Topic: A yearly garden planting plan for the climate of Shiraz — cold winters with possible frost, hot and dry summers
A good garden is one that has something to plant and something to pick in every season. But every plant has its own season. A seed sown in the summer heat will not sprout, and a flower planted before frost will freeze. This calendar gives a seasonal planting plan for the climate of Shiraz, where winters get cold and summers are hot and dry. Exact frost dates differ a little every year, so match this calendar to the weather of that year.
Autumn (October to December): The Bulb-Planting Season — Now
Autumn is the most important garden-planting season, because spring bulbs must be in the soil before the cold, so they feel the cold and flower in spring:
- Spring bulbs: Plant tulips, narcissus, hyacinths, and ornamental saffron in October and November. Planting depth is usually 2 to 3 times the height of the bulb.
- Leafy greens: Spinach, lettuce, parsley, and coriander grow well in the cool autumn air.
- Pansy: The autumn and winter garden flower. It tolerates gentle cold.
- Garlic and onion: Plant edible garlic and onions in autumn, so you harvest them in spring.
- Note: After autumn planting, keep the soil moist so the bulbs root before the cold.
Winter (January to March): The Season of Rest and Protection
- Frost protection: Cover sensitive plants with mulch (a layer of straw or dry leaves) and move pots to a sheltered place.
- Pruning: Prune deciduous trees and shrubs during their winter sleep, in January and February. Pruning while dormant does not shock the plant.
- Planting: Fresh planting in winter is not advised, except for cold-hardy greens in a greenhouse.
- Planning: Winter is the best time to draw the spring garden plan and order seeds and bulbs.
Spring (April to June): The Main Planting Season
- After the frost: When the danger of night frost has passed (usually late March to April), start spring planting.
- Summer flowers: Plant petunias, marigolds, zinnias, and verbena in April and May.
- Vegetables: Plant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and cucumbers after the soil warms up. Planting earlier than that kills them in the spring cold.
- Lawn: Spring is the best time to sow lawn seed and repair an old lawn.
- Feeding: In spring, strengthen the garden soil with rotted manure, so plants start the growing season strongly.
Summer (July to September): The Season of Care and Watering
- Planting: In the summer heat, fresh planting rarely succeeds. Plant only heat-tolerant plants such as ornamental purslane and moss rose.
- Watering: Water early in the morning or in the evening. Watering at midday in summer evaporates and scorches the leaves.
- Mulch: Cover the garden soil with mulch, so moisture stays and weeds grow less.
- Harvest: Summer is the season for harvesting vegetables and summer flowers. Pick wilted flowers regularly, so flowering continues.
Seasonal Summary
| Season | What to plant? | What not to do? |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn | Spring bulbs, leafy greens, pansy, garlic and onion | Planting flowers sensitive to cold |
| Winter | Almost nothing; only protection and dormant pruning | Planting in frosty weather |
| Spring | Summer flowers, vegetables, lawn | Planting before the frost has passed |
| Summer | Heat-tolerant plants, care and harvest | Sowing tender seeds in the midday heat |
Three Common Seasonal Planting Mistakes
- Planting in the wrong season: The most common reason seeds and bulbs fail. Before planting, ask about the right season for that plant.
- Watering at summer midday: The water evaporates and the leaves scorch. Water early in the morning or in the evening.
- Forgetting mulch: Bare soil dries in heat and freezes in cold. Mulch is the cheapest insurance for a garden.