Leafy Greens Planting Calendar

Season Planning

Jun 1

Planting & Setup

Leafy greens are fast-growing, nutrient-dense crops that can be planted multiple times throughout the season. This group includes lettuce, spinach, chard, kale, collards, and other greens that thrive in cooler weather, as well as heat-tolerant options like amaranth and red malabar spinach. Many leafy greens perform best in spring and fall, when temperatures are mild. In the Deep Roots system, leafy greens grow best in compost-rich soil that supports rapid, healthy growth. In zones 5 and 6 you can diversify cool weather hardy greens and heat-tolerant leafy greens to ensure a continuous harvest from spring through fall.

    Crop Name
    How To Plant
    Spring Planting
    Fall Planting
    Germinate Indoors
  


    Amaranth
    Direct Seed
    5/15–7/1
    None
    No
  

    Collard Greens
    Either
    4/1–5/30
    8/1–9/1
    Optional
  

    Kale
    Either
    3/25–5/30
    8/1–9/15
    Optional
  

    Lettuce
    Direct Seed
    3/20–5/15
    8/15–9/30
    No
  

    Red Malabar Spinach
    Direct Seed
    5/20–7/1
    None
    No
  

    Spinach
    Direct Seed
    3/15–5/1
    8/15–9/30
    No
  

    Swiss Chard
    Either
    4/1–6/1
    8/1–9/1
    Optional
  

    Asian Greens
    Either
    3/25–5/15
    8/15–9/30
    Optional
  

Growing Conditions

    Crop Name
    Sunlight
    Temperature Tolerances
    Ideal Soil Temperature
    Seed Depth
    Days to Harvest
  


    Amaranth
    Full sun
    50°F–100°F
    70–90°F
    0.25 in.
    30–50
  

    Collard Greens
    Full–part
    20°F–85°F
    60–75°F
    0.5 in.
    50–70
  

    Kale
    Full–part
    15°F–80°F
    60–70°F
    0.5 in.
    50–70
  

    Lettuce
    Full–part
    28°F–75°F
    55–70°F
    0.125 in.
    30–60
  

    Red Malabar Spinach
    Full–part
    55°F–100°F
    75–90°F
    0.5 in.
    60–80
  

    Spinach
    Full–part
    20°F–70°F
    50–65°F
    0.5 in.
    30–50
  

    Swiss Chard
    Full–part
    25°F–90°F
    60–75°F
    0.5 in.
    50–60
  

    Asian Greens
    Full–part
    25°F–75°F
    55–70°F
    0.25 in.
    30–50
  

Kale and collards greens are considered leafy green vegetables and are, in fact, among the most nutrient-dense options in that category. Both are dark green, cruciferous vegetables, making them excellent sources of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as fiber, iron, calcium, and antioxidants

Red malabar spinach is a “fake spinach” that is a prolific vining plant that loves summer heat.

Lacinato and dinosaur kale are the exact same with dark blue-green, bumpy, crinkled leaves. Curly kale is best grown in spring and fall for a sweet taste after a frost.

Kale (Lacinato/Dino, Curly): Highly frost-resistant and thrives in early spring and fall. Flavor often improves after a light frost.

Arugula: Fast-growing, peppery green that loves the cool spring and fall. It can be harvested in as little as three weeks.

Mustard Greens (Red Giant, Green Wave): Heat-tolerant enough for summer, providing a spicy kick to salads. Pick young for less heat.

Collard Greens: One of the hardiest greens, suitable for spring, summer, and late fall.

Asian Greens (Tatsoi, Mizuna, Bok Choy): Excellent for quick spring or fall succession planting. They are fast-growing and hold up well in cool weather.

Beet Greens: You can plant beets primarily for their leafy greens, which are nutritious and fast-growing.

New Zealand Spinach: A fantastic heat-tolerant alternative to traditional spinach that thrives in summer.

Orach (Mountain Spinach): A colorful, heat-tolerant relative of spinach that doesn't bolt quickly in summer.

Sorrel: A perennial green with a tangy, lemon-like flavor that can be harvested early in spring and late into autumn.

Zone 6 Planting Schedule

Early Spring (March-April): Direct sow spinach, kale, lettuce, arugula, and Swiss chard as soon as the soil can be worked.
Summer (June-July): Plant heat-loving greens like Malabar spinach, Amaranth, New Zealand spinach, and Swiss chard.
Fall Garden (August-September): Resow arugula, lettuce, spinach, kale, and mustard greens for harvests that can continue into November.

Tips for Zone 6 Greens

Succession Planting: Sow new seeds every 2-3 weeks for a continuous supply.
Shade Cloth: Use shade cloth in July and August to prevent greens from bolting.
Overwintering: Kale and spinach can often survive the winter with a little protection, providing very early spring greens.

Lettuce Varieties

Different lettuce varieties have distinct planting dates and maturity timings, largely based on their heat tolerance and type.

Fast-growing leaf lettuces mature in 40–60 days, while
heading types (Romaine, Crisphead) take 70–100+ days.
Early spring/fall plantings favor cool-weather types, while
summer planting requires heat-tolerant, slow-bolting varieties.

Maturity Timing by Type:

Loose-leaf: Fast (40–60 days).
Butterhead/Boston: Medium (55–75 days).
Romaine/Cos: Slower (70–85 days).
Crisphead/Iceberg: Longest (70–100 days).

Planting Dates & Strategies:

Spring: Plant as soon as the soil can be worked.
Summer: Use heat-resistant varieties (e.g., Summer Crisp) to avoid bitter taste and premature bolting.
Fall: Plant in late summer to early fall (Aug–Oct) for a late harvest.
Succession Planting: Plant new seeds every 2–3 weeks for a continuous, steady harvest.

Key Considerations:

Loose-leaf and butterhead varieties can be harvested as "cut-and-come-again" at almost any stage.
Crisphead is the most challenging and requires a long, cool season.
Pair varieties with the season: cold-hardy for early spring/late fall, and heat-tolerant for summer.

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