85 to 95    


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