What Do You Want To Grow in Your Garden?

Choose a Garden Goal

To maximize the use of available growing space, it is helpful to choose an objective for the garden or farm at the onset. Ask what is most important:

1. Growing an abundance
2. Growing to learn
3. Growing for aesthetics
4. Growing for variety

Choosing the primary goal will help guide decisions when creating a crop map after completing a site analysis at the initial consultation. Feeling like you need more help? Green City Growers can help to install and maintain your own urban farm!

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Crop Planting Schedule For MA & The Northeast

Massachusetts is in zone 6 on the plant hardiness chart, and plenty of edible plant varieties thrive in this climate. The planting schedule for zone 6 determines what you can grow when, encapsulated by the last frost date (in the spring) and first frost date (in the fall), unless using season extension like cold frames. Download a printer-friendly Planting Schedule.

Your start date determines what you can plant. If you have cold frames, you can begin planting your spring crops in March.
*Starred crops can grow well in as low as 4 1/2hrs of sunlight.

Perennial Herbs

• *Chives
• *Garlic
• *Lavender
• *^Lemon Balm
• *Marjoram
• *^Mint
• *^Oregano
• *Rosemary
• *Sage
• *Tarragon
• *Thyme
• *Savory
• *Stevia

Edible Flowers

• *Begonia
• Calendula
• Chamomile
• Echinacea
• *Nasturtium
• Sunflowers
• *Violas (Pansies)
• Marigold (Ornamental)
• *Snapdragon (Ornamental)
• Zinnia (Ornamental)

*Starred crops can grow well in low light gardens with 4 or more hours of sunlight.
^These are spreading herbs and can take over the bed if allowed. Separate containers are recommended.

Perennial herbs will likely come back each year. However some are particularly sensitive to cold and may need to be protected for the winter (insulated or brought indoors). Some edible flower varieties may be used for salads, garnish, infusions, or for their seeds. All flowers attract beneficial insects.

Interested in Fruit?

Green City Growers offers a number of options for incorporating fruit into your raised bed or in-ground garden. Fruit Offerings include bare root and potted fruit trees, and a number of berry bushes. For more information on the unique requirements necessary for a successful backyard orchard, make sure to visit our page on fruit!

Berry Bushes

• Blueberry (Highbush)
• Raspberry (Yellow, Red or Black)
• Blackberry (Thorny or Thornless)
• Strawberry

Fruit Trees

• Apple
• Pear
• Cherry
• Apricot
• Peach
• Plum