Seasonal Gardening Calendar

Last reviewed and updated: January 2026

Timing is everything in gardening. This month-by-month calendar helps Czech gardeners plan their activities throughout the year, from the first indoor seed starting through winter preparation and rest. Adjust timing slightly based on your specific location within the Czech Republic, as northern highland areas may run 1-2 weeks behind the schedule shown here, which is based on central Bohemia conditions.

Winter Months

January

January is planning time in Czech gardens. While the ground remains frozen and outdoor work is impossible, successful gardeners use this quiet period to prepare for the active season ahead.

• Review last year's notes and successes
• Order seeds from catalogs before popular varieties sell out
• Plan crop rotations to prevent disease buildup
• Clean and organize seed starting supplies
• Check stored vegetables and remove any showing spoilage
• Begin forcing rhubarb or chicory indoors for early harvest

February

Late February marks the beginning of the growing season, at least indoors. Days grow noticeably longer, providing enough light for starting some seeds.

• Start onion seeds indoors under lights
• Sow pepper seeds (they need a long growing season)
• Begin early lettuce and other salad greens indoors
• Chit (pre-sprout) seed potatoes in a cool, bright location
• Prune fruit trees on mild days when temperatures stay above freezing
• Test soil pH if you did not do so in autumn

Spring Months

March

March brings increasing activity both indoors and out. As soil begins to thaw, some cold-hardy crops can go directly into the ground while you continue nursing tender seedlings indoors.

• Start tomato seeds indoors (early to mid-March)
• Sow cabbage family seeds indoors for spring transplants
• Direct sow peas and broad beans as soon as soil can be worked
• Plant onion sets when ground thaws
• Spread compost on beds when soil dries enough to walk on
• Divide and transplant perennial herbs like chives and lovage

April

April is one of the busiest months in Czech gardens. The majority of direct sowing happens now, and many transplants move outdoors under protection. Watch weather forecasts carefully, as late frosts remain possible.

• Direct sow carrots, parsnips, beets, and radishes
• Plant potatoes when soil reaches 8 C
• Transplant brassicas under fleece protection
• Sow lettuce and spinach in succession every 2 weeks
• Start cucumber and squash seeds indoors
• Harden off seedlings gradually before transplanting
• Apply mulch to established beds after soil warms

Crop	Sowing Method	April Timing	Notes
Carrots	Direct sow	Early-mid April	Succession sow monthly
Potatoes	Plant tubers	Mid-late April	When soil reaches 8 C
Peas	Direct sow	Early April	Can sow earlier with protection
Lettuce	Direct or transplant	Throughout April	Every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest

May

May is the transition month when frost-tender crops can finally go outdoors, though experienced Czech gardeners wait until after the Ice Saints (May 12-14) for the most sensitive plants like tomatoes and peppers.

• Transplant tomatoes after mid-May
• Plant peppers, eggplants, and basil outdoors
• Direct sow beans, both bush and climbing types
• Set out cucumber and squash transplants
• Sow corn in blocks for proper pollination
• Continue succession sowing of salads and radishes
• Install support structures for climbing crops

Summer Months

June

June brings long days and rapid growth. The garden fills in quickly, and harvest of early crops begins. This is also the time to start planning for autumn and winter vegetables.

• Harvest early potatoes, peas, and lettuce
• Sow autumn brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts)
• Direct sow late carrots for winter storage
• Keep tomatoes and peppers well-watered
• Begin harvesting herbs regularly
• Watch for and control pests before populations explode
• Mulch to conserve moisture as temperatures rise

July

July is peak harvest season for many crops. The abundance can feel overwhelming, making this the time to begin preserving through freezing, canning, and drying.

• Harvest garlic when lower leaves yellow
• Pick cucumbers and zucchini daily for continuous production
• Collect and dry herbs before flowering for strongest flavor
• Sow quick-maturing crops for autumn: lettuce, radishes, kohlrabi
• Water deeply during dry spells
• Remove tomato side shoots (suckers) weekly
• Begin making pickles and preserves

August

August marks the transition toward autumn gardening. While summer crops continue producing, attention shifts to establishing plants for the cooler months ahead.

• Plant winter onion sets
• Sow overwintering spinach and lamb's lettuce
• Transplant autumn brassicas to their final positions
• Harvest main-crop potatoes for storage
• Collect tomatoes as they ripen; make sauce from excess
• Dry beans and save seeds from best plants
• Continue watering as summer heat persists

Autumn Months

September

September brings cooler nights and shorter days, triggering the final harvest push. Many crops can stay in the ground longer now, developing sweetness from light frosts.

• Harvest winter squash before hard frost
• Dig carrots and beets for storage
• Pick final tomatoes, including green ones for ripening indoors
• Plant garlic cloves for next year's harvest
• Sow green manure crops on empty beds
• Clean up spent plants and add to compost
• Protect cold-hardy crops with fleece for extended harvest

Storage Crop	Harvest Time	Storage Method	Duration
Onions	July-August	Cool, dry, airy	6+ months
Garlic	July	Cool, dry, airy	6+ months
Potatoes	August-September	Cool, dark, humid	4-6 months
Carrots	September-October	Sand in cold cellar	4-5 months
Winter squash	September	Cool room (10-15 C)	3-6 months

October

October is cleanup and preparation month. While some hardy crops continue growing, the main task is putting the garden to bed for winter.

• Plant garlic if not done in September
• Harvest remaining root vegetables before hard ground frost
• Make sauerkraut from autumn cabbage
• Clean and store stakes, cages, and other equipment
• Spread compost or manure on beds for spring
• Protect parsley and other semi-hardy herbs with mulch
• Remove and compost plant debris to reduce disease carryover

November

November offers final opportunities for garden tasks before winter truly sets in. Focus on protecting plants and soil from winter damage.

• Harvest late leeks, Brussels sprouts, and kale
• Mulch garlic bed heavily with straw or leaves
• Protect rosemary and other borderline-hardy plants
• Clear fallen leaves from lawns (use in compost)
• Drain and store irrigation equipment
• Take soil samples for testing if needed
• Order seed catalogs for winter reading

December

December is rest time for both garden and gardener. Very little outdoor work is possible, but the quiet season provides opportunity for reflection and planning.

• Harvest remaining Brussels sprouts and kale as needed
• Check stored vegetables and remove any spoiling
• Review gardening notes from the past year
• Research new varieties to try next season
• Plan next year's garden layout
• Clean and sharpen tools
• Enjoy preserved harvest from summer's abundance

Additional Resources

For more detailed information about specific crops and techniques, explore our other guides and these external resources:

• RHS Grow Your Own Guide
• Gardener's Supply Vegetable Guide

Visit our guides on growing vegetables and cultivating herbs for detailed crop-specific information.