Here in Coastal Maine we are in planting zone 5b with an average last spring frost date of May 11th and a first fall frost date of October 1st. While we haven’t been in the same location, this will be our third grow season in zone 5b. It used to be that when we lived in Western Washington, I’d plant peas on St. Patrick’s Day, and Mother’s Day was the day to set out tomato plants and get the cucumbers and zucchini seeds in the ground.
But here in New England, we’ve had luck the past two summers starting our main garden outside {tomatoes, beans, zucchini, winter squash and everything else that’s not cold hardy} on June first. I’ll start the tomatoes and peppers indoors on April 1st and things like lettuce, radishes, asparagus, raspberries and cauliflower and broccoli I’ll plant outside just as soon as the ground thaws.
Our front yard, is basically done. We were able to get in the boxwood border, hydrangeas, common hibiscus and 900 bulbs {400 tulips and 500 grape muscari} before the ground froze last fall.
The grass does need a pick me up {it’s weedy in spots, and the soil could be refreshed in a few areas} and the hell strip needs to be torn up and re-planted. Also there is a questionable azalea bush that needs to be pruned {or yanked, I can’t decide}. But other than those things the front is done.
We were also able to get the yard fenced in for Lucy last fall as well.
We planted a hydrangea in front of one of the garden gates for summer privacy {the area was home to the previous owners herb patch}.
And sold the giant stack of wood on the side of the house that was set on pallets that was there when we moved in. We relocated the pea gravel, added garden soil and moved all the peonies we found scattered about the yard to their new garden two days before the ground froze {I hope they survive!}.
I’d rather have one big swath of color then bits here and there. I couldn’t find a picture of the new bed on my phone, but basically that area is done as well. I do plan on adding a row of colorful birdhouses {on poles} to that spot for a bit of flair later in the summer.
Also, the day before it snowed for the first time last fall, I planted several pots with poppy seeds. Hopefully they come up. If they do, I’ll plant them in the ground this summer {I’m not sure where though}.
And last but not least, we were also able to get a row of arborvitae in the ground on one side of the yard too. The other side has a nice Canadian hemlock hedge that we’ll need to add a few more trees two this spring to fill in the gaps.
But other than a few existing blueberry bushes I plan to work into my new landscape design, I’ll be pretty much working with clean slate this year. Which I find VERY exciting.
Last night I stayed up late and went through all my seed packets to see what I had and what I needed to order for this years vegetable garden. I also asked my non gardening neighbors what kind of vegetables the’d love to have this summer and added those to my list as well.
Here’s what I’ll be planting in my backyard garden this year:
- Millennium Asparagus Crowns
- Nova Raspberry Plants
- Existing blueberries {I don’t know the variety}
Tomatoes {start indoors April 1st}
- Japanese Black Trifele
- Artisan Bumble Bee Blend Pole Cherry Tomato Seeds
- Red & Yellow Pear Blend Pole Cherry Tomato
- Sun Gold Pole Cherry Tomato
- Ace 55 Tomato
- Long Purple Eggplant {start indoors April 1st}
- Beets – Detroit Dark Red {start outdoors May 1st}
- Sugar Baby Watermelon {start seeds outdoors June 1st}
- French Breakfast Radish {start outdoors as soon as the ground thaws}
- Early Snowball Cauliflower Seeds {start seeds indoors March 15th}
- Purple Peacock Broccoli {start seeds indoors March 15th}
- Sugar Snap Snap Peas {start seeds outdoors as soon as the ground thaws}
- Kentucky Wonder Pole Beans {start seeds outdoors June 1st} Note HH will need to build a trellis or teepee
- Green Globe Improved & Purple of Romagna Artichokes {start indoors February 1st}
Peppers {start indoors April 1st}
Summer Squash and Cucumbers {start outdoors June 1st}
Winter Squash {start outdoors June 1st}
Greens
- Salad Mix Sprouts Seeds {start indoors anytime}
- Red Veined Sorrel
- Sorrel
- Little Gem Romaine Lettuce {plant outdoors May 15th}
- Bloomsdale Spinach {plant as soon as the ground thaws}
- Bright Lights Swiss Chard {start seeds outdoors May 1st?}
- Red Russian Kale {start seeds indoors April 15th}
- Mesclun Baby Greens {start indoors anytime}
Flowers
- English Lavender {start seeds indoors February 15th}
- Purple Coneflower {start seeds indoors February 15th}
- Coleus Rainbow Blend {start indoors April 1st}
- Black Eyed Susan Vines {start outside June 1st}
- Marigold Cracker Jack Blend {start indoors April 1st}
- Alaska Shasta Daisy {start indoors April 1st}
- Sunflowers – Goldy Honey Bear, Sunspot, Elves Blend, Lemon Queen, Mammoth, Shock-O-Lat, Heirloom Beauties
- Morning Glory – Sunrise Blend
- Petunias – Laura Bush Blend {start indoors March 1st}
- Zinnia Fireball Blend {start seeds outdoors June 1st}
- Wild Bergamot
- Mammoth Magenta Celosia
It’s going to be a jam packed late spring and summer with lot’s of projects {building garden beds, birdhouses and a trellis or two for the HH, and plenty of planting for me} and I couldn’t be more excited. We’ve got a sunny backyard, and a plenty of room for Lucy to roam and I am SO PUMPED!!
Spring, it’s just around the corner. Have you figured out what you’ll be planting this year? Do tell! We want to know.
Have an awesome day everyone,
~Mavis
Wendy Clark says
Oh wow! I can’t wait to see your garden mid-summer. Its going to be beautiful. I have started planning mine also. I’m in Alabama and we have a long growing season. I am trying to figure out how to get the most bang for my work and buck and also going to really work on flowers this time. I can grow about any vegetable, but flowers elude me :).
Diana says
LOVE all of your selections, but just one word of warning about Morning Glories. Once planted, always there – and everywhere. I planted some 20 years ago and I’m still pulling them out where I don’t want them…
Would love to see a ‘birds eye’ picture of your back yard with an overlay of what you’re going to plant where. It’s fun to see how you set up your yards…
My 86 year old neighbor and I decided, yesterday, that we’re going to tear up his side yard and plant potatoes in it this year. 5 rows – 1 each of white, red, yellow, bakers and sweet. We should have enough for both of us plus part of the rest of the neighborhood, lol…
shawn lafavers says
I’m a beginning gardener. I love visiting garden shops and over the past few years I’ve purchased lots of Nice seed packets. Alas, they haven’t made it into the ground and have expired 12/18 and 12/19. But, do seeds really expire? What’s your take on that? Thanks.
Mrs. C says
Most last for many, many years. There are two big exceptions (there are others, but these are the main ones): parsnips and things in the onion family, like chives, onions, leeks.
Mavis Butterfield says
It all depends on how the seeds have been stored. I have planted 4 year old tomato seeds before though and while the germination rate wasn’t 100%, I had plenty to plant.
Here’s an article I wrote a few years back. https://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/long-term-seed-storage/
Kim says
Your garden plan sounds beautiful and exciting!!!! So inspiring.
What is the product you used to kill weeds in gravel paths, etc? I have been looking at past posts and cannot find it. I believe you said you sprayed once a year and you got it at a big box store.
Mavis Butterfield says
West Coast – Casoron {you can find it at Home Depot}
West Coast Noxell {Lowes}
They come in a granular form and it’s the best product for keeping weeds out of paths.
Michele says
Your seed list is fantastic! Would you mind sharing your planting layout? Or number of beds? I often over buy seed and seedlings and have trouble fitting it all in. Thanks!
Mavis Butterfield says
I haven’t mapped it out yet. 🙂 I wanted to get my seed order in though before the varieties I wanted sold out.
Katie says
I just can’t wait to see all those tulips in bloom! They’re my favorite 🙂
Mavis Butterfield says
Me too! I’m hoping they all make it, what a wonderful display it will be if they do.
Kris says
I hope they all make it and I can’t wait to see them. You have inspired me so much already.
Claudia says
Can someone tell me what a hell strip is?
laura says
the strip of ground between the street and the sidewalk.
Brenda says
Tree belt for northerners!
Pam says
It’s the narrow grass or dirt strip between the sidewalk and street.
Annette says
I had the same question. Where I live it is called the parking.
Nancy D says
Hahaha ….i was kinda shocked! I was wondering also! I’m in the Pacific NW and only heard it called a parking strip. So funny!!!
Teri says
Can’t wait to see how beautiful it looks with the spring bulbs in bloom. Looking forward to seeing the raised beds and birdhouses too. Here’s hoping the bugs are not bad like your other place. My rhubarb is coming up and some of the bulbs are poking up; so exciting!
Danyell says
I planted those black eye Susan vine last year. I started them inside and moved them out around June 10th. I’m in the PNW. I was never able to get blooms. The Vines grew some but IDK. They sure look awesome when I see them in hanging baskets.
Mavis Butterfield says
I’ve tried growing them in the PNW and also had vines but now flowers. Here though {and maybe it’s because of the humidity} we had tons of blooms.
Annette says
I wish I lived next door to you so you could ask me what I would like planted 🙂
Is HH bashful? We never see his face.
Karin Carson says
Las5 year for the first time I planted heirloom golden beets OMG they are so good, I pickled 20 quarts and they are almost all gone already , I will be planting again this year for sure .
Pam Favorite says
My husband and I have separate gardens, he grows what I don’t want to. We also have limited sun space so I grow all our tomatoes. I love trying new varieties, the colors and stripes. The last couple of years have grown the Japanese Black Trifele and it’s really good. Heavy producer, small to medium fruits. Visitors always remarked that it didn’t look like a tomato because the leaves are so much larger. This year my new seeds are, Speckled Roman, Berkeley Tie Dye Green and Hillbilly Potato Leaf. I’m chomping at the bit.
Anissa says
I am curious about some of your tomatoes. I always love a new variety!
I’m almost positive my favorite ever was your recommendation – Cherokee Purple.
Noticed you don’t have that one and I can’t imagine how wonderful these other varieties must be if you are omitting Cherokee Purple Tomatoes!
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes, we usually grow Cherokee Purple but this year decided to narrow the tomatoes down to 5 varieties as I don’t want to be too overwhelmed in the garden. If after I map everything out, I find I can add a few more varieties, I’ll pick up plants at the Farmer’s Market.
E in Upstate NY says
Just a comment about your asparagus. When I planted mine, the very best thing I did was to put them in a high raised bed. [Over a foot above “regular” ground level, with an additional 6″ wood edge. This allows space for adding more soil as the need arises.] Made weeding and ultimately harvesting the stalks sooo much easier. Highly recommend it.
Sue R. says
I also recommend a deep raised bed for asparagus.
Cass says
Your garden sounds like it is going to be wonderful.
What am I planting? I love odd and weird things. So I am planting asparagus beans (they are dark red/purple and taste wonderful), 3 kinds of watermelon (hoping to finally find a kind that ripens in my area), tiger melons, yellow beets, green radishes (they claim they taste like fruit), huckleberries, as well as an assortment of everything else in the world. LOL
Here’s to an early spring and wonderful harvest!
Nancy D says
Have you heard any news about the black flies or ticks in your new area?
Granny B says
I can’t wait to see you delivering your excess produce around your new town in your pilgrim outfit. They are all going to be so glad to see you coming!!
Margaret Hudgins says
Boulevard for upper mid-westerners.
Karen says
We are doing permaculture this year with lots of hay to keep down weeds, and horse manure to help plants grow.
Jenn from MA says
Have you see the Amish Rainbow Blend Broom Corn Seeds on botanical interests site? I thought of you when I saw them. That would be some project for you to grow your own material to make your own broom!
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes! I planted some last year but never got to harvest because we moved. 🙁 I might try again next year.
Mel says
We have collards, kale, garlic, and purple sprouting broccoli growing right now. When those are done, I’m growing runner beans and sugar snap peas for the first time. I never realized I liked sugar snaps until we got them in our CSA; they always tasted so starchy and tough from the grocery store.
Tomatoes are one of the few things that grow reliably for us, so we’re doing a bunch of varieties (giving away some and making sauce with others):
*White Currant Tomato (I swear this produced 1000 tomatoes from a single plant last year)
*Chocolate Pear
*Peacevine Cherry
*Honey Drop
*Fox Cherry
*Rosella
*Summer Cider (Our all-around favorite)
*Dr. Wyche’s Yellow
*Big Rainbow
*German Johnson
*Paul Robeson
*Rose de Berne
*Mushroom Basket
*Dr. Wood’s Brimmer
Peppers occasionally do well, so we’re doing
*Early Jalapeno
*Jimmy Nardello
*King of the North
*Tobasco
*Red Marconi
I think that’s it! We’re in Zone 7b and letting our CSA handle the other stuff this year.
Wynne says
Hi, Mavis — I think you can start your chard seeds outside sooner than 5/1. Mine are happy to start when the ground thaws. Adore Bright Lights, so beautiful. My mom’s in the same zone/area as you and has the most gorgeous salad greens all summer.
Jess says
Just came across this post, hope your garden is growing well in Maine. I am also a Maine gardener and have been growing vegetables for 10 years here. If your Black Trifle tomatoes struggle, next year try Cherokee Purple or Black Prince, those have been my most successful purple tomatoes in coastal Maine. Peppers take forever here too, mine plants don’t explode into bloom until late July and then will keep going until the killing frost. Good luck!