Welp, it’s officially mid-summer. The sun is hot, the days are long, and local farmers markets are ripe for the picking. While you can head out and buy produce any day of the week, there are many benefits to growing your own fruits + veggies – and no, you don’t need a green thumb or a backyard.

In addition to having all of your salad fixings on hand, gardening is actually considered moderate exercise. Don’t believe it? Head over to your local gardening center, load a few 50 lb. bags of topsoil into your trunk + think of us while you’re wiping the sweat from your brow. 😅 Gardening gets your muscles moving, can be a form of stress relief, helps with hand strength + dexterity, supports immune regulation, and has even been found to have therapeutic benefits + alleviate depression. No wonder Old McDonald always seemed so cheerful.

Whether you live in an apartment downtown or have a backyard in the suburbs, we have the ways for you to garden right at home.

Whether you’re planting in the ground of your backyard, or in pots on your downtown balcony, the first thing you want to consider is the first + last frost dates for the year in your growing zone. Why? If you plant too early in the spring, you risk killing your seedlings. If you don’t plant at least 8 weeks before the last frost date, you may end up with a late harvest, or potentially be wiped out by a surprise early frost. Based on the North Carolina Last & First Frost Dates, the first frost of this year in Zone 7 is Oct. 23, while the last frost for 2018 was April 9 (but to be safe, hold off until after Mother's Day).

View the guide below to learn more about what to plant + when. (Pro-tip: You still have time this season for lettuce, kale, peas + spinach.)

* Indicates veggies which are are great plants to grow in pots if you do not have a backyard

Vegetables

🌱Beets

Start your seeds: August

Plant outdoors: Late-September

Harvest: October

🌱Broccoli

Start your seeds: Early August

Plant outdoors: Late September

Harvest: Mid-November

🌱Cabbage*

Start your seeds: Mid-July

Plant outdoors: September

Harvest: Late October

🌱Carrots

Start your seeds: Early August

Plant outdoors: September

Harvest: Late October

🌱Cauliflower

Start your seeds: Early August

Plant outdoors: October

Harvest: Mid-November

🌱Cucumber*

Start your seeds: Direct Sow

Plant outdoors: July

Harvest: Late August

🌱Beans

Start your seeds: April

Plant outdoors: July

Harvest: Late September

🌱Kale*

Start your seeds: Early August

Plant outdoors: Mid-October

Harvest: Early November

🌱Lettuce*

Start your seeds: Early August

Plant outdoors: Mid-September

Harvest: Late October

🌱Onions

Start your seeds: Early March

Plant outdoors: June

Harvest: August

🌱Peas*

Start your seeds: Mid-August

Plant outdoors: Mid-October

Harvest: Early to Mid-November

🌱Peppers*

Start your seeds: Early March

Plant outdoors: June

Harvest: Late September

🌱Brussel Sprouts

Start your seeds: Mid to Late April

Plant outdoors: July

Harvest: Mid-September

🌱Spinach*

Start your seeds: Early August

Plant outdoors: Early October

Harvest: Mid-November

🌱Squash*

Start your seeds: Early May

Plant outdoors: July

Harvest: Early to Mid-October

🌱Tomato*

Start your seeds: Early March

Plant outdoors: July

Harvest: Late September

Fruit

Fruit trees that do best in WNC are:

🍎 Apple

🍐 Pear

🍒 Cherry

Here is a list of WNC fruit + nut tree experts for more information.

A few things to keep in mind:

For most plants, you should start your seeds indoors. You can do this by using small pots or even an empty egg carton with some soil.
Check your hardiness zone to understand which plants will thrive in your specific climate.

And, for all of you who are now inspired, here are a few garden stores to get started –

Roses Garden Shop 📍211 Charlotte St.

Jesse Israel & Sons Garden Center 📍 570 Brevard Rd.

Fifth Season Asheville Market 📍4 S. Tunnel Rd. #450

B. B. Barns Garden Center 📍337 Sweeten Creek Rd.

The Gardener’s Cottage 📍34 All Souls Crescent

Villagers 📍278 Haywood Rd.

Thyme In The Garden 📍190 Weaverville Rd.

How is your summer haul going? We can’t wait to hear. Tag us in your gardening photos with #AVLtoday + comment below with your latest wins, tips + tricks.

–Audra