Succession Planting Calculator & Chart
Plan continuous harvests all season long with our free succession planting schedule for Canadian gardens.
Try Free CalculatorWhat is Succession Planting?
Succession planting is a garden planning strategy where you sow the same crop at staggered intervals throughout the growing season. Instead of planting 30 lettuce heads in April and harvesting them all at once in June, you plant a small batch every week or two for a continuous supply of fresh greens from spring through fall.
This technique is essential for Canadian gardeners who want to make the most of a limited growing season. By staggering your plantings, you avoid the feast-or-famine cycle where your garden produces more than you can eat for two weeks, then nothing at all.
Succession planting works best with fast-maturing crops like lettuce, radishes, spinach, and bush beans. Crops that produce continuously over a long period, such as tomatoes and peppers, are typically planted once and harvested throughout the season.
Succession Planting Chart
Recommended planting intervals for 15 popular Canadian garden vegetables
| Crop | Planting Interval | Method | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lettuce | Every 7 days | Direct Seed / Transplant | Cool |
| Radish | Every 7 days | Direct Seed | Cool |
| Spinach | Every 10 days | Direct Seed | Cool |
| Arugula | Every 10 days | Direct Seed | Cool |
| Cilantro | Every 10 days | Direct Seed | Cool |
| Basil | Every 14 days | Transplant | Warm |
| Bush Beans | Every 14 days | Direct Seed | Warm |
| Peas | Every 14 days | Direct Seed | Cool |
| Carrots | Every 14 days | Direct Seed | Cool |
| Beets | Every 14 days | Direct Seed | Cool |
| Kale | Every 21 days | Direct Seed / Transplant | Cool |
| Swiss Chard | Every 21 days | Direct Seed / Transplant | Cool/Warm |
| Broccoli | Every 21 days | Transplant | Cool |
| Cucumbers | Every 21 days | Direct Seed / Transplant | Warm |
| Summer Squash | Every 30 days | Direct Seed / Transplant | Warm |
How It Works in Our Planner
Choose Your Crops
Select from 38+ vegetables in our crop database, each with Canadian-specific growing data and timing.
Set Succession Intervals
Define how many plantings you want and the interval between each. Our planner calculates all the dates automatically.
Get Your Full Schedule
See seed starting, transplanting, and harvest dates for every planting on a visual timeline. Export to calendar or CSV.
Benefits of Succession Planting
Continuous Harvest
Enjoy fresh vegetables every week instead of a single overwhelming harvest. No more wasted produce or empty garden beds.
Maximize Space
Keep every square foot of your garden productive all season. As one crop finishes, the next planting is already growing.
Reduce Waste
Harvest only what you need each week. Smaller, staggered plantings mean less food going to waste and more going to your table.
Extend Your Season
Late-season plantings of cold-hardy crops give you fresh produce well into fall, stretching your Canadian growing season.
Succession Planting FAQ
What is succession planting?
Succession planting is the practice of sowing the same crop at regular intervals throughout the growing season. Instead of planting all your lettuce at once and harvesting it all at once, you plant a new batch every 7-14 days to ensure a continuous supply of fresh vegetables throughout the season.
How often should I succession plant?
Planting intervals vary by crop. Fast-growing greens like lettuce and radishes benefit from weekly sowings. Medium crops like beans and carrots do best with 14-day intervals. Slower crops like broccoli and kale need 21-day spacing between plantings.
Which vegetables are best for succession planting?
The best candidates are fast-maturing crops that you want a continuous supply of: lettuce, radishes, spinach, arugula, cilantro, bush beans, and carrots. Crops like tomatoes and peppers are typically planted once since they produce continuously over a long period.
When should I stop succession planting in Canada?
Stop succession planting when there is not enough time for the crop to mature before your first fall frost. Count backwards from your first frost date using the crop maturity time. For example, if lettuce takes 45 days and your first frost is September 20, your last planting should be around August 5.
Can I succession plant in raised beds or containers?
Yes. Succession planting works in any growing setup, including raised beds, containers, and in-ground gardens. In smaller spaces, it is especially valuable because it maximizes your harvest from limited area throughout the season.
Plan Your Succession Planting Schedule
Our free calculator generates exact planting dates based on your frost date. Try it now, or sign up for the full planner with succession planting built in.
Explore More Resources
Planting Dates by Province
Province-specific planting dates, zones, and growing tips for all 10 provinces.
US State Planting Dates
USDA zones, frost dates, and growing tips for all 50 US states.
Frost Dates Canada
Find your last spring frost and first fall frost dates by province.
When to Plant Vegetables
19 popular crops with timing, frost tolerance, and Canadian tips.
Free Calculator
Calculate exact planting dates based on your location and frost dates.