Your Gardening Calendar - Prep by Month

A new year has begun, garden lovers, and it’s time to get organized. Your gardening calendar for 2026 should follow the seasons with monthly prep tasks like planning in winter, starting seeds in spring, and planting outdoors in the summer. This ongoing rhythm will keep things thriving without overwhelming your schedule. Now, let’s dive in month by month.

 

January: Start Planning 

Start the year with some reflection. Sketch layouts, order seeds, and assess tools while there’s still some snow. Review last year's success and issues. Clean your tools such as pruners with alcohol wipes and sharpen hoes. I recommend Vego's garden toolbox to keep everything organized and rust-free. Start a simple notebook with bed sketches and plan out your space. 

February: Start Seeds Indoors

As days lengthen, kick off seeds under lights for tomatoes, peppers, and herbs. Use trays for germination and aim for temperatures of 70-80°F. My first February starts were disasters in a cold window; adding an LED grow light fixed that, yielding sturdier plants. Stackable seedling trays will make seed starting more efficient, and you can pot up as they grow. 

March: Prep Your Beds

This is a good time to boost your soil with some prep work. Test soil pH, amend it with compost, and till lightly. Clear weeds and add mulch too. I prepped early one March after a mild winter; and my garden beds warmed fast for peas. If clay's an issue, Vego's raised beds elevate and drain well, preventing mud pies. Rake smooth and cover with black plastic to ward off pests; and you’ll have a foundation for thriving plants. 

April: Plant Cool Crops

With the last frost passing, sow greens like peas, lettuce, and spinach outdoors. Carrots and beets are also good options. Row covers and frost blankets can extend the season, preventing my spinach from bolting more than once. Try companion planting to boost yields.

May: Harden Off and Transplant

Move your seedlings outside gradually - during the mornings first, to full days by the end of the week. Transplant omatoes and squash to the garden, staking them early. Consider using Vego's trellises for added support from day one, preventing sprawl. Remember to water deeply post-planting for sufficient moisture to keep plant roots happy.

June: Add Mulch

Summer heat calls for weekly watering, weeding, and mulching to cool down soil. Fertilize with compost tea. I skipped mulch last summer; and weeds exploded while my soil baked. Layering much with straw changed everything, reviving the soil and plant growth. 

July: Prune and Prep for Harvest

This is the month when plant growth reaches its peak and that also means daily picking. Prune your tomatoes and peppers for airflow, and you can freeze the extras for winter. Snip off any spent plants, and thin out crowded spots in the garden - this can boost your harvest and yields later. 

August: Succession Plant and Preserve

Sow fall crops like kale while harvesting summer ones. Preserve by canning or drying. A hot August once wilted my beans; shade cloth helped. Vego's composting caddy recycles scraps into next season's gold, and my fall brassicas loved it.

September: Fall Prep with Cover Crops

Plant garlic and cover your beds with rye for optimal winter soil health. Clean up debris to prevent the spread of disease. Check out Vego's cover systems for solid protection from early frosts, extending your harvests.

October: Clean Up 

This is the month for cleaning up. Rake leaves for mulch, and store your garden tools clean and oiled. You can also take time to make assessments for next year. Record your wins in a journal; mine's full of gardening anecdotes and tips that I can look up.

November: Rest and Reflect

Time to let your garden beds rest, while also using this dormant period to plan ahead. I like to review garden photos I took earlier; and use this time to think about layout tweaks or ways to improve my space. 

December: Indoor Starts and Tools Check

Seed onions indoors, sharpen shears. My December onions were ready by spring. Vego's indoor planters keep momentum going. There you have it, this calendar's my gardening roadmap. Adapt and try what works for you, and your garden will flourish this year.