🌱My Garden Planner

🧮 Garden Calculator: Perfect Planting Dates Made Simple

The Garden Calculator is My Garden Planner's free tool that helps you determine optimal planting dates by working backwards from your desired harvest date. No sign-up required, free forever.

📋 Overview

The Garden Calculator transforms the guesswork out of garden planning by using precise backwards planning calculations. Simply tell us when you want to harvest, and we'll calculate exactly when to start seeds, when to transplant, and how many plants you'll need.

What the Calculator Does

  • Works backwards from your target harvest date
  • Calculates seed starting dates for indoor starts
  • Determines transplant dates for moving seedlings outdoors
  • Provides direct sowing dates for crops planted directly in the garden
  • Calculates plant quantities based on your bed size
  • Includes 30% buffer for seed starting to account for losses

🚀 Getting Started

Step 1: Access the Calculator

Navigate to the Garden Calculator - no account needed!

Key Benefits:

  • ✅ Free Forever - No subscription required
  • ✅ No Sign-up Required - Start planning immediately
  • ✅ Seed to Harvest Planning - Complete growing timeline

Step 2: Choose Your Crop

Select from 38+ available crops organized by category:

Available Categories:

  • Brassicas: Kale, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, radishes
  • Greens: Lettuce, spinach, arugula, chard, bok choy
  • Nightshades: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant
  • Herbs: Basil, parsley, cilantro, oregano, dill
  • Legumes: Beans, peas, snow peas
  • Root Vegetables: Carrots, beets, turnips, kohlrabi
  • Alliums: Onions, garlic, leeks, scallions
  • Cucurbits: Cucumbers, squash, zucchini, melons

Calculator crop selection dropdown showing categories and individual crops

Step 3: Set Your Harvest Date

Pick when you want to harvest your crop. The calculator works backwards from this date to determine all previous planting activities.

Tips for Choosing Harvest Dates:

  • Consider your local frost dates
  • Plan for when you'll actually use the harvest
  • Account for vacation time or busy periods
  • Think about succession plantings for continuous harvest

Step 4: Enter Your Bed Length

Specify the length of your growing bed in feet. The calculator assumes the standard 30-inch (2.5-foot) width optimized for biointensive growing methods.

Standard Configurations:

  • Small Gardens: 10-15 foot beds
  • Medium Gardens: 20-25 foot beds
  • Large Gardens: 30+ foot beds

📊 Understanding Your Results

Planting Timeline

The calculator provides a complete timeline working backwards from harvest:

Seed Starting Date

  • When to start seeds indoors (for transplant crops)
  • Accounts for days needed in seed cells/trays
  • Includes time for seedling development

Transplant Date

  • When to move seedlings from indoors to garden
  • Based on crop-specific transplant timing
  • Considers frost sensitivity and hardening off period

Direct Sow Date

  • Alternative to transplanting for direct-sown crops
  • When to plant seeds directly in the garden bed
  • Calculated from crop maturity days

Harvest Window

  • Start date for harvest period
  • Expected duration of harvest (varies by crop)
  • When the bed becomes available again

Results display showing complete timeline with dates and icons

Plant Quantities

The calculator determines exactly how many plants you need:

Calculations Include:

  • Plants needed for your bed length
  • Seeds required with 30% buffer for losses
  • Number of seed flats needed (for transplants)
  • Expected yield estimate

Space Optimization:

  • Based on proper crop spacing requirements
  • Maximizes yield per square foot
  • Follows biointensive planting densities

Plant quantities results showing numbers and explanations

🔄 Free vs Premium Features

Free Calculator Features

What's Included:

  • Single crop calculations
  • Complete planting timeline
  • Plant quantity calculations
  • Unlimited calculations (with usage prompts after 3)
  • All 38+ crops available

Limitations:

  • One crop at a time
  • Results not saved
  • No succession planting automation
  • No bed assignment optimization

Premium Upgrade Benefits

After 3 free calculations, you'll see upgrade prompts highlighting premium features:

Season Planner ($9/month):

  • Multi-crop season planning
  • Succession planting automation
  • Save and manage multiple plans
  • Bed assignment optimization
  • Export capabilities

Market Gardener ($29/month):

  • Unlimited beds for commercial growing
  • Multi-plot management
  • Standardized planting/harvest schedules
  • Advanced analytics and reporting

💡 Pro Tips for Best Results

Timing Considerations

Frost Date Awareness:

  • Calculator provides estimates - always check local conditions
  • Have row covers ready for unexpected weather
  • Consider microclimates in your garden

Succession Planning:

  • Use calculator multiple times with different harvest dates
  • Stagger plantings every 1-2 weeks for continuous harvest
  • Plan for peak season preservation needs

Crop Selection Tips

Beginner-Friendly Crops:

  • Start with quick-growing crops (lettuce, radishes, herbs)
  • Choose heat/cold tolerant varieties for your region
  • Pick crops your family actually enjoys eating

Advanced Planning:

  • Mix short and long-season crops for efficient bed use
  • Consider companion planting relationships
  • Plan for crop rotation between seasons

Maximizing Yields

Proper Spacing:

  • Trust the calculator's spacing recommendations
  • Don't overcrowd - it reduces yields and increases pest issues
  • Consider vertical growing for vining crops

Soil Preparation:

  • Start bed preparation 2-4 weeks before planting
  • Ensure soil temperature is appropriate for your crops
  • Have compost and amendments ready

🔧 Troubleshooting Common Issues

Date Calculation Problems

Issue: Seed start date is before current date Solution: Choose a later harvest date or select a quicker-maturing variety

Issue: Transplant date conflicts with frost risk
Solution: Use row covers, choose cold-hardy varieties, or adjust timing

Issue: Harvest date seems too late for your climate Solution: Check your local frost dates and adjust accordingly

Quantity Calculations

Issue: Too many plants calculated Solution: Reduce bed length or choose lower-density crops

Issue: Seed flat numbers seem high Solution: Consider direct sowing or sharing flats with other gardeners

Issue: Expected yield seems low Solution: Verify bed measurements and spacing - intensive planting increases yields

Browser and Technical Issues

Issue: Calculator not loading properly Solution: Try refreshing page, clear browser cache, or try different browser

Issue: Results not displaying Solution: Ensure all required fields are filled out correctly

Issue: Date picker not working Solution: Try typing dates manually in MM/DD/YYYY format

🎯 Advanced Calculator Techniques

Succession Planting Strategy

Use the calculator multiple times to plan succession plantings:

Example: Lettuce Every 2 Weeks

  • First harvest: June 1st
  • Second harvest: June 15th
  • Third harvest: June 29th
  • Continue pattern through growing season

Benefits:

  • Continuous fresh harvest
  • Prevents overwhelming harvests
  • Extends season productivity

Crop Rotation Planning

Use calculator results to plan crop rotations:

Spring to Summer Transition:

  • Spring: Cool season crops (lettuce, peas)
  • Summer: Warm season crops (tomatoes, peppers)
  • Fall: Cool season crops return

Soil Health Benefits:

  • Different nutrients used/restored
  • Pest and disease cycle disruption
  • Improved soil structure over time

Companion Planting Integration

Coordinate planting dates for companion crops:

Classic Combinations:

  • Tomatoes + Basil: Coordinate transplant dates
  • Lettuce + Radishes: Stagger for space optimization
  • Beans + Corn + Squash: Traditional "Three Sisters" timing