Monthly Gardening Calendar

 “All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today.”

– Chinese Proverb

BEGINNING OF FEBRUARY

• Remove the tarpaulin if the potager was covered for the winter.
• Prune peach, pear and prune trees when the weather is mild.
• Sow eggplant and peppers indoors in a warm bright place in seed trays or pots for an early start.
• Sow leeks for June and July consumption in a glass covered seedbed, scattering seeds well. Plant in April.
• Sow pelargoniums indoors, keeping soil moist.
• Sow Appia and Salad Bowl (feuille de chêne) lettuces in seedbeds or pots under glass in a greenhouse. Scatter seeds well and cover with a thin layer of soil.

MID-FEBRUARY

• Prep the soil for future planting using a fork and spade and incorporate several bags of compost.
• Sow peas, mangetout peas and broad beans (fêves) 5 cm apart and 4-5 cm deep in two parallel rows in flat 15 cm wide trenches. Hoe lightly after germination.
• Plant shrubs. Enrich the soil with compost and coat bare roots (praliner) or moisten roots of potted shrubs making sure to untangle roots, and water well.
• Prune automne fruiting raspberries to ground level.
• Set seed potatoes out in shallow boxes or egg cartons in a cool, bright, frost-free position to allow them to sprout.

END OF FEBRUARY

• Plant garlic and shallots leaving 10-15 cm between cloves, bury just beneath the surface.
• Trim topiary.
• Transplant lettuce seedlings in seedbeds.

BEGINNING OF MARCH

• Continue to prep the soil for future planting using a fork and spade and incorporate several bags of compost.
• Sow green peas, mangetout peas and broad beans (fêves), 5 cm apart and 4-5 cm deep in two parallel rows in flat 15 cm wide trenches. Hoe lightly after germination.
• Sow tomatoes, eggplant and peppers indoors in a warm bright place in seed trays or pots.
• Sow impatiens and marigolds in a greenhouse. Fill tray with compost, press lightly, sprinkle with seeds and press down. Spray with water, cover with glass and keep warm.
• Sow Appia and Salad Bowl (feuille de chêne) lettuces in seedbeds or pots under glass in a greenhouse. Scatter seeds well, press lightly and spray with water.
• Sow swiss chard in a greenhouse in large pots, several seeds per pot, spacing well.
• Sow spring spinach directly in situ.

MID-MARCH

• Sow leeks for fall consumption in seedbeds in a greenhouse. Sow seeds 1-2 cm deep, then thin seedlings every 5 cm. Plant in May.
• Prune shrub roses including English roses, by one third, remove any remaining foliage.
• Prune repeat-flowering roses 30 cm from the ground, eliminate old branches.
• Plant potted shrubs.
• Finish pruning fruit trees and grape vines. Prune peach trees and olive trees, removing excess inner branches for air and light to circulate.
• Transplant eggplant and pepper seedlings sown in February into individual pots.

END OF MARCH

• Hoe peas and broad beans and add twiggy branches for support when they are 10 cm high bringing soil up and around their stems.
• Plant early potato varieties 10 cm deep and 35 cm apart. When 25cm high, bring soil up around the plants.
• Prune oleanders and other summer flowering shrubs 5 cm from the ground or from its permanent frame.
• Thin impatiens to 5 cm between plants.
• Plant lettuce seedlings sown in February / March.
• Thin out spinach.
• Plant or divide chives, tarragon, sorrel and rhubarb plants, enriching with compost.
• Sow mange tout peas and green peas, 5 cm apart and 4-5 cm deep in two parallel rows in flat 15 cm wide trenches. Hoe lightly after germination.
• Sow radishes and carrots.

BEGINNING OF APRIL

• Sow leeks for fall consumption, to be planted in June.
• Sow radishes and carrots.
• Sow cold-resistant annual flowers, corn flowers, clarkias, delphiniums, larkspur, nasturtiums, California poppies, sunflowers in situ. Sow 4-5 seeds per pocket, 20-30 cm apart.
• Sow kale in a greenhouse for winter consumption.
• Sow spring turnips in situ.
• Transplant tomato, eggplant and pepper seedlings sown in March, into individual pots.

MID-APRIL

• Transplant impatiens and marigold seedlings sown beginning of March into pots.
• Mow and scarify lawn. Fertilize.
• Plant herb plants: chervil, parsley, rosemary, sage and thyme, in the garden or in pots
• Hoe peas and broad beans sown end of March and add twiggy branches for support when they are 10 cm high, bringing soil up and around their stems.
• Harden up tomato, eggplant and pepper plants. Take them outside several hours a day in a sheltered spot away from direct sun and wind.
• Plant strawberry plants and other berry plants.
• Plant seed potatoes when the lilacs are in flower, 10 cm deep and 35 cm apart. When 25 cm high bring soil up around the plants.
• Plant leeks sown at the beginning of February for June and July consumption. Plant seedlings deeply, every 10 cm in rows 30 cm apart.

END OF APRIL

• Plant perennial flowers and flowering shrubs.
• Prune forsythias. Remove old or dead wood, and intersecting branches.
• Plant swiss chard, tomato, eggplant, and pepper plants.
• Plant marigolds among tomato plants.
• Sow squash and pumpkin indoors in individual pots. Plant 3 seeds 1 cm. deep and when they have sprouted, keep the strongest seedling cutting back the others. When they have their first leaves, take them outside several hours a day in a sheltered spot. Plant mid-May.
• Sow carrots, radishes and turnips.
• Sow annual flowers in pockets in situ. Press down with the back of a rake and water well.

BEGINNING OF MAY

• Plant tomato, eggplant and pepper plants.
• Sow swiss chard in situ. Pre-water the soil if dry. Sow 3-4 seeds per pocket every 40 cm. Water well, and thin when the plants have several leaves.
• Sow cucumbers, melons and cornichons in situ, 3 seeds per pocket, in compost enriched soil.
• Plant pelargoniums sown in February.
• Thin annuals sown beginning of April.
• Plant herb plants: chervil, basil, chives, tarragon, mint, sage and thyme, in the garden or in pots.

MID-MAY

• Plant squash and pumpkin plants sown in April. Water and protect if needed.
• Plant leeks sown in March for fall consumption. Leave them on the ground and let dry for a day or two. Trim roots to 2 cm, and leaves to 10 cm and plant every 10 cm, burying them deeply, in rows 30 cm apart.
• Plant impatiens, marigolds and other annual flowers.
• Prune spring-flowering shrubs which are no longer in flower
• Thin annuals sown end of April.
• Plant brussel sprouts.
• Mow lawn and pull weeds.

END OF MAY

• Plant eggplant, squash, cucumber, cornichons, pumpkin and pepper plants.
• Plant beans sown at the end of April after hardening up.
• Sow beans in situ, 5-7 seeds per pocket at the base of each pole for pole beans, or 35 cm. apart for bush beans. Soak beans in water, 24 hours before planting. Dig pockets 15 cm. deep and cover beans with a few centimeters of compost. Place a protective covering until germination.
• Sow pumpkin, squash and cucumber in situ, 3-4 seeds in compost enriched pockets.
• Sow heat resistant lettuces such as Iceberg, Little Gem Lettuce (sucrines), or Rossia (batavia).

BEGINNING OF JUNE

• Sow ornamental gourds, squash, cucumbers and cornichons for the end of the season.
• Divide bulbs, select the best ones and stock in a dry place.
• Thin swiss chard sown in May, leaving 40 cm between plants.
• Pinch off side shoots from tomato plants.
• Trim squash, cucumber and melon vines.
• Thin out squash, pumpkin and cucumber seedlings sown at the end of May.

MID-JUNE

• Plant leeks sown in April for fall consumption. Leave them on the ground and let dry for a day or two. Trim roots to 2 cm, and leaves to 10 cm and plant every 10 cm, burying them deeply, in rows 30 cm apart.
• Trim evergreen hedges and topiary.
• Thin lettuces sown end of May.
• Trim tomato plants and pinch off side shoots.
• Sow beans, 6-8 seeds per pocket at the base of each pole

END OF JUNE

• Sow carrots for winter consumption. Thin seedlings to 10-15 cm.
• Sow biennial flowers in a greenhouse, keep soil moist.
• Harvest culinary herbs in the middle of the day in good weather, before they flower, and let them dry: tarragon, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, savory, sage and thyme.
• Sow heat tolerant lettuces such as Iceberg, Little Gem Lettuce (sucrines), or Rossia (batavia).
• Sow beans, 5-7 seeds per pocket. Soak beans in water, 24 hours before planting. Dig pockets 15 cm. deep and cover beans with a few centimeters of compost. Place a protective covering until germination.
• Sow cucumbers, cornichons, and squash, 3-4 seeds in compost enriched pockets.
• Sow winter radishes in rows 20-30 cm apart. Thin seedlings to 15 cm.

BEGINNING OF JULY

• Sow turnips in rows 20-30 cm apart.
• Sow lupins in situ, 3 seeds per pocket. Select the strongest plant and cut back the others.
• Sow lamb’s lettuce (mâche), in the place once occupied by peas or broad beans.
• Sow Chinese cabbage for fall harvest.

MID-JULY

• Sow winter radishes in rows 20-30 cm apart. Thin seedlings to 15 cm.
• Sow winter carrots un rows 30 cm apart.
• Prune summer fruiting raspberries (non-remontant) by cutting back canes that have produced fruit at ground level leaving 5-6 strong canes.
• Prune tomato plants and shorten squash and pumpkin vines.
• Harvest garlic and shallots when the leaves have yellowed. Leave them on the ground for one day to dry in the sun.
• Begin harvesting potatoes when the leaves have yellowed. Use a fork and pull them up, leave them on the ground to dry for 1-2 days before stocking in a cool dark place.
• Thin turnips beginning of July.

END OF JULY

• Plant or divide iris bulbs.
• Prepare soil for new lawns to be sown in September.
• Thin lamb’s lettuce (mâche) and Chinese cabbage.
• Sow summer and fall radishes in rows 25 cm apart, 2 cm deep.
• Sow pansies, daisies, and forget-me-nots in a greenhouse.

BEGINNING OF AUGUST

• Prune pear trees and apple trees.
• Prune tomato plants and shorten squash and pumpkin vines.
• Thin turnips and carrots sown mid-July.

MID-AUGUST

• Sow bush beans for October harvest. Sow in rows, in pockets of 5-7 seeds per pocket, every 35 cm. Soak beans in water, 24 hours before planting. Dig pockets 15 cm. deep and cover beans with a few centimeters of compost. Place a protective covering until germination.
• Sow pansies, daisies, and violets in a greenhouse.
• Sow frost resistant lamb’s lettuce (mâche), winter spinach and Chinese cabbage.
• Sow spring cabbage in a greenhouse to be planted in October.

END OF AUGUST

• Sow turnips and winter radishes.
• Plant pansies, daisies and forget-me-nots sown in July, spacing plants 10 cm. apart.
• Trim evergreen shrubs and hedges.
• Prune peach and apricot trees.
• Cut summer-fruiting raspberries to the ground.
• Plant strawberries.
• Thin turnips and radishes.

BEGINNING OF SEPTEMBER

• Plant perennials.
• Plant or divide peonies.
• Plant artichokes.
• Thin lettuce, spinach and cabbage.
• Prune tomato leaves to expose last tomatoes.
• Prune automne raspberries (remontant).

MID-SEPTEMBER

• Sow California poppies, delphiniums and sweet peas for early flowering.
• Sow grass.
• Sow frost resistant spinach and lamb’s lettuce (mâche).
• Pick apples and pears.
• Sow small radishes, keep well watered.

END OF SEPTEMBER

• Sow delphiniums.
• Plant pansies, daisies and forget-me-nots sown in July, spacing plants 10 cm. apart.
• Plant early spring bulbs.
• Transplant spring cabbage sown in August in the greenhouse into individual pots.
• Plant strawberries and small fruit shrubs.

OCTOBER

• Plant shrubs and trees.
• Pick hazelnuts.
• Sow frost resistant spinach and lamb’s lettuce.
• Begin preparing soil for winter, adding compost, pruning, leaves, branches, manure and cover if not planting.
• Plant spring bulbs.
• Protect artichokes. Tie them up loosely and protect, covering the base of the plants with soil and mulch.
• Plant spring cabbage sown in August, 40 cm. apart.
• Plants pansies, daisies and violets sown in August.

NOVEMBRE

• Pick olives from mid-month.
• Prune apple and pear trees.
• Plant shrubs and trees.
• Take stock of the year.