What is Succession Planting and How do I Do It?

What is Succession Planting?

Succession planting is simply staggering crops so you are not harvesting all at the same time, but instead have a continuous yield. This can help with going from having too many tomatoes to none at all, and having to wait a month or more for the next plant to yield its fruits.  

Don't want that much cilantro all at once? Try succession planting.

How to succession plant in a VerdeGarden?

1. Look at your seed package for a maturity date

The maturity date is the approximate number of days it takes for a plant to grow from seed to harvest, this can vary due to climate, quality of seed and proper nutrients, but it's a good starting point. For example, you may have some varieties of lettuce with a maturity date of 45 days, and others as long as 65 days. With hydroponic growing, the maturity date is shortened due to the plant not needing to establish complex roots that can source out nutrients in soil. 

If you are using Green Thumb Technology's organic and heirloom seeds, simply follow the maturity date provided on the seed packaging. If you are using your own seeds, subtract 2 weeks from the maturity date provided. 

2. Plant your first crop

Plant your first crop by placing seeds in the coco coir seeds sprouters, and then place in the pot with recycled glass. Place the pot in your VerdeGarden and mark the date on your calendar to refer back to later. For example, plant your first cilantro seeds, and save some for later. 

3. Plant your succession crop

Wait 2-3 weeks before planting your next crop. Now plant your next crop of cilantro and mark again on the calendar. You can continue this process for as many crops as you would like, 2, 3, 4, 5...

4. Harvest your first crop

Start harvesting your first crop once it is ready, and again mark the date you started harvesting. Many herbs and greens will continue to produce a yield if you only harvest 1/3 of the plant at a time. 

5. Harvest your second crop

As above, and perhaps now you have fully harvested your first crop and are planting more seeds.

6. Check your calendar and make adjustments if needed

Now you can check you calendar and see if you need to make any adjustments to your succession crop. Did you have a gap in between your first and second crop? Then reduce the time in between planting your first and second seeds. Not enough of a gap between crops? Increase the time between planting. 

Useful Tips

Tiip1

There are some things you should keep in mind when succession planting. Different varieties of tomatoes, for example, will grow at different rates, so be sure to check each varieties specific maturity date. 

Tip 2

Some seeds will just out preform others, so may grow faster or bigger than your other plant of the same variety. That's ok, it's just good to know. Gardening is a blend of an art and a science, it does not always produce the exact same outcome, but that is part of the fun!

Tip 3

Your succession planting and maturity dates may vary with the seasons. Is your home hotter in the summer than the winter? Expect plants to mature quicker in a warm house vs. a cold house... unless they are cold-loving plants of course. Humidity levels in your house will also affect the maturity date. 

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