Bed & Balcony
Garden plans / Raised beds

Spring and fall leaves under seasonal shade

Plan cool-season leaf crops around a summer shade or heat interruption.

Clear the spring lettuce when quality declines. Leave the bed unplanted through unsuitable conditions and restart only in the fall window.

How to use this plan

Leave a deliberate gap between spring and fall leaf crops.

  1. Check your starting point Record spring quality decline, summer shade or heat, and the return of suitable fall conditions.
  2. Choose the next action Keep the bed empty during the unsuitable gap; use the fall window only after reassessing light.
  3. Carry out the plan Finish lettuce, clear the bed, control weeds during the gap and re-mark arugula when fall conditions fit.
  4. Keep a useful record A two-season map with an explicit unplanted interval.

If conditions change

Compare this plan with another layout

Your next step

Direct sow · Leaf lettuce
2027-04-03 to 2027-04-17. Check local conditions first.

32 → 128target positions
16 bags40 L · after inventory

Print includes your layout, quantities, sources and the full season. 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

32 → 128target positions by phase
604.1 Lusable fill volume
16 bags40 L each · after inventory
29 weeksyour seasonal care plan

Planting layout

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

Phase 1 · 32 positions

Spring and fall leaves under seasonal shade · phase 1spring-leaves4 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)

Phase 2 · 128 positions

Spring and fall leaves under seasonal shade · phase 2fall-leaves4 ft / 121.9 cm8 ft / 243.8 cm
Bed 1 · phase 2. Each dot is one target position. 4 × 8 ft (121.9 × 243.8 cm)
Positions and seasonal planting quantities
Zone / cropPositionsSpacingSeason requirement
spring-leaves · Leaf lettuce321 planting batch12 × 12 in304.8 × 304.8 mm71 seeds32 seasonal target positions
fall-leaves · Arugula for young leavesPhase 21281 planting batch6 × 6 in152.4 × 152.4 mm282 seeds128 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.

2027-04-03 to 2027-04-17

Leaf lettuce · spring-leaves

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

2027-08-08 to 2027-08-22

Arugula for young leaves · fall-leaves

Direct sow. Sow for leaves in cool weather; rapid flowering means the leaf crop is ending. Clear the preceding crop completely first.

Complete first: spring-leaves-1-clear.

From planting to clearing

Estimated cycles fit.

These are planning windows. Record what actually happens in your season journal; clear the space before starting the next crop.

spring-leaves · Leaf lettucePhase 1 · batch 1
  1. Sow2027-04-03 to 2027-04-17

    Avoid heat and bolting; sow only in workable soil. Plant only when the seed packet and local weather conditions agree.

  2. Seedlings2027-04-09 to 2027-05-01

    Mist the surface gently; small seeds must not be washed away. Thin toward 32 positions at 305 × 305 mm when true leaves appear. Keep stronger seedlings. Re-sow gaps only when temperatures and remaining season are suitable.

  3. Tend2027-04-10 to 2027-06-15

    Check the growing center and take small outer leaves without uprooting the plant. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.

  4. Harvest check2027-05-18 to 2027-07-07

    Pick usable outer leaves before bitterness or a flowering stalk develops. The 45–60-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.

  5. Clear / review2027-07-10 to 2027-07-10

    Remove spent plants and check the soil before a successor starts. 21 harvest days and 3 clearing days are planning allowances; actual crop condition decides the changeover. Record actual harvests or losses. Keep healthy perennial clumps if you are not reusing their space; revise the next planting accordingly.

fall-leaves · Arugula for young leavesPhase 2 · batch 1
  1. Sow2027-08-08 to 2027-08-22

    Sow for leaves in cool weather; rapid flowering means the leaf crop is ending. Clear the preceding crop completely first. Plant only when the seed packet and local weather conditions agree.

  2. Seedlings2027-08-11 to 2027-09-01

    Thin toward marked plants; this is a small-plant method, not broadcast microgreens. Thin toward 128 positions at 152 × 152 mm when true leaves appear. Keep stronger seedlings. Re-sow gaps only when temperatures and remaining season are suitable.

  3. Tend2027-08-15 to 2027-09-30

    Keep the center intact when taking outer leaves and watch for a flower stem. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.

  4. Harvest check2027-09-02 to 2027-10-14

    Cut usable young leaves; clear tough or flowering plants before a new sowing. The 25–40-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.

  5. Clear / review2027-10-14 to 2027-10-14

    Remove spent plants and check the soil before a successor starts. 14 harvest days and 3 clearing days are planning allowances; actual crop condition decides the changeover. Record actual harvests or losses. Keep healthy perennial clumps if you are not reusing their space; revise the next planting accordingly.

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 after a crop clears)128 each0 each128 each
Measuring tool1 each0 each1 each
Gentle watering tool1 each0 each1 each
Leaf lettuce · spring-leaves71 seeds0 seeds71 seeds
Arugula for young leaves · fall-leaves282 seeds0 seeds282 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 full season

29 weeks, through harvest checks and bed clearing. Check off each week as you work.

01Prepare and begin2027-04-01 — 2027-04-07To 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. Clear the spring lettuce when quality declines. Leave the bed unplanted through unsuitable conditions and restart only in the fall window.
  • spring-leaves (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Direct sow. Avoid heat and bolting; sow only in workable soil. Plant only when the seed packet and local weather conditions agree.
02Check, tend and act · week 22027-04-08 — 2027-04-14To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • spring-leaves (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Direct sow. Avoid heat and bolting; sow only in workable soil. Plant only when the seed packet and local weather conditions agree.
  • spring-leaves (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Check emergence and thin. Mist the surface gently; small seeds must not be washed away. Thin toward 32 positions at 305 × 305 mm when true leaves appear. Keep stronger seedlings. Re-sow gaps only when temperatures and remaining season are suitable.
  • spring-leaves (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Check the growing center and take small outer leaves without uprooting the plant. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
03Check, tend and act · week 32027-04-15 — 2027-04-21To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • spring-leaves (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Direct sow. Avoid heat and bolting; sow only in workable soil. Plant only when the seed packet and local weather conditions agree.
  • spring-leaves (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Check emergence and thin. Mist the surface gently; small seeds must not be washed away. Thin toward 32 positions at 305 × 305 mm when true leaves appear. Keep stronger seedlings. Re-sow gaps only when temperatures and remaining season are suitable.
  • spring-leaves (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Check the growing center and take small outer leaves without uprooting the plant. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
04Check, tend and act · week 42027-04-22 — 2027-04-28To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • spring-leaves (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Check emergence and thin. Mist the surface gently; small seeds must not be washed away. Thin toward 32 positions at 305 × 305 mm when true leaves appear. Keep stronger seedlings. Re-sow gaps only when temperatures and remaining season are suitable.
  • spring-leaves (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Check the growing center and take small outer leaves without uprooting the plant. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
  • Recount surviving plants before buying replacements. Check remaining seed, seedling and growing-mix inventory.
05Check, tend and act · week 52027-04-29 — 2027-05-05To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • spring-leaves (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Check emergence and thin. Mist the surface gently; small seeds must not be washed away. Thin toward 32 positions at 305 × 305 mm when true leaves appear. Keep stronger seedlings. Re-sow gaps only when temperatures and remaining season are suitable.
  • spring-leaves (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Check the growing center and take small outer leaves without uprooting the plant. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
06Check, tend and act · week 62027-05-06 — 2027-05-12To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • spring-leaves (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Check the growing center and take small outer leaves without uprooting the plant. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
07Check, tend and act · week 72027-05-13 — 2027-05-19To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • spring-leaves (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Check the growing center and take small outer leaves without uprooting the plant. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
  • spring-leaves (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Pick usable outer leaves before bitterness or a flowering stalk develops. The 45–60-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
08Check, tend and act · week 82027-05-20 — 2027-05-26To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • spring-leaves (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Check the growing center and take small outer leaves without uprooting the plant. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
  • spring-leaves (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Pick usable outer leaves before bitterness or a flowering stalk develops. The 45–60-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
  • Recount surviving plants before buying replacements. Check remaining seed, seedling and growing-mix inventory.
09Check, tend and act · week 92027-05-27 — 2027-06-02To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • spring-leaves (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Check the growing center and take small outer leaves without uprooting the plant. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
  • spring-leaves (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Pick usable outer leaves before bitterness or a flowering stalk develops. The 45–60-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
10Check, tend and act · week 102027-06-03 — 2027-06-09To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • spring-leaves (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Check the growing center and take small outer leaves without uprooting the plant. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
  • spring-leaves (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Pick usable outer leaves before bitterness or a flowering stalk develops. The 45–60-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
11Check, tend and act · week 112027-06-10 — 2027-06-16To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • spring-leaves (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Check the growing center and take small outer leaves without uprooting the plant. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
  • spring-leaves (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Pick usable outer leaves before bitterness or a flowering stalk develops. The 45–60-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
12Check, tend and act · week 122027-06-17 — 2027-06-23To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • spring-leaves (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Pick usable outer leaves before bitterness or a flowering stalk develops. The 45–60-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
  • Recount surviving plants before buying replacements. Check remaining seed, seedling and growing-mix inventory.
13Check, tend and act · week 132027-06-24 — 2027-06-30To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • spring-leaves (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Pick usable outer leaves before bitterness or a flowering stalk develops. The 45–60-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
14Check, tend and act · week 142027-07-01 — 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.
  • spring-leaves (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Pick usable outer leaves before bitterness or a flowering stalk develops. The 45–60-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
15Check, tend and act · week 152027-07-08 — 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.
  • spring-leaves (Leaf lettuce), batch 1: Clear and review the planting. Remove spent plants and check the soil before a successor starts. 21 harvest days and 3 clearing days are planning allowances; actual crop condition decides the changeover. Record actual harvests or losses. Keep healthy perennial clumps if you are not reusing their space; revise the next planting accordingly.
16Check, tend and act · week 162027-07-15 — 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.
  • Recount surviving plants before buying replacements. Check remaining seed, seedling and growing-mix inventory.
17Check, tend and act · week 172027-07-22 — 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.
  • Check the next dated stage, keep unused soil protected and record any actual harvest or crop loss before changing the plan.
18Check, tend and act · week 182027-07-29 — 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.
  • Check the next dated stage, keep unused soil protected and record any actual harvest or crop loss before changing the plan.
19Check, tend and act · week 192027-08-05 — 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.
  • fall-leaves (Arugula for young leaves), batch 1: Direct sow. Sow for leaves in cool weather; rapid flowering means the leaf crop is ending. Clear the preceding crop completely first. Plant only when the seed packet and local weather conditions agree.
  • fall-leaves (Arugula for young leaves), batch 1: Check emergence and thin. Thin toward marked plants; this is a small-plant method, not broadcast microgreens. Thin toward 128 positions at 152 × 152 mm when true leaves appear. Keep stronger seedlings. Re-sow gaps only when temperatures and remaining season are suitable.
20Check, tend and act · week 202027-08-12 — 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.
  • fall-leaves (Arugula for young leaves), batch 1: Direct sow. Sow for leaves in cool weather; rapid flowering means the leaf crop is ending. Clear the preceding crop completely first. Plant only when the seed packet and local weather conditions agree.
  • fall-leaves (Arugula for young leaves), batch 1: Check emergence and thin. Thin toward marked plants; this is a small-plant method, not broadcast microgreens. Thin toward 128 positions at 152 × 152 mm when true leaves appear. Keep stronger seedlings. Re-sow gaps only when temperatures and remaining season are suitable.
  • fall-leaves (Arugula for young leaves), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Keep the center intact when taking outer leaves and watch for a flower stem. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
  • Recount surviving plants before buying replacements. Check remaining seed, seedling and growing-mix inventory.
21Check, tend and act · week 212027-08-19 — 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.
  • fall-leaves (Arugula for young leaves), batch 1: Direct sow. Sow for leaves in cool weather; rapid flowering means the leaf crop is ending. Clear the preceding crop completely first. Plant only when the seed packet and local weather conditions agree.
  • fall-leaves (Arugula for young leaves), batch 1: Check emergence and thin. Thin toward marked plants; this is a small-plant method, not broadcast microgreens. Thin toward 128 positions at 152 × 152 mm when true leaves appear. Keep stronger seedlings. Re-sow gaps only when temperatures and remaining season are suitable.
  • fall-leaves (Arugula for young leaves), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Keep the center intact when taking outer leaves and watch for a flower stem. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
22Check, tend and act · week 222027-08-26 — 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.
  • fall-leaves (Arugula for young leaves), batch 1: Check emergence and thin. Thin toward marked plants; this is a small-plant method, not broadcast microgreens. Thin toward 128 positions at 152 × 152 mm when true leaves appear. Keep stronger seedlings. Re-sow gaps only when temperatures and remaining season are suitable.
  • fall-leaves (Arugula for young leaves), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Keep the center intact when taking outer leaves and watch for a flower stem. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
23Check, tend and act · week 232027-09-02 — 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.
  • fall-leaves (Arugula for young leaves), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Keep the center intact when taking outer leaves and watch for a flower stem. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
  • fall-leaves (Arugula for young leaves), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Cut usable young leaves; clear tough or flowering plants before a new sowing. The 25–40-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
24Check, tend and act · week 242027-09-09 — 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.
  • fall-leaves (Arugula for young leaves), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Keep the center intact when taking outer leaves and watch for a flower stem. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
  • fall-leaves (Arugula for young leaves), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Cut usable young leaves; clear tough or flowering plants before a new sowing. The 25–40-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
  • Recount surviving plants before buying replacements. Check remaining seed, seedling and growing-mix inventory.
25Check, tend and act · week 252027-09-16 — 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.
  • fall-leaves (Arugula for young leaves), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Keep the center intact when taking outer leaves and watch for a flower stem. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
  • fall-leaves (Arugula for young leaves), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Cut usable young leaves; clear tough or flowering plants before a new sowing. The 25–40-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
26Check, tend and act · week 262027-09-23 — 2027-09-29To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • fall-leaves (Arugula for young leaves), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Keep the center intact when taking outer leaves and watch for a flower stem. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
  • fall-leaves (Arugula for young leaves), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Cut usable young leaves; clear tough or flowering plants before a new sowing. The 25–40-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
27Check, tend and act · week 272027-09-30 — 2027-10-06To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • fall-leaves (Arugula for young leaves), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Keep the center intact when taking outer leaves and watch for a flower stem. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
  • fall-leaves (Arugula for young leaves), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Cut usable young leaves; clear tough or flowering plants before a new sowing. The 25–40-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
28Check, tend and act · week 282027-10-07 — 2027-10-13To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • fall-leaves (Arugula for young leaves), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Cut usable young leaves; clear tough or flowering plants before a new sowing. The 25–40-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
  • Recount surviving plants before buying replacements. Check remaining seed, seedling and growing-mix inventory.
29Finish and review the season2027-10-14 — 2027-10-20To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • fall-leaves (Arugula for young leaves), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Cut usable young leaves; clear tough or flowering plants before a new sowing. The 25–40-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
  • fall-leaves (Arugula for young leaves), batch 1: Clear and review the planting. Remove spent plants and check the soil before a successor starts. 14 harvest days and 3 clearing days are planning allowances; actual crop condition decides the changeover. Record actual harvests or losses. Keep healthy perennial clumps if you are not reusing their space; revise the next planting accordingly.
  • Review harvest and crop-loss records, clear or retain plants as appropriate, and update remaining stock before planning the next season.

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 planning choices, not germination or yield guarantees.
  • Dates are preparation windows, not forecasts. Confirm soil temperature, weather and actual crop stage.
  • First fall frost is a conservative planning boundary, including for hardy crops. Continuing beyond it needs suitable local guidance and protection.
  • Harvest and clearing durations are planning allowances. A successor waits for the final preceding batch to clear; actual crop progress may move those dates.

Fall plans use a 14-day buffer beyond estimated maturity. Successors wait for the final preceding batch, including its harvest allowance and clearing period. The lifecycle shows those crop-specific windows; the zone must actually be empty. 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 2026-10-13.
  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 2026-10-13.
  4. UMN Extension: Planting for fall harvestMaturity is a cultivar-dependent estimate; our extra 14-day fall buffer is an explicit planning assumption. Accessed 2026-10-13.
  5. UMD Extension: Salad greens to grow in salad tables or salad boxesArugula and kale are among suitable salad greens. Our arugula plan uses individually thinned young-leaf plants, not a dense broadcast seed rate. Accessed 2026-10-13.

Plan garden-41 · version 2 · calculation 2. Actual germination, harvest and local climate performance have not been field tested.

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