Leaf lettuce · A
Direct sow. Avoid heat and bolting; sow only in workable soil.
4×8 beginner greens
Three leafy crops with different heat tolerances and harvest habits.
Start spinach in the cooler window. Keep the taller chard from shading lettuce; watch local heat before re-sowing.
How to use this plan
Choose how to end bolting greens while keeping productive chard.
- Check your starting point Inspect the spinach center, lettuce quality and new chard leaves separately.
- Choose the next action Clear a bolting spinach block; keep chard if new usable leaves continue.
- Carry out the plan Mark three leaf blocks, thin each to its own spacing, and record the first heat-related quality change.
- Keep a useful record A crop-specific keep-or-clear record rather than one finish date for all leaves.
If conditions change
- Spinach bolts before its expected harvest. Use any acceptable leaves promptly, clear the spinach block and defer its next cool-season sowing.
Your next step
Direct sow · Spinach
2027-03-27 to 2027-04-10. Check local conditions first.
56target positions
23 bags40 L · after inventory
Print includes your layout, quantities, sources and the full season. Choose Save as PDF in your browser print dialog.
Your plan, ready to grow
Example dates4 × 8 ft (121.9 × 243.8 cm) · 12 in (30.5 cm) fill depth · 6 hours of sun · Start · Last spring frost
56target positions
906.1 Lusable fill volume
23 bags40 L each · after inventory
23 weeksyour seasonal care plan
Planting layout
Top view · orient tall crops away from the sun-facing edge.
| Zone / crop | Positions | Spacing | Season requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| A · Leaf lettuce | 81 planting batch | 12 × 12 in304.8 × 304.8 mm | 18 seeds8 seasonal target positions |
| B · Spinach | 401 planting batch | 6 × 6 in152.4 × 152.4 mm | 88 seeds40 seasonal target positions |
| C · Swiss chard | 81 planting batch | 12 × 12 in304.8 × 304.8 mm | 18 seeds8 seasonal target positions |
Square bed spacing is the selected compact planting method. Container spacing describes root positions; foliage may spread beyond the pot. Seed quantities include 10% spare, with 2 small seeds per target and one bean seed per target. Follow cultivar packets if their spacing or sowing instructions differ.
Planting windows
Soil and weather decide the actual planting day.
Spinach · B
Direct sow. Sow in cool, workable soil; hot days and long daylight can cause bolting.
Swiss chard · C
Direct sow. Plant when soil is workable and not waterlogged; follow packet temperature guidance.
From planting to clearing
Season length not yet checked. Add your first fall frost to check maturity.
These are planning windows. Record what actually happens in your season journal; clear the space before starting the next crop.
A · Leaf lettucePhase 1 · batch 1
- Sow2027-04-03 to 2027-04-17
Avoid heat and bolting; sow only in workable soil. Plant only when the seed packet and local weather conditions agree.
- Seedlings2027-04-09 to 2027-05-01
Mist the surface gently; small seeds must not be washed away. Thin toward 8 positions at 305 × 305 mm when true leaves appear. Keep stronger seedlings. Re-sow gaps only when temperatures and remaining season are suitable.
- Tend2027-04-10 to 2027-06-15
Check the growing center and take small outer leaves without uprooting the plant. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- Harvest check2027-05-18 to 2027-07-07
Pick usable outer leaves before bitterness or a flowering stalk develops. The 45–60-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
- Clear / review2027-07-10 to 2027-07-10
Remove spent plants and check the soil before a successor starts. 21 harvest days and 3 clearing days are planning allowances; actual crop condition decides the changeover. Record actual harvests or losses. Keep healthy perennial clumps if you are not reusing their space; revise the next planting accordingly.
B · SpinachPhase 1 · batch 1
- Sow2027-03-27 to 2027-04-10
Sow in cool, workable soil; hot days and long daylight can cause bolting. Plant only when the seed packet and local weather conditions agree.
- Seedlings2027-04-08 to 2027-05-01
Keep the seedbed evenly moist and protect newly emerging leaves. Thin toward 40 positions at 152 × 152 mm when true leaves appear. Keep stronger seedlings. Re-sow gaps only when temperatures and remaining season are suitable.
- Tend2027-04-08 to 2027-06-03
Look for a developing flower stalk; use leaves early if heat is approaching. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- Harvest check2027-05-11 to 2027-06-18
Take outer leaves at usable size; replace the crop once it bolts. The 40–55-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
- Clear / review2027-06-21 to 2027-06-21
Remove spent plants and check the soil before a successor starts. 14 harvest days and 3 clearing days are planning allowances; actual crop condition decides the changeover. Record actual harvests or losses. Keep healthy perennial clumps if you are not reusing their space; revise the next planting accordingly.
C · Swiss chardPhase 1 · batch 1
- Sow2027-04-24 to 2027-05-08
Plant when soil is workable and not waterlogged; follow packet temperature guidance. Plant only when the seed packet and local weather conditions agree.
- Seedlings2027-05-01 to 2027-05-22
Thin multi-seed clusters to the selected target plants after true leaves develop. Thin toward 8 positions at 305 × 305 mm when true leaves appear. Keep stronger seedlings. Re-sow gaps only when temperatures and remaining season are suitable.
- Tend2027-05-01 to 2027-07-06
Remove damaged outer leaves and check the base without burying the crown. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- Harvest check2027-06-03 to 2027-09-01
Cut mature outer leaves at the base while leaving the growing center. The 40–60-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
- Clear / review2027-09-08 to 2027-09-08
Remove spent plants and check the soil before a successor starts. 56 harvest days and 7 clearing days are planning allowances; actual crop condition decides the changeover. Record actual harvests or losses. Keep healthy perennial clumps if you are not reusing their space; revise the next planting accordingly.
What to buy
Owned items are deducted before buying.
| Supply | Required | Already owned | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raised-bed growing mix | 906.1 L | 0 L | 23 × 40 L bags |
| Position labels (reuse after a crop clears) | 56 each | 0 each | 56 each |
| Measuring tool | 1 each | 0 each | 1 each |
| Gentle watering tool | 1 each | 0 each | 1 each |
| Leaf lettuce · A | 18 seeds | 0 seeds | 18 seeds |
| Spinach · B | 88 seeds | 0 seeds | 88 seeds |
| Swiss chard · C | 18 seeds | 0 seeds | 18 seeds |
Mix: 906.1 L theoretical × 1 allowance = 906.1 L; minus 0 L owned = 906.1 L net. Buying 920 L leaves 13.9 L beyond the net requirement. Allowance is your choice; no fixed compaction loss is assumed.
Your full season
23 weeks, through harvest checks and bed clearing. Check off each week as you work.
01Prepare and begin2027-04-01 — 2027-04-07To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- Measure the usable space. Prepare 906.1 L of raised-bed growing mix before allowance. Start spinach in the cooler window. Keep the taller chard from shading lettuce; watch local heat before re-sowing.
- A (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Direct sow. Avoid heat and bolting; sow only in workable soil. Plant only when the seed packet and local weather conditions agree.
- B (Spinach), batch 1: Direct sow. Sow in cool, workable soil; hot days and long daylight can cause bolting. Plant only when the seed packet and local weather conditions agree.
02Check, tend and act · week 22027-04-08 — 2027-04-14To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- A (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Direct sow. Avoid heat and bolting; sow only in workable soil. Plant only when the seed packet and local weather conditions agree.
- A (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Check emergence and thin. Mist the surface gently; small seeds must not be washed away. Thin toward 8 positions at 305 × 305 mm when true leaves appear. Keep stronger seedlings. Re-sow gaps only when temperatures and remaining season are suitable.
- A (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Check the growing center and take small outer leaves without uprooting the plant. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- B (Spinach), batch 1: Direct sow. Sow in cool, workable soil; hot days and long daylight can cause bolting. Plant only when the seed packet and local weather conditions agree.
- B (Spinach), batch 1: Check emergence and thin. Keep the seedbed evenly moist and protect newly emerging leaves. Thin toward 40 positions at 152 × 152 mm when true leaves appear. Keep stronger seedlings. Re-sow gaps only when temperatures and remaining season are suitable.
- B (Spinach), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Look for a developing flower stalk; use leaves early if heat is approaching. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
03Check, tend and act · week 32027-04-15 — 2027-04-21To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- A (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Direct sow. Avoid heat and bolting; sow only in workable soil. Plant only when the seed packet and local weather conditions agree.
- A (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Check emergence and thin. Mist the surface gently; small seeds must not be washed away. Thin toward 8 positions at 305 × 305 mm when true leaves appear. Keep stronger seedlings. Re-sow gaps only when temperatures and remaining season are suitable.
- A (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Check the growing center and take small outer leaves without uprooting the plant. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- B (Spinach), batch 1: Check emergence and thin. Keep the seedbed evenly moist and protect newly emerging leaves. Thin toward 40 positions at 152 × 152 mm when true leaves appear. Keep stronger seedlings. Re-sow gaps only when temperatures and remaining season are suitable.
- B (Spinach), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Look for a developing flower stalk; use leaves early if heat is approaching. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
04Check, tend and act · week 42027-04-22 — 2027-04-28To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- A (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Check emergence and thin. Mist the surface gently; small seeds must not be washed away. Thin toward 8 positions at 305 × 305 mm when true leaves appear. Keep stronger seedlings. Re-sow gaps only when temperatures and remaining season are suitable.
- A (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Check the growing center and take small outer leaves without uprooting the plant. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- B (Spinach), batch 1: Check emergence and thin. Keep the seedbed evenly moist and protect newly emerging leaves. Thin toward 40 positions at 152 × 152 mm when true leaves appear. Keep stronger seedlings. Re-sow gaps only when temperatures and remaining season are suitable.
- B (Spinach), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Look for a developing flower stalk; use leaves early if heat is approaching. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- C (Swiss chard), batch 1: Direct sow. Plant when soil is workable and not waterlogged; follow packet temperature guidance. Plant only when the seed packet and local weather conditions agree.
- Recount surviving plants before buying replacements. Check remaining seed, seedling and growing-mix inventory.
05Check, tend and act · week 52027-04-29 — 2027-05-05To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- A (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Check emergence and thin. Mist the surface gently; small seeds must not be washed away. Thin toward 8 positions at 305 × 305 mm when true leaves appear. Keep stronger seedlings. Re-sow gaps only when temperatures and remaining season are suitable.
- A (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Check the growing center and take small outer leaves without uprooting the plant. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- B (Spinach), batch 1: Check emergence and thin. Keep the seedbed evenly moist and protect newly emerging leaves. Thin toward 40 positions at 152 × 152 mm when true leaves appear. Keep stronger seedlings. Re-sow gaps only when temperatures and remaining season are suitable.
- B (Spinach), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Look for a developing flower stalk; use leaves early if heat is approaching. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- C (Swiss chard), batch 1: Direct sow. Plant when soil is workable and not waterlogged; follow packet temperature guidance. Plant only when the seed packet and local weather conditions agree.
- C (Swiss chard), batch 1: Check emergence and thin. Thin multi-seed clusters to the selected target plants after true leaves develop. Thin toward 8 positions at 305 × 305 mm when true leaves appear. Keep stronger seedlings. Re-sow gaps only when temperatures and remaining season are suitable.
- C (Swiss chard), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Remove damaged outer leaves and check the base without burying the crown. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
06Check, tend and act · week 62027-05-06 — 2027-05-12To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- A (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Check the growing center and take small outer leaves without uprooting the plant. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- B (Spinach), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Look for a developing flower stalk; use leaves early if heat is approaching. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- B (Spinach), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Take outer leaves at usable size; replace the crop once it bolts. The 40–55-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
- C (Swiss chard), batch 1: Direct sow. Plant when soil is workable and not waterlogged; follow packet temperature guidance. Plant only when the seed packet and local weather conditions agree.
- C (Swiss chard), batch 1: Check emergence and thin. Thin multi-seed clusters to the selected target plants after true leaves develop. Thin toward 8 positions at 305 × 305 mm when true leaves appear. Keep stronger seedlings. Re-sow gaps only when temperatures and remaining season are suitable.
- C (Swiss chard), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Remove damaged outer leaves and check the base without burying the crown. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
07Check, tend and act · week 72027-05-13 — 2027-05-19To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- A (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Check the growing center and take small outer leaves without uprooting the plant. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- A (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Pick usable outer leaves before bitterness or a flowering stalk develops. The 45–60-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
- B (Spinach), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Look for a developing flower stalk; use leaves early if heat is approaching. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- B (Spinach), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Take outer leaves at usable size; replace the crop once it bolts. The 40–55-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
- C (Swiss chard), batch 1: Check emergence and thin. Thin multi-seed clusters to the selected target plants after true leaves develop. Thin toward 8 positions at 305 × 305 mm when true leaves appear. Keep stronger seedlings. Re-sow gaps only when temperatures and remaining season are suitable.
- C (Swiss chard), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Remove damaged outer leaves and check the base without burying the crown. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
08Check, tend and act · week 82027-05-20 — 2027-05-26To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- A (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Check the growing center and take small outer leaves without uprooting the plant. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- A (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Pick usable outer leaves before bitterness or a flowering stalk develops. The 45–60-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
- B (Spinach), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Look for a developing flower stalk; use leaves early if heat is approaching. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- B (Spinach), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Take outer leaves at usable size; replace the crop once it bolts. The 40–55-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
- C (Swiss chard), batch 1: Check emergence and thin. Thin multi-seed clusters to the selected target plants after true leaves develop. Thin toward 8 positions at 305 × 305 mm when true leaves appear. Keep stronger seedlings. Re-sow gaps only when temperatures and remaining season are suitable.
- C (Swiss chard), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Remove damaged outer leaves and check the base without burying the crown. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- Recount surviving plants before buying replacements. Check remaining seed, seedling and growing-mix inventory.
09Check, tend and act · week 92027-05-27 — 2027-06-02To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- A (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Check the growing center and take small outer leaves without uprooting the plant. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- A (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Pick usable outer leaves before bitterness or a flowering stalk develops. The 45–60-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
- B (Spinach), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Look for a developing flower stalk; use leaves early if heat is approaching. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- B (Spinach), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Take outer leaves at usable size; replace the crop once it bolts. The 40–55-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
- C (Swiss chard), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Remove damaged outer leaves and check the base without burying the crown. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
10Check, tend and act · week 102027-06-03 — 2027-06-09To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- A (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Check the growing center and take small outer leaves without uprooting the plant. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- A (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Pick usable outer leaves before bitterness or a flowering stalk develops. The 45–60-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
- B (Spinach), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Look for a developing flower stalk; use leaves early if heat is approaching. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- B (Spinach), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Take outer leaves at usable size; replace the crop once it bolts. The 40–55-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
- C (Swiss chard), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Remove damaged outer leaves and check the base without burying the crown. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- C (Swiss chard), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Cut mature outer leaves at the base while leaving the growing center. The 40–60-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
11Check, tend and act · week 112027-06-10 — 2027-06-16To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- A (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Check the growing center and take small outer leaves without uprooting the plant. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- A (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Pick usable outer leaves before bitterness or a flowering stalk develops. The 45–60-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
- B (Spinach), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Take outer leaves at usable size; replace the crop once it bolts. The 40–55-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
- C (Swiss chard), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Remove damaged outer leaves and check the base without burying the crown. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- C (Swiss chard), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Cut mature outer leaves at the base while leaving the growing center. The 40–60-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
12Check, tend and act · week 122027-06-17 — 2027-06-23To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- A (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Pick usable outer leaves before bitterness or a flowering stalk develops. The 45–60-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
- B (Spinach), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Take outer leaves at usable size; replace the crop once it bolts. The 40–55-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
- B (Spinach), batch 1: Clear and review the planting. Remove spent plants and check the soil before a successor starts. 14 harvest days and 3 clearing days are planning allowances; actual crop condition decides the changeover. Record actual harvests or losses. Keep healthy perennial clumps if you are not reusing their space; revise the next planting accordingly.
- C (Swiss chard), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Remove damaged outer leaves and check the base without burying the crown. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- C (Swiss chard), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Cut mature outer leaves at the base while leaving the growing center. The 40–60-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
- Recount surviving plants before buying replacements. Check remaining seed, seedling and growing-mix inventory.
13Check, tend and act · week 132027-06-24 — 2027-06-30To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- A (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Pick usable outer leaves before bitterness or a flowering stalk develops. The 45–60-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
- C (Swiss chard), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Remove damaged outer leaves and check the base without burying the crown. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- C (Swiss chard), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Cut mature outer leaves at the base while leaving the growing center. The 40–60-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
14Check, tend and act · week 142027-07-01 — 2027-07-07To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- A (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Pick usable outer leaves before bitterness or a flowering stalk develops. The 45–60-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
- C (Swiss chard), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Remove damaged outer leaves and check the base without burying the crown. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- C (Swiss chard), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Cut mature outer leaves at the base while leaving the growing center. The 40–60-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
15Check, tend and act · week 152027-07-08 — 2027-07-14To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- A (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Clear and review the planting. Remove spent plants and check the soil before a successor starts. 21 harvest days and 3 clearing days are planning allowances; actual crop condition decides the changeover. Record actual harvests or losses. Keep healthy perennial clumps if you are not reusing their space; revise the next planting accordingly.
- C (Swiss chard), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Cut mature outer leaves at the base while leaving the growing center. The 40–60-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
16Check, tend and act · week 162027-07-15 — 2027-07-21To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- C (Swiss chard), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Cut mature outer leaves at the base while leaving the growing center. The 40–60-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
- Recount surviving plants before buying replacements. Check remaining seed, seedling and growing-mix inventory.
17Check, tend and act · week 172027-07-22 — 2027-07-28To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- C (Swiss chard), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Cut mature outer leaves at the base while leaving the growing center. The 40–60-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
18Check, tend and act · week 182027-07-29 — 2027-08-04To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- C (Swiss chard), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Cut mature outer leaves at the base while leaving the growing center. The 40–60-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
19Check, tend and act · week 192027-08-05 — 2027-08-11To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- C (Swiss chard), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Cut mature outer leaves at the base while leaving the growing center. The 40–60-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
20Check, tend and act · week 202027-08-12 — 2027-08-18To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- C (Swiss chard), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Cut mature outer leaves at the base while leaving the growing center. The 40–60-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
- Recount surviving plants before buying replacements. Check remaining seed, seedling and growing-mix inventory.
21Check, tend and act · week 212027-08-19 — 2027-08-25To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- C (Swiss chard), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Cut mature outer leaves at the base while leaving the growing center. The 40–60-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
22Check, tend and act · week 222027-08-26 — 2027-09-01To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- C (Swiss chard), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Cut mature outer leaves at the base while leaving the growing center. The 40–60-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
23Finish and review the season2027-09-02 — 2027-09-08To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- C (Swiss chard), batch 1: Clear and review the planting. Remove spent plants and check the soil before a successor starts. 56 harvest days and 7 clearing days are planning allowances; actual crop condition decides the changeover. Record actual harvests or losses. Keep healthy perennial clumps if you are not reusing their space; revise the next planting accordingly.
- Review harvest and crop-loss records, clear or retain plants as appropriate, and update remaining stock before planning the next season.
Assumptions and sources
- Spacing is for the selected compact planting method; follow your cultivar packet where it differs.
- Seed allowance and minimum root-space limits are planning choices, not germination or yield guarantees.
- Dates are preparation windows, not forecasts. Confirm soil temperature, weather and actual crop stage.
- First fall frost is a conservative planning boundary, including for hardy crops. Continuing beyond it needs suitable local guidance and protection.
- Harvest and clearing durations are planning allowances. A successor waits for the final preceding batch to clear; actual crop progress may move those dates.
Fall plans use a 14-day buffer beyond estimated maturity. Successors wait for the final preceding batch, including its harvest allowance and clearing period. The lifecycle shows those crop-specific windows; the zone must actually be empty. Minimum sun and root-space thresholds are planning limits, with cultivar and climate variation.
- UMN Extension: Growing lettuceFull-size leaf lettuce plant distance is 10–12 inches. Our 12-inch square cells use an intensive bed layout rather than conventional row aisles. Accessed 2026-10-04.
- UMD Extension: Growing vegetables in containers and salad tablesSun exposure, drainage, growing media and crop-specific minimum volumes; our thresholds are conservative planning settings. Accessed 2026-10-13.
- UMN Extension: Planting the vegetable gardenCool and warm season establishment; weather and soil readiness matter. Minnesota month dates are not used as global dates. Accessed 2026-10-13.
- UMN Extension: Planting for fall harvestMaturity is a cultivar-dependent estimate; our extra 14-day fall buffer is an explicit planning assumption. Accessed 2026-10-13.
- UMD Extension: Growing spinachCool-season spinach and final thinning distance. Six-inch cells are our selected intensive-bed method. Accessed 2026-10-04.
- UMD Extension: Growing Swiss chardLarge chard plants need 8–12 inch plant distance. We select 12 inches for leaves and stems. Accessed 2026-10-04.
Plan garden-03 · version 2 · calculation 2. Actual germination, harvest and local climate performance have not been field tested.
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