6.6 KiB
Planting Schedule Validation for 2026-2027
Climate Alignment Check
This document validates that all planting dates in garden-plan-2026.csv align with Western Zealand climate data from climate-data-western-zealand.md.
Climate Parameters (Reference)
- Last Spring Frost: April 20
- First Fall Frost: October 10
- Frost-Free Days: 173 days
- USDA Zone: 8a-8b
- Safe Greenhouse Start: Mid-March onward
Validation Results ✓
✅ Early Spring (March-April)
| Date | Activity | Crop | Climate Check | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-23 | Greenhouse Sow | Tomato | After mid-March safe start | ✓ SAFE |
| 2026-03-23 | Greenhouse Sow | Basil | After mid-March safe start | ✓ SAFE |
| 2026-04-13 | Direct Sow | Radicchio | Cold-hardy, before last frost OK | ✓ SAFE |
| 2026-04-13 | Direct Sow | Spinach | Cold-hardy, before last frost OK | ✓ SAFE |
| 2026-04-13 | Direct Sow | Peas | Cold-hardy, before last frost OK | ✓ SAFE |
| 2026-04-13 | Direct Sow | Carrots | Cold-hardy, before last frost OK | ✓ SAFE |
| 2026-04-13 | Direct Sow | Swiss Chard | Cold-hardy, before last frost OK | ✓ SAFE |
| 2026-04-13 | Transplant | Kale | Cold-hardy, before last frost OK | ✓ SAFE |
Analysis: All early spring sowings are appropriately timed. Greenhouse starts at March 23 provide ~6 weeks before transplant. Cold-hardy crops sown April 13 (1 week before last frost) is standard practice.
✅ Late Spring (May)
| Date | Activity | Crop | Climate Check | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-04 | Transplant | Tomato | 2 weeks after last frost | ✓ SAFE |
| 2026-05-04 | Transplant | Basil | 2 weeks after last frost | ✓ SAFE |
| 2026-05-04 | Direct Plant | Cornflower | After last frost | ✓ SAFE |
| 2026-05-04 | Direct Sow | Bush Beans | After last frost, soil warm | ✓ SAFE |
| 2026-05-04 | Direct Sow | Zucchini | After last frost, soil warm | ✓ SAFE |
| 2026-05-04 | Direct Plant | Tansy | After last frost | ✓ SAFE |
| 2026-05-04 | Direct Sow | Carrots | After last frost | ✓ SAFE |
| 2026-05-18 | Direct Plant | Winter Squash | Soil definitely warm | ✓ SAFE |
| 2026-05-18 | Direct Plant | Wild Carrot | After last frost | ✓ SAFE |
Analysis: Perfect timing. May 4 is 2 weeks after last frost (April 20), giving safety margin for late cold snaps. Warm-season crops have warm soil. Second wave on May 18 ensures soil temperature ideal for squash.
✅ Summer (June-August)
| Date | Activity | Crop | Climate Check | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-08 | Direct Sow | Bush Beans | Mid-season succession | ✓ SAFE |
| 2026-06-08 | Direct Sow | Swiss Chard | Mid-season succession | ✓ SAFE |
| 2026-07-06 | Direct Sow | Bush Beans | Late succession, 90+ days to frost | ✓ SAFE |
| 2026-07-06 | Direct Sow | Carrots | 90+ days to frost | ✓ SAFE |
| 2026-07-27 | Direct Sow | Kale (winter) | For fall/winter harvest | ✓ SAFE |
| 2026-07-27 | Direct Sow | Swiss Chard | For fall/winter harvest | ✓ SAFE |
Analysis: Succession plantings properly spaced. July 27 plantings for winter crops give 11 weeks before frost - adequate for kale/chard to establish before cold weather. Bush beans on July 6 have 96 days to October 10 first frost (beans need 50-60 days).
✅ Fall (September-November)
| Date | Activity | Crop | Climate Check | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-05 | Direct Plant | Garlic | Traditional October planting | ✓ SAFE |
| 2026-10-26 | Direct Sow | Broad Beans | Overwinter variety, before hard freeze | ✓ SAFE |
| 2026-11-09 | Mulch | All beds | After first frost, before hard freeze | ✓ SAFE |
Analysis: Excellent timing. Garlic planted early October gets 4-6 weeks to establish roots before hard freeze. Broad beans (Aquadulce Claudia is overwinter variety) planted late October is standard for Zone 8. Mulching November 9 is 1 month after first frost - perfect.
✅ Summer Harvest (2027)
| Date | Activity | Crop | Climate Check | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027-06-21 | Harvest | Garlic | 8.5 months after planting | ✓ OPTIMAL |
| 2027-06-21 | Direct Sow | Bush Beans | Replacing harvested garlic | ✓ SAFE |
Analysis: Garlic harvest in late June is perfect timing (planted Oct 5, harvested Jun 21 = 259 days). Immediate replanting with beans maximizes bed use and provides late summer harvest.
Summary
Overall Assessment: EXCELLENT ✓
All planting dates align perfectly with Western Zealand climate data:
- Frost Safety: All frost-sensitive crops planted after April 20 last frost date
- Cold-Hardy Timing: Cold-hardy crops appropriately started in early-mid April
- Succession Spacing: Bean and carrot successions well-timed for continuous harvest
- Fall Preparation: Winter crops started with adequate time before frost
- Overwinter Crops: Garlic and broad beans planted at optimal times for Zone 8
- Season Extension: Proper use of greenhouse starting in March
Climate Trends Consideration
Given the warming trend (warmest March/April in 10+ years), the schedule is:
- Conservative: Using April 20 last frost maintains safety margin
- Adaptable: If last frost shifts to April 15, transplants on May 4 still appropriate
- Flexible: Greenhouse starts in late March allow earlier transplanting if weather permits
Risk Factors: MINIMAL
- Late frost risk: May 4 transplants have 2-week buffer
- Early frost risk: Fall crops harvested before October 10 or are frost-tolerant
- Heat stress risk: Tomatoes may need shade if extreme heat continues (>30°C)
- Overwintering risk: Broad beans and garlic are appropriate for Zone 8 winters
Recommendations
- Monitor: Track actual 2026 last frost date to refine 2027 schedule
- Row covers: Keep available for May 1-15 in case of late cold snap
- Shade cloth: Consider for tomatoes if July temperatures exceed 32°C
- Documentation: Note harvest dates in 2026 to validate timing for 2027
Climate Data Sources
All validations based on:
climate-data-western-zealand.md(Last frost: Apr 20, First frost: Oct 10)- When to Plant Vegetables in Copenhagen - Garden.org
- Denmark Hardiness Zones - PlantMaps
- Growing Vegetables In Denmark - GardeningTips.in
Validated: January 2026 Next validation: January 2027 (after observing actual 2026 frost dates)