Bed & Balcony
Garden plans / Raised beds

Fall greens from first frost

Fall sowing windows calculated backward from your first frost date.

Use a 14-day slowing-growth buffer in addition to cultivar maturity estimates. Local summer heat can delay safe germination.

Your next step

Direct sow · Leaf lettuce
2027-08-02 to 2027-08-17. Check local conditions first.

208target positions
16 bags40 L · after inventory

Print includes your layout, quantities, sources and all twelve weeks. Choose Save as PDF in your browser print dialog.

Your plan, ready to grow

Example dates

4 × 8 ft (121.9 × 243.8 cm) · 8 in (20.3 cm) fill depth · 4 hours of sun · Start · Last spring frost · First fall frost

208target positions
604.1 Lusable fill volume
16 bags40 L each · after inventory
12 weeksyour first care plan

Planting layout

Top view · orient tall crops away from the sun-facing edge.

Fall greens from first frost · phase 1ABC4 ft / 121.9 cm8 ft / 243.8 cm
Bed 1 · phase 1. Each dot is one target position. 4 × 8 ft (121.9 × 243.8 cm)
Positions and seasonal planting quantities
Zone / cropPositionsSpacingSeason purchase
A · Leaf lettuce81 planting batch12 × 12 in304.8 × 304.8 mm18 seeds8 seasonal target positions
B · Spinach401 planting batch6 × 6 in152.4 × 152.4 mm88 seeds40 seasonal target positions
C · Small round radishes1601 planting batch3 × 3 in76.2 × 76.2 mm352 seeds160 seasonal target positions

Square bed spacing is the selected compact planting method. Container spacing describes root positions; foliage may spread beyond the pot. Seed quantities include 10% spare, with 2 small seeds per target and one bean seed per target. Follow cultivar packets if their spacing or sowing instructions differ.

Planting windows

Soil and weather decide the actual planting day.

2027-08-02 to 2027-08-17

Leaf lettuce · A

Direct sow. Avoid heat and bolting; sow only in workable soil.

2027-08-07 to 2027-08-22

Spinach · B

Direct sow. Sow in cool, workable soil; hot days and long daylight can cause bolting.

2027-08-27 to 2027-09-06

Small round radishes · C

Direct sow. Use a small round spring variety, not daikon; avoid sustained hot weather.

What to buy

Owned items are deducted before buying.

Net supply list
SupplyRequiredAlready ownedBuy
Raised-bed growing mix604.1 L0 L16 × 40 L bags
Position labels (reuse between phases)208 each0 each208 each
Measuring tool1 each0 each1 each
Gentle watering tool1 each0 each1 each
Leaf lettuce · A · 1 batch18 seeds0 seeds18 seeds
Spinach · B · 1 batch88 seeds0 seeds88 seeds
Small round radishes · C · 1 batch352 seeds0 seeds352 seeds

Mix: 604.1 L theoretical × 1 allowance = 604.1 L; minus 0 L owned = 604.1 L net. Buying 640 L leaves 35.9 L beyond the net requirement. Allowance is your choice; no fixed compaction loss is assumed.

Your first twelve weeks

Check off each week as you work.

01Prepare and begin2027-07-01 — 2027-07-07To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • Measure the usable space. Prepare 604.1 L of raised-bed growing mix before allowance. Use a 14-day slowing-growth buffer in addition to cultivar maturity estimates. Local summer heat can delay safe germination.
  • A (Leaf lettuce): keep this zone clear; confirm seed or seedling availability and 4+ hours of sun.
  • B (Spinach): keep this zone clear; confirm seed or seedling availability and 4+ hours of sun.
  • C (Small round radishes): keep this zone clear; confirm seed or seedling availability and 4+ hours of sun.
02Check, tend and act · week 22027-07-08 — 2027-07-14To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • A (Leaf lettuce): keep this zone clear; confirm seed or seedling availability and 4+ hours of sun.
  • B (Spinach): keep this zone clear; confirm seed or seedling availability and 4+ hours of sun.
  • C (Small round radishes): keep this zone clear; confirm seed or seedling availability and 4+ hours of sun.
03Check, tend and act · week 32027-07-15 — 2027-07-21To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • A (Leaf lettuce): keep this zone clear; confirm seed or seedling availability and 4+ hours of sun.
  • B (Spinach): keep this zone clear; confirm seed or seedling availability and 4+ hours of sun.
  • C (Small round radishes): keep this zone clear; confirm seed or seedling availability and 4+ hours of sun.
04Check, tend and act · week 42027-07-22 — 2027-07-28To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • A (Leaf lettuce): keep this zone clear; confirm seed or seedling availability and 4+ hours of sun.
  • B (Spinach): keep this zone clear; confirm seed or seedling availability and 4+ hours of sun.
  • C (Small round radishes): keep this zone clear; confirm seed or seedling availability and 4+ hours of sun.
  • Recount surviving positions before buying replacements. Check remaining seed and mix inventory.
05Check, tend and act · week 52027-07-29 — 2027-08-04To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • Direct sow: Leaf lettuce in A. Avoid heat and bolting; sow only in workable soil.
  • A: check surface moisture and emergence without disturbing roots. Mist the surface gently; small seeds must not be washed away.
  • B (Spinach): keep this zone clear; confirm seed or seedling availability and 4+ hours of sun.
  • C (Small round radishes): keep this zone clear; confirm seed or seedling availability and 4+ hours of sun.
06Check, tend and act · week 62027-08-05 — 2027-08-11To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • Direct sow: Leaf lettuce in A. Avoid heat and bolting; sow only in workable soil.
  • Direct sow: Spinach in B. Sow in cool, workable soil; hot days and long daylight can cause bolting.
  • A: check surface moisture and emergence without disturbing roots. Mist the surface gently; small seeds must not be washed away.
  • B: check surface moisture and emergence without disturbing roots. Keep the seedbed evenly moist and protect newly emerging leaves.
  • C (Small round radishes): keep this zone clear; confirm seed or seedling availability and 4+ hours of sun.
07Check, tend and act · week 72027-08-12 — 2027-08-18To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • Direct sow: Leaf lettuce in A. Avoid heat and bolting; sow only in workable soil.
  • Direct sow: Spinach in B. Sow in cool, workable soil; hot days and long daylight can cause bolting.
  • A: check surface moisture and emergence without disturbing roots. Mist the surface gently; small seeds must not be washed away.
  • B: check surface moisture and emergence without disturbing roots. Keep the seedbed evenly moist and protect newly emerging leaves.
  • C (Small round radishes): keep this zone clear; confirm seed or seedling availability and 4+ hours of sun.
08Check, tend and act · week 82027-08-19 — 2027-08-25To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • Direct sow: Spinach in B. Sow in cool, workable soil; hot days and long daylight can cause bolting.
  • A: when true leaves appear, thin toward 8 positions at 12.0 × 12.0 in (305 × 305 mm). Keep stronger seedlings; re-sow gaps only if conditions permit.
  • B: check surface moisture and emergence without disturbing roots. Keep the seedbed evenly moist and protect newly emerging leaves.
  • C (Small round radishes): keep this zone clear; confirm seed or seedling availability and 4+ hours of sun.
  • Recount surviving positions before buying replacements. Check remaining seed and mix inventory.
09Check, tend and act · week 92027-08-26 — 2027-09-01To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • Direct sow: Small round radishes in C. Use a small round spring variety, not daikon; avoid sustained hot weather.
  • A: when true leaves appear, thin toward 8 positions at 12.0 × 12.0 in (305 × 305 mm). Keep stronger seedlings; re-sow gaps only if conditions permit.
  • B: when true leaves appear, thin toward 40 positions at 6.0 × 6.0 in (152 × 152 mm). Keep stronger seedlings; re-sow gaps only if conditions permit.
  • C: check surface moisture and emergence without disturbing roots. Thin early after emergence; a crowded root will not size well.
10Check, tend and act · week 102027-09-02 — 2027-09-08To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • Direct sow: Small round radishes in C. Use a small round spring variety, not daikon; avoid sustained hot weather.
  • A: Check the growing center and take small outer leaves without uprooting the plant. Compare actual growth with your seed packet; remove competing weeds carefully.
  • B: when true leaves appear, thin toward 40 positions at 6.0 × 6.0 in (152 × 152 mm). Keep stronger seedlings; re-sow gaps only if conditions permit.
  • C: check surface moisture and emergence without disturbing roots. Thin early after emergence; a crowded root will not size well.
11Check, tend and act · week 112027-09-09 — 2027-09-15To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • A: Check the growing center and take small outer leaves without uprooting the plant. Compare actual growth with your seed packet; remove competing weeds carefully.
  • B: Look for a developing flower stalk; use leaves early if heat is approaching. Compare actual growth with your seed packet; remove competing weeds carefully.
  • C: check surface moisture and emergence without disturbing roots. Thin early after emergence; a crowded root will not size well.
12Review and plan ahead2027-09-16 — 2027-09-22To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • A: Pick usable outer leaves before bitterness or a flowering stalk develops. Maturity estimate 45–60 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
  • B: Take outer leaves at usable size; replace the crop once it bolts. Maturity estimate 40–55 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
  • C: when true leaves appear, thin toward 160 positions at 3.0 × 3.0 in (76 × 76 mm). Keep stronger seedlings; re-sow gaps only if conditions permit.
  • Review the next stage: late crops may need care beyond these twelve weeks. Record harvest, failures and remaining supplies before selecting your next planting.

Assumptions and sources

  • Spacing is for the selected compact planting method; follow your cultivar packet where it differs.
  • Seed allowance and minimum root-space limits are editable planning choices, not germination or yield guarantees.
  • Dates are preparation windows, not forecasts. Confirm soil temperature, weather and actual crop stage.

Fall plans use a 14-day buffer beyond estimated maturity. Succession plans allow 7 days after the preceding crop estimate and still require an empty zone. Minimum sun and root-space thresholds are planning limits, with cultivar and climate variation.

  1. UMN Extension: Growing lettuceFull-size leaf lettuce plant distance is 10–12 inches. Our 12-inch square cells use an intensive bed layout rather than conventional row aisles. Accessed 2026-10-04.
  2. UMD Extension: Growing vegetables in containers and salad tablesSun exposure, drainage, growing media and crop-specific minimum volumes; our thresholds are conservative planning settings. Accessed 2026-10-04.
  3. UMN Extension: Planting the vegetable gardenCool and warm season establishment; weather and soil readiness matter. Minnesota month dates are not used as global dates. Accessed 2026-10-04.
  4. UMN Extension: Planting for fall harvestMaturity is a cultivar-dependent estimate; our extra 14-day fall buffer is an explicit planning assumption. Accessed 2026-10-04.
  5. UMD Extension: Growing spinachCool-season spinach and final thinning distance. Six-inch cells are our selected intensive-bed method. Accessed 2026-10-04.
  6. UMN Extension: Growing radishesSmall round radishes need thinning; our 3-inch cells exclude large daikon varieties. Accessed 2026-10-04.

Plan garden-30 · version 1 · calculation 1. Actual germination, harvest and local climate performance have not been field tested.

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