How To Plant an All-American Kitchen Garden

We’re going to use the square-foot (1 ft x 1 ft or 30 cm x 30 cm) gardening technique instead of planting in rows to create our raised garden bed. What this means is that you will plant one or more of the same plant in the allotted square. To learn more about the square foot method, please watch this video below:

The Happy Frog Potting soil mentioned in the video above can be bought on Amazon by clicking on the Shop Now button below (affiliate link – I get a very small commssion when you use my link to buy, at no extra cost to you):

---

You will see I refer a lot to ‘last frost’ in the planting guide below – to read more about what that means, please click here.

Each square in the picture below represents 1 square foot, or 30 cm x 30 cm.

Planting Guide

Tomatoes

To start your tomato plants indoors, sow the seeds about 0.6 cm (1/4 inch) deep six to eight weeks before the last frost. Transplant the seedlings into the garden one to two weeks after the last frost or when the soil reaches a temperature of about 18 degrees Celsius (65 degrees Fahrenheit). For proper spacing, place one plant per 0.09 square meters (1 square foot). Consider growing early season crops nearby to allow more room for the tomato plants later. The days to harvest for tomatoes can range from 55-100 days from transplanting, depending on the variety. Keep in mind that tomatoes are not frost-hardy and cannot withstand colder temperatures. As a tip, remove the lower leaves before planting and bury the extra stem to help the plant thrive.

Buy tomato seeds here.

Peppers

To start your pepper plants indoors, sow the seeds about 0.6 cm (1/4 inch) deep 10 to 12 weeks before the last frost. Transplant the seedlings into the garden three weeks after the last frost or when the soil reaches a temperature of about 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit). The fruits of pepper plants are edible from early green to full-color maturity. For proper spacing, place one plant per 0.09 square meters (1 square foot). The days to harvest for peppers are about 50-65 days for green peppers and 80-85 days for full color. Keep in mind that peppers are not frost-hardy and cannot withstand colder temperatures.

Buy pepper seeds here.

Spinach

To plant spinach seeds in your garden, sow them about 1.2 cm (1/2 inch) deep up to six weeks before the last frost. Consider sowing spinach every two weeks in spring and again in late summer for fall crops. For proper spacing, sow 18 seeds per 0.09 square meters (1 square foot) and thin them to nine plants per 0.09 square meters (1 square foot). The days to harvest for spinach are about 30-40 days from germination. Spinach is very frost-hardy and can withstand colder temperatures. As a hint, spinach bolts in hot weather, so consider harvesting it early. To help keep the soil cool and moist, consider using mulch or shade netting. It is recommended to buy organic spinach seeds for the best quality.

Buy spinach seeds here.

Beans

To plant beans in your garden, sow the seeds about 2.5 cm (1 inch) deep directly in the soil after the last frost has passed. For bush beans, space four plants per 0.09 square meters (1 square foot) and for pole beans, space six to eight plants per 0.09 square meters (1 square foot). If you need a second crop of bush beans, plant them about two weeks after the first planting. The days to harvest for beans can range from 50-80 days from seed, depending on the variety. Keep in mind that beans are not frost-hardy. As a tip, consider adding a legume inoculant when planting to boost the plants’ vigor and yield. It is recommended to buy organic bean seeds for the best quality.

Buy bean seeds here.

Basil

To start your plants indoors, sow the seeds about 0.6 cm (1/4 inch) deep six weeks before the last frost. If you prefer to plant outdoors, wait until two weeks after the last frost to sow the seeds. Transplant the seedlings to their permanent location two to three weeks after the last frost or when the soil reaches a temperature of about 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit). If you have extra space and want more plants, feel free to replant them. For proper spacing, place two plants per 0.09 square meters (1 square foot). The days to harvest for these plants can range from 40-55 days from transplant. You can also harvest the leaves as desired. Keep in mind that these plants are not frost-hardy. As a tip, pinch the stems early and often to encourage branching and bushy growth.

Buy basil seeds here.

Broccoli

To start your broccoli plants indoors, sow the seeds about 0.6 cm (1/4 inch) deep six weeks before the last frost in spring. When the seedlings have developed two sets of leaves, transplant them into the garden. For proper spacing, place one plant per 0.09 square meters (1 square foot). The days to harvest for these plants can range from 50-70 days from transplant. Keep in mind that broccoli is frost-hardy and can withstand colder temperatures. If you want a second crop of broccoli, plant it about eight weeks before the first frost in fall. As a hint, consider using row covers to effectively control cabbage worms.

Buy broccoli seeds here.

Kale

To start your kale plants indoors, sow the seeds about 1.2 cm (1/2 inch) deep eight weeks before the last frost or plant them directly in the garden six weeks before the last frost. Transplant the seedlings into the garden up to six weeks before the last frost. Kale is very frost-hardy and can withstand colder temperatures. For proper spacing, place two plants per 0.09 square meters (1 square foot). Kale can also be planted in midsummer wherever early crops have been removed. The plant will continue to grow and produce leaves until late fall. The days to harvest for kale are about 60 days. Keep in mind that kale is very frost-hardy and can tolerate colder temperatures. As a hint, kale can be grown in partial shade and needs plenty of moisture, so consider mulching well to help retain moisture.

Buy kale seeds here.

Swiss Chard

To start your chard plants indoors, sow the seeds about 1.2 cm (1/2 inch) deep six weeks before the last frost or plant them directly in the garden two weeks before the last frost. Transplant the seedlings around the time of the last frost. Consider planting a second crop to ensure a plentiful supply of tender leaves. For proper spacing, place two plants per 0.09 square meters (1 square foot). The days to harvest for chard are about 30 days from seed for baby leaves and 50 days for full size. Chard is frost-hardy and can withstand colder temperatures. As a hint, chard is a good source of summer greens and is not bothered by heat.

Buy Swiss chard seeds here.

Parsley

To start your parsley plants indoors, sow the seeds about 0.6 cm (1/4 inch) deep 10 to 12 weeks before the last frost. Transplant the seedlings into the garden up to a month before the last frost. For proper spacing, place two plants per 0.09 square meters (1 square foot). Parsley is edible all summer and into winter. It is a biennial plant, meaning it will go to seed in the second year. The days to harvest for parsley are about 75 days. You can begin harvesting the foliage at any time. Parsley is very frost-hardy and can withstand colder temperatures. As a hint, parsley can take up to 21 days to germinate. To improve germination, consider treating the seeds with hot water before planting.

Buy parsley seeds here.

Beet

To plant beet seeds in your garden, sow them about 1.2 cm (1/2 inch) deep five to six weeks before the last frost. For proper spacing, plant seeds 18 per 0.09 square meters (1 square foot) and thin them to nine plants. You can also plant more beets in midsummer for a fall harvest. The days to harvest for beets are about 45-60 days. Beets are frost-hardy and can withstand colder temperatures. As a hint, the longer you wait to harvest the beets, the bigger they will become. The tops and thinnings of beets are also flavorful. Beet greens can be used as a “wrap” for grilled proteins and vegetables.

Buy beet seeds here.

Lettuce

To start your lettuce plants indoors, sow the seeds about 0.6 cm (1/4 inch) deep eight weeks before the last frost. Alternatively, you can sow the seeds directly in the garden when the soil reaches a temperature of about 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit). Transplant the seedlings when they are four weeks old. For proper spacing, start with five seedlings and eat four as they grow, leaving one head to mature to full size. Plant more lettuce seeds every two to four weeks for a continuous supply. The days to harvest for lettuce are about 50 days to reach full size. Lettuce is edible anytime and can be replanted every two weeks. It is frost-hardy and can withstand colder temperatures. As a hint, lettuce dislikes heat, so consider giving the plants afternoon shade and plenty of water to help them thrive.

Buy lettuce seeds here.

---