Planting plan - maturation dates question

[Forage420]

For the first time I am making a planting plan this year but I need to figure out maturation dates for a range of fruit and veg. Is there somewhere with complied information based on what zone I am living in?

The reason it is important is because I am hoping to have succession plantings. Yes I can check seed packets etc but this seldom displays the maturation in days, instead there is approximate months of maturation, if at all.

[mcdood]

I think you'll only ever get a rough approximation as the growth will always depend on local conditions in that particular year: water, heat, food, soil, light and also crop variety. Add to that we may pick crops at different stages depending on what we're about to use them for or whether we want them sweeter or whether we're avoiding a particular local crop pest or disease. It's tricky to be that precise.
Gardenfocused is the best site I've found to tailor to your particular location and give the closest to what you are looking. There's a link on there for 'your veg calendar' which I find useful.

[Forage420]

Thats really great a suggestion mcdood,thank you.

[Mr H]

Great advice, thank you. I'll be making my plan for the year soon. I've got general ideas of what I'd like to grow but until I see what plot I'm getting I've put off doing a detailed plan because:

- Don't know when I will get to take the plot on so it might be too late to do / grow some things.
- Don't know what condition it will be in so just getting it orderly might take a while
- Don't really know yet the soil type or sun it will get.

Wonder what the word is that describes Frustrated and Excited.

Mr. H

[nickdub]

Great advice, thank you. I'll be making my plan for the year soon. I've got general ideas of what I'd like to grow but until I see what plot I'm getting I've put off doing a detailed plan because:

- Don't know when I will get to take the plot on so it might be too late to do / grow some things.
- Don't know what condition it will be in so just getting it orderly might take a while
- Don't really know yet the soil type or sun it will get.

Wonder what the word is that describes Frustrated and Excited.

Mr. H

No harm in getting a some seeds going in trays and pots - so you have a few things ready to go in your new plot.

Good luck.

[Mr H]

I hear what you say but I'm worried I'll get a plot that needs so much work to get it usable that anything I plant as seeds would need planting out before I am able to. Plus I don't have a greenhouse so thought it was still too early for seeds.

Mind you the weather we've had the last week is unbelievable.

[Finley]

Bung a few globe artichoke seeds into a pot now - they grow massively even in the first year (might not get usable fruit until the second year). If the plot needs lots of work or you can't get much going, at least you'll have a promising beast or three to keep your spirits up! You can put them pretty much anywhere, any neglected corner, and they'll just go for it.

[nickdub]

I hear what you say but I'm worried I'll get a plot that needs so much work to get it usable that anything I plant as seeds would need planting out before I am able to. Plus I don't have a greenhouse so thought it was still too early for seeds.

Mind you the weather we've had the last week is unbelievable.

I don't think there's anything much to lose with sowing a few seeds from whatever packets you have - obviously don't over do it, but a pinch in of lettuce in a pot or whatever is a start - no need for a greenhouse to get them started, just germinate in a warm spot like on a radiator, then when they're through , give them as much light as you can.

Worse case scenario is you can't use them all, but that just means you'll have some gifts to pass on to any new gardening friends :-)