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Plants library
Every plant and lawn type Tomatograph supports
Sun and water needs, frost tolerance, spacing, soil pH, companion planting, and pests — sourced from Kew's WCVP, USDA Plants, GBIF, and OpenFarm.
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67 plants
Artichoke
Globe Artichoke, French Artichoke
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 85–100 days
- pH: 7.5–8
- Companions: Sunflower, Tarragon, Peas
- Watch for: Aphids, Slugs
- Perennial in zones 7–11; grown as annual elsewhere. Needs winter cold (vernalization) to trigger bud formation — start indoors 8–10 weeks be…
Arugula
Rocket, Rucola
- Light: Partial sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 25–45 days
- pH: 7–7.5
- Companions: Lettuce, Radish, Spinach
- Watch for: Flea Beetle, Aphids
- One of the fastest salad greens — harvest as baby leaves in 25 days or mature leaves in 40 days. Spicy peppery flavor intensifies in heat. B…
Asparagus
Garden Asparagus, Sparrow Grass
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 730–1095 days
- pH: 7–7.5
- Companions: Tomato, Parsley, Basil
- Watch for: Asparagus Beetle, Aphids
- Long-term investment — plant crowns (1-year-old roots) in spring, 8" deep in trenches. Do not harvest at all in year 1; harvest sparingly in…
Basil
Sweet Basil, Thai Basil
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-sensitive
- Maturity: 60–60 days
- Spacing: 30 cm
- pH: 6.5–7
- Companions: Tomato, Pepper, Lettuce
- Watch for: Aphids, Japanese Beetle
- Extremely frost-sensitive; don't plant until night temps stay above 50°F. Pinch flower heads as soon as they appear to maintain leaf product…
Bay Laurel
Bay Leaf, Sweet Bay
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Low water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 365–730 days
- pH: 5.5–6.5
- Companions: Rosemary, Sage, Thyme
- Watch for: Scale Insect, Aphids
- Slow-growing evergreen tree/shrub, hardy in zones 8–10. In colder zones, grow in a large pot and bring indoors when frost threatens. Leaves…
Beet
Beetroot, Red Beet
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 60–60 days
- Spacing: 10 cm
- pH: 7.5–8
- Companions: Garlic, Onion, Lettuce
- Watch for: Leafminer, Aphids
- Direct sow 4–6 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost once established. Each 'seed' is actually a cluster of 2–4 seeds — thin to 3–4…
Bell Pepper
Sweet Pepper, Capsicum
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-sensitive
- Maturity: 75–75 days
- Spacing: 45 cm
- Companions: Basil, Carrot, Tomato
- Watch for: Aphids, Thrips
- Needs warm soil (65°F+) at transplant. Requires consistent moisture but excellent drainage. Stake in windy sites. Slow to start — patience p…
Blackberry
Thorny Blackberry, Thornless Blackberry
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 365–730 days
- Companions: Garlic, Marigold, Chives
- Watch for: Raspberry Beetle, Aphids
- Vigorous canes need a sturdy trellis system. Like raspberries, blackberries fruit on second-year canes — cut out canes that have fruited aft…
Blueberry
Highbush Blueberry, Lowbush Blueberry
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 730–1460 days
- pH: 4.7–7.5
- Companions: Strawberry, Rhododendron, Azalea
- Watch for: Blueberry Maggot, Aphids
- Requires very acidic soil (pH 4.5–5.5) — test and amend with sulfur before planting. Plant two or more varieties for cross-pollination and l…
Bok Choy
Pak Choi, Chinese Cabbage
- Light: Partial sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 45–60 days
- pH: 5–8
- Companions: Lettuce, Spinach, Carrot
- Watch for: Flea Beetle, Aphids
- Fast-growing cool-season brassica. Direct sow or transplant in early spring or late summer/fall. Bolts rapidly in heat or long days — spring…
Borage
Starflower, Bee Bush
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Low water
- Frost: Frost-sensitive
- Maturity: 50–70 days
- pH: 6.5–7
- Companions: Tomato, Strawberry, Squash
- Watch for: Aphids, Slug
- Annual herb with stunning blue star-shaped edible flowers. Excellent companion plant — deters tomato hornworm and cabbage worms, attracts po…
Broccoli
Calabrese, Sprouting Broccoli
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 80–80 days
- Spacing: 45 cm
- pH: 7–7.5
- Companions: Onion, Garlic, Lettuce
- Watch for: Cabbage Worm, Aphids
- Cool-season crop — matures best in fall (transplant late summer) or early spring. Head quality degrades rapidly in heat (turns yellow). Harv…
Brussels Sprouts
Brussels Sprout, Baby Cabbage
- Light: Full sun
- Water: High water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 90–90 days
- Spacing: 60 cm
- pH: 7–7.5
- Companions: Onion, Garlic, Lettuce
- Watch for: Cabbage Worm, Aphids
- Longest-season brassica — start transplants in early summer for fall harvest. Flavor intensifies dramatically after frost. To promote larger…
Cabbage
Green Cabbage, Red Cabbage
- Light: Full sun
- Water: High water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 70–70 days
- Spacing: 45 cm
- pH: 7–7.5
- Companions: Onion, Garlic, Dill
- Watch for: Cabbage Worm, Aphids
- Direct-seed or transplant 6–8 weeks before last frost. Firm heads by withholding water near maturity — but avoid stress after heading starts…
Carrot
Nantes Carrot, Chantenay Carrot
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 75–75 days
- Spacing: 5 cm
- pH: 6.5–7
- Companions: Onion, Leek, Lettuce
- Watch for: Carrot Fly, Aphids
- Requires loose, deep, rock-free soil — compaction causes forking. Sow directly 2–4 weeks before last frost; don't transplant. Thin to 2–3" —…
Cauliflower
White Cauliflower, Purple Cauliflower
- Light: Full sun
- Water: High water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 80–80 days
- Spacing: 45 cm
- Companions: Onion, Garlic, Lettuce
- Watch for: Cabbage Worm, Aphids
- Most demanding brassica — needs consistent water, fertility, and cool temperatures. Blanch white varieties by tying outer leaves over the he…
Celeriac
Celery Root, Turnip-Rooted Celery
- Light: Full sun
- Water: High water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 110–140 days
- pH: 6.5–7
- Companions: Leek, Onion, Pea
- Watch for: Celery Fly, Slug
- Requires a very long season — start indoors 10–12 weeks before last frost. Grows the swollen root base, not celery stalks. Remove lateral ro…
Celery
Pascal Celery, Leaf Celery
- Light: Full sun
- Water: High water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 100–130 days
- pH: 6.5–7
- Companions: Leek, Tomato, Cabbage
- Watch for: Celery Fly, Aphids
- One of the most demanding vegetables — needs rich soil, consistent moisture, and cool temperatures. Start indoors 10–12 weeks before last fr…
Chives
Common Chives, Onion Chives
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 60–90 days
- pH: 7.5–8
- Companions: Carrot, Tomato, Apple
- Watch for: Aphids, Thrips
- Hardy perennial for zones 3–9. One of the easiest herbs to grow. Harvest by cutting leaves to 2" above soil; regrows within 2–3 weeks. Edibl…
Cilantro
Coriander, Chinese Parsley
- Light: Partial sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 45–45 days
- Spacing: 15 cm
- pH: 7–7.5
- Companions: Lettuce, Pea, Spinach
- Watch for: Aphids, Spider Mite
- Direct sow — doesn't transplant well. Bolts (flowers) rapidly in heat or long days; choose slow-bolt varieties for summer. Sow every 3–4 wee…
Cucumber
Slicing Cucumber, Pickling Cucumber
- Light: Full sun
- Water: High water
- Frost: Frost-sensitive
- Maturity: 55–55 days
- Spacing: 30 cm
- Companions: Dill, Lettuce, Pea
- Watch for: Cucumber Beetle, Aphids
- Direct sow after last frost or start 3–4 weeks early. Provide trellis for vining types. Water consistently at soil level — wet foliage cause…
Dill
Dill Weed, Garden Dill
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Low water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 70–70 days
- Spacing: 15 cm
- Companions: Cucumber, Lettuce, Onion
- Watch for: Aphids, Tomato Hornworm
- Direct sow — doesn't transplant well. Attracts beneficial insects (lacewings, parasitic wasps). Bolts quickly in heat; stagger sowings every…
Eggplant
Aubergine, Brinjal
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-sensitive
- Maturity: 80–80 days
- Spacing: 60 cm
- Companions: Basil, Pepper, Tomato
- Watch for: Flea Beetle, Aphids
- Needs the warmest spot in the garden — soil above 65°F. Very frost-sensitive; transplant 2–3 weeks after last frost. Row covers help young p…
Endive
Curly Endive, Escarole
- Light: Partial sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 70–95 days
- pH: 7–7.5
- Companions: Lettuce, Carrot, Radish
- Watch for: Aphids, Slug
- Bitter salad green related to chicory. Best grown for fall harvest from late summer transplants — heat causes excessive bitterness. Blanch p…
Fennel
Sweet Fennel, Common Fennel
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Low water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 65–90 days
- pH: 7.5–8
- Companions: Dill
- Watch for: Aphids, Swallowtail Caterpillar
- Perennial in mild climates; grown as annual in cold zones. Allelopathic — inhibits growth of many vegetables, especially tomatoes and beans.…
Florence Fennel
Finocchio, Bulb Fennel
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 65–90 days
- Companions: Dill
- Watch for: Aphids, Swallowtail Caterpillar
- Grown for its swollen, anise-flavored bulb. Direct sow in early spring (bolts in heat) or late summer for fall harvest. Keep away from tomat…
Garlic
Hardneck Garlic, Softneck Garlic
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Low water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 240–240 days
- Spacing: 10 cm
- pH: 7.5–8
- Companions: Tomato, Carrot, Lettuce
- Watch for: Thrips, Onion Fly
- Plant individual cloves in fall (4–6 weeks before ground freezes) for summer harvest. Needs vernalization (cold period) to develop bulbs. Re…
Gooseberry
European Gooseberry, American Gooseberry
- Light: Partial sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 730–1095 days
- pH: 5.5–6.5
- Companions: Tomato, Garlic, Chives
- Watch for: Gooseberry Sawfly, Aphids
- Hardy bush for zones 3–8. Prefers cool summers — struggles in hot, humid climates. Plant bare-root bushes in late winter. Prune to an open g…
Green Bean
Snap Bean, String Bean
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-sensitive
- Maturity: 55–55 days
- Spacing: 15 cm
- pH: 6.5–7
- Companions: Carrot, Corn, Cucumber
- Watch for: Bean Beetle, Aphids
- Direct sow after last frost — beans resent transplanting. Bush types produce all at once (good for preserving); pole types produce continuou…
Hot Pepper
Chili Pepper, Cayenne
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-sensitive
- Maturity: 80–80 days
- Spacing: 45 cm
- Companions: Basil, Carrot, Tomato
- Watch for: Aphids, Thrips
- More heat-tolerant than bell peppers; actually produces more capsaicin under moderate drought stress. Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before…
Kale
Curly Kale, Lacinato Kale
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 60–60 days
- Spacing: 45 cm
- pH: 7–7.5
- Companions: Onion, Garlic, Carrot
- Watch for: Cabbage Worm, Aphids
- One of the most cold-hardy vegetables — flavor improves after frost. Harvest outer leaves from bottom up; plant produces for months. Start t…
Kohlrabi
German Turnip, Turnip Cabbage
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 45–65 days
- pH: 7–7.5
- Companions: Onion, Lettuce, Beet
- Watch for: Cabbage Worm, Aphids
- Direct sow or transplant 4–6 weeks before last frost. The edible part is the swollen stem, not a root. Harvest when bulb is 2–3" in diameter…
Leek
Autumn Leek, Summer Leek
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 120–120 days
- Spacing: 15 cm
- Companions: Carrot, Celery, Onion
- Watch for: Thrips, Onion Fly
- Start indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost. Transplant into 6" deep trenches; gradually fill in soil (hilling) as plants grow to blanch and…
Lemon Balm
Balm, Melissa
- Light: Partial sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 60–80 days
- pH: 7–7.5
- Companions: Tomato, Squash, Vegetables
- Watch for: Aphids, Spider Mite
- Hardy perennial for zones 3–9 that self-seeds prolifically — deadhead flowers to prevent spreading. Thrives in partial shade; tolerates poor…
Lettuce
Head Lettuce, Loose Leaf Lettuce
- Light: Partial sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 45–45 days
- Spacing: 30 cm
- Companions: Carrot, Radish, Pea
- Watch for: Aphids, Slug
- Cool-season crop tolerating light frost. Shade in afternoon heat prevents bolting. Sow every 2–3 weeks for continuous harvest (cut-and-come-…
Marigold
French Marigold, African Marigold
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Low water
- Frost: Frost-sensitive
- Maturity: 45–60 days
- Companions: Tomato, Pepper, Cucumber
- Watch for: Spider Mite, Aphids
- One of the best companion plants in the garden — French marigolds (Tagetes patula) excrete thiophene compounds from roots that deter nematod…
Marjoram
Sweet Marjoram, Knotted Marjoram
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Low water
- Frost: Frost-sensitive
- Maturity: 60–90 days
- pH: 7.5–8
- Companions: Oregano, Basil, Sage
- Watch for: Aphids, Spider Mite
- Perennial in zones 9–10; grown as annual elsewhere. Related to oregano but with a sweeter, more delicate flavor. Needs well-drained soil and…
Mint
Spearmint, Peppermint
- Light: Partial sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 60–90 days
- pH: 6.5–7
- Companions: Tomato, Cabbage, Pea
- Watch for: Aphids, Spider Mite
- Plant in containers or use root barriers — mint spreads aggressively by underground runners and will take over beds. Thrives in partial shad…
Nasturtium
Garden Nasturtium, Tropaeolum
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Low water
- Frost: Frost-sensitive
- Maturity: 35–55 days
- Companions: Cucumber, Squash, Beans
- Watch for: Aphids, Caterpillar
- Edible ornamental — flowers, leaves, and seed pods are all edible with a peppery flavor. Excellent trap crop for aphids; plant near brassica…
Okra
Lady's Finger, Gumbo
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-sensitive
- Maturity: 50–65 days
- Companions: Basil, Pepper, Marigold
- Watch for: Aphids, Whitefly
- Thrives in heat — plant only after soil reaches 65°F. Soak seeds overnight to improve germination. Harvest pods at 3–4" every 2 days — pods…
Onion
Yellow Onion, Red Onion
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 100–100 days
- Spacing: 10 cm
- Companions: Carrot, Beet, Lettuce
- Watch for: Thrips, Onion Fly
- Long-day varieties for latitudes above 36°N; short-day for southern regions. Start from transplants or sets for earlier bulbing. Bulbing is…
Oregano
Common Oregano, Greek Oregano
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Low water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 70–90 days
- pH: 7–7.5
- Companions: Tomato, Pepper, Basil
- Watch for: Aphids, Spider Mite
- Vigorous perennial herb hardy in zones 4–10. Flavor is most intense in hot, dry conditions with lean soil — rich soil and excess water produ…
Parsley
Curly Parsley, Flat-Leaf Parsley
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 90–90 days
- Spacing: 20 cm
- pH: 5.5–6.5
- Companions: Tomato, Carrot, Asparagus
- Watch for: Aphids, Carrot Fly
- Biennial grown as annual. Slow to germinate (14–28 days) — soak seeds overnight. Start indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost or direct sow 4–…
Pea
Garden Pea, English Pea
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 65–65 days
- Spacing: 5 cm
- pH: 6.5–7
- Companions: Carrot, Cucumber, Lettuce
- Watch for: Aphids, Pea Moth
- Cool-season crop — sow 6–8 weeks before last frost (soil 45°F). Provide trellis for climbing types. Peas fix nitrogen; don't overfeed nitrog…
Potato
White Potato, Russet Potato
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-sensitive
- Maturity: 60–120 days
- pH: 7.5–8
- Companions: Horseradish, Beans, Corn
- Watch for: Colorado Potato Beetle, Aphids
- Plant certified seed potatoes 4–6 weeks before last frost. Hill soil around stems as they grow, keeping tubers covered (light exposure turns…
Pumpkin
Carving Pumpkin, Pie Pumpkin
- Light: Full sun
- Water: High water
- Frost: Frost-sensitive
- Maturity: 100–100 days
- Spacing: 90 cm
- Companions: Corn, Green Bean, Nasturtium
- Watch for: Squash Vine Borer, Squash Bug
- Plant in hills (3–4 seeds per hill) after last frost with 6–8 ft between hills. Needs 90–120 frost-free days. Water at base to avoid mildew…
Radish
French Breakfast Radish, Cherry Belle
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 30–30 days
- Spacing: 5 cm
- pH: 5–5.5
- Companions: Carrot, Cucumber, Lettuce
- Watch for: Flea Beetle, Aphids
- Fastest-maturing vegetable — excellent for impatient gardeners and interplanting. Sow directly every 2–3 weeks for continuous harvest. Bolts…
Raspberry
Summer Raspberry, Autumn Raspberry
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 365–730 days
- pH: 5–7.5
- Companions: Garlic, Chives, Marigold
- Watch for: Raspberry Beetle, Aphids
- Plant bare-root canes in early spring. Tie to wire trellis; summer raspberries fruit on second-year canes (primocanes). After harvest, cut a…
Rhubarb
Garden Rhubarb, Pie Plant
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 365–730 days
- Companions: Strawberry, Onion, Garlic
- Watch for: Slug, Aphids
- Hardy perennial for zones 3–8. Do not harvest stalks at all in year 1; harvest lightly in year 2. From year 3, harvest by pulling/twisting s…
Rosemary
Common Rosemary, Upright Rosemary
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Low water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 80–100 days
- pH: 5–7.5
- Companions: Sage, Thyme, Cabbage
- Watch for: Aphids, Spider Mite
- Mediterranean herb thriving in hot, dry conditions with excellent drainage. Hardy to zone 7 outdoors; bring indoors in colder zones. Prefers…
Sage
Common Sage, Garden Sage
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Low water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 75–90 days
- pH: 7.5–8
- Companions: Rosemary, Tomato, Cabbage
- Watch for: Spider Mite, Aphids
- Hardy perennial in zones 4–8. Prefers well-drained soil and full sun — excellent drought tolerance once established. Prune back by one-third…
Shallot
French Shallot, Banana Shallot
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Low water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 90–120 days
- Companions: Carrot, Tomato, Beet
- Watch for: Thrips, Onion Fly
- Plant sets (small bulbs) in early spring or fall. Each set multiplies into a cluster of 4–8 bulbs. Milder and sweeter than onions with a mor…
Spinach
Baby Spinach, Savoy Spinach
- Light: Partial sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 45–45 days
- Spacing: 15 cm
- pH: 7–7.5
- Companions: Pea, Radish, Lettuce
- Watch for: Aphids, Leafminer
- Most cold-hardy leafy green — tolerates hard freezes with row cover. Bolts rapidly in heat/long days. Sow 6 weeks before last frost and agai…
Spring Onion
Green Onion, Scallion
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 60–80 days
- pH: 7–7.5
- Companions: Carrot, Beet, Tomato
- Watch for: Thrips, Onion Fly
- Direct sow in early spring, 4–6 weeks before last frost. Can also be planted in late summer for fall harvest. Succession sow every 3 weeks f…
Strawberry
Garden Strawberry, June-Bearing Strawberry
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 60–90 days
- pH: 5.5–6.5
- Companions: Borage, Thyme, Lettuce
- Watch for: Slug, Aphids
- Plant in raised beds or matted rows in rich, well-drained soil. Pinch off flowers in year 1 to build plant vigor for year 2. Mulch with stra…
Sunflower
Common Sunflower, Giant Sunflower
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Low water
- Frost: Frost-sensitive
- Maturity: 60–100 days
- pH: 5.5–7.8
- Companions: Cucumber, Squash, Corn
- Watch for: Aphids, Birds
- Direct sow after last frost in full sun — transplanting disturbs the taproot. Excellent windbreak and shade provider for heat-sensitive crop…
Sweet Corn
Corn, Maize
- Light: Full sun
- Water: High water
- Frost: Frost-sensitive
- Maturity: 80–80 days
- Spacing: 30 cm
- pH: 5.5–7.5
- Companions: Green Bean, Squash, Cucumber
- Watch for: Corn Earworm, Aphids
- Plant in blocks (4+ rows) not single rows for proper wind pollination. Direct sow after last frost 1" deep, 9–12" apart. Needs consistent mo…
Sweet Potato
Yam, Kumara
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-sensitive
- Maturity: 90–120 days
- Companions: Thyme, Parsnip, Dill
- Watch for: Sweet Potato Weevil, Whitefly
- Tropical plant requiring long, hot summers — plant slips (rooted cuttings) 2–3 weeks after last frost in warm soil. Black plastic mulch is h…
Swiss Chard
Rainbow Chard, Red Chard
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 55–55 days
- Spacing: 30 cm
- pH: 7.5–8
- Companions: Onion, Lettuce, Beet
- Watch for: Leafminer, Aphids
- Heat and cold tolerant — one of the most versatile greens. Harvest outer leaves; plant regrows for months. Direct sow 2–4 weeks before last…
Tarragon
French Tarragon, Dragon Herb
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Low water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 60–90 days
- Companions: Basil, Dill, Eggplant
- Watch for: Aphids, Spider Mite
- French tarragon (the culinary type) must be propagated from cuttings or division — it rarely sets viable seed. Russian tarragon is seed-grow…
Thyme
Common Thyme, Garden Thyme
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Low water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 70–90 days
- pH: 7.5–8
- Companions: Rosemary, Sage, Cabbage
- Watch for: Aphids, Spider Mite
- Tough, drought-tolerant perennial for zones 4–9. Excellent drainage is essential — overwatering is the main killer. Trim after flowering to…
Tomatillo
Husk Tomato, Mexican Groundcherry
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-sensitive
- Maturity: 75–100 days
- Companions: Basil, Carrot, Pepper
- Watch for: Aphids, Flea Beetle
- Plant at least two plants for cross-pollination — a single plant will produce very little fruit. Treat like tomatoes: plant after last frost…
Tomato
Garden Tomato, Slicing Tomato
- Light: Full sun
- Water: High water
- Frost: Frost-sensitive
- Maturity: 70–70 days
- Spacing: 60 cm
- pH: 7–7.5
- Companions: Basil, Carrot, Parsley
- Watch for: Aphids, Hornworm
- Plant after last frost when soil reaches 60°F. Stake or cage indeterminate varieties; prune suckers for better airflow. Water deeply and con…
Turnip
White Turnip, Purple-Top Turnip
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-hardy
- Maturity: 35–60 days
- pH: 5–8
- Companions: Pea, Lettuce, Garlic
- Watch for: Flea Beetle, Aphids
- Cool-season root vegetable sown directly. Spring crop has a narrow window before heat causes bitterness; fall crop is often superior. Harves…
Watermelon
Citrullus, Sugar Baby
- Light: Full sun
- Water: High water
- Frost: Frost-sensitive
- Maturity: 80–80 days
- Spacing: 90 cm
- Companions: Corn, Nasturtium, Radish
- Watch for: Cucumber Beetle, Aphids
- Needs the most heat of any common vegetable — soil must be 70°F+. Start 4 weeks early in short-season climates. Use black plastic mulch to w…
Winter Squash
Butternut Squash, Acorn Squash
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Medium water
- Frost: Frost-sensitive
- Maturity: 95–95 days
- Spacing: 90 cm
- Companions: Corn, Pea, Nasturtium
- Watch for: Squash Vine Borer, Squash Bug
- Needs a long season — start 3–4 weeks early indoors in short-season climates. Vines can spread 6–10 ft; allow space or train onto trellis. C…
Zucchini
Courgette, Summer Squash
- Light: Full sun
- Water: High water
- Frost: Frost-sensitive
- Maturity: 55–55 days
- Spacing: 90 cm
- Companions: Corn, Pea, Nasturtium
- Watch for: Squash Vine Borer, Squash Bug
- One of the fastest-producing vegetables. Direct sow 1" deep after last frost. Give each plant 4–6 ft of space. Hand-pollinate if bees are sc…