Spinach

Size: 10 to 12 inches

Sunlight requirements: Full sun (A minimum of four to six hours is ideal.)

Water requirements: About 1 inch per week—excessive water or delayed harvest may result in the heads splitting or cracking.

Soil requirements: Average, well-drained garden soil rich in organic matter. Optimum pH is 6.5.

When to plant: Transplant seedlings March through May so heads mature before hot weather arrives. Second plantings of autumn-maturing types can occur from late May through early July.

Where to plant: Garden (full-sized varieties); containers (miniature varieties)

When to harvest: 50 to 70 days after seeding, when heads are firm. Delayed harvest may result in splitting.

Produce storage: Store spring-grown cabbage for 4 to 8 weeks in the refrigerator. Store late-season varieties in very high humidity just above freezing for several months.

Size: 18 to 30 inches

Sunlight requirements: Full sun (A minimum of six hours is ideal.)

Water requirements: About 1 inch per week

Soil requirements: Average, well-drained garden soil high in organic matter. Excessive nitrogen levels will result in excess foliage at the expense of broccoli flower heads.

When to plant: Plant early. Broccoli is not tolerant of heat and will flower quickly when the weather gets warm. Transplant seedlings mid-March through mid-April, or direct-seed April through mid-summer (for fall harvests).

Where to plant: Garden; containers (5-gallon minimum)

When to harvest: 55 to 80 days after seeding, depending on variety. Harvest main head before flower buds open. Harvest small side shoots throughout the season.

Produce storage: Store in plastic bags in high humidity at 40 degrees F for two to three weeks.

Size: 12 to 18 inches

Sunlight requirements: Full sun (A minimum of six hours is ideal.)

Water requirements: About 1 inch per week

Soil requirements: Average, well-drained garden soil, high in organic matter. Excessive nitrogen levels will result in excess foliage at the expense of good head formation and a condition called hollow stem.

When to plant: Transplant seedlings mid-March through May for early production. Autumn harvests should be planted in June and July.

Where to plant: Garden; containers (5-gallon minimum)

When to harvest: 50 to 90 days after seeding, depending on the variety. Self-blanching varieties don’t have to be covered, but gather and fasten foliage of those that aren’t with a clothes pin when the flower curds are 1 to 2 inches across. This blanches the heads to a pure white. Expect to harvest about 2 weeks after beginning the blanching process. To harvest, cut heads along with 2 or 3 protecting leaves when white and rice-like. Over-mature cauliflower may split.

Produce storage: Store in plastic bags in high humidity at 40 degrees F for two to three weeks.

Size: 12 to 24 inches

Sunlight requirements: Full sun (A minimum of six hours is ideal.)

Water requirements: About 1 inch per week

Soil requirements: Moderately rich, fertile soil

When to plant: Direct-seed when soil temperatures range between 55 and 70 degrees F. May be grown through the winter in all but the northern-most climates.

Where to plant: Garden; containers

When to harvest: 50 to 60 days after seeding. Harvest outermost leaves to allow for longer production.

Produce storage: Store unwashed in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Use within two to three days of harvest.

Size: Bulb weight is 2 to 8 ounces, depending on variety.

Sunlight requirements: Full sun

Water requirements: About 1 inch per week

Soil requirements: Fertile, well-drained, slightly acidic soil rich in organic matter; heavily mulch to prevent heaving.

When to plant: Plant bulbs in fall, around the first frost through November.

Where to plant: Garden

When to harvest: Summer, when bottom leaves have yellowed or tops turn brown. Dig up using a spading fork.

Produce storage: Dry in a dark, airy place. Store braided or topped in a near-freezing, high-humidity area for five to eight months.

Size: 12 to 30 inches (depending on variety)

Sunlight requirements: Full sun (A minimum of six hours is ideal.)

Water requirements: About 1 inch per week—herbs in containers need more moisture.

Soil requirements: Well-drained soil that isn’t heavily fertilized

When to plant: Direct-seed, or start seeds indoors and transplant after danger of frost has passed.

Where to plant: Garden; containers

When to harvest: 30 to 100 days after planting (depending on variety)

Produce storage: Store in temperatures above 50 degrees F. Store in a cool, dark space, or freeze in airtight containers for six to eight months.

Size: 8 to 24 inches

Sunlight requirements: Full sun

Water requirements: About 1 inch per week—herbs in containers need more moisture.

Soil requirements: Well-drained soil that isn’t heavily fertilized

When to plant: Start seeds early indoors, or direct-seed in early spring.

Where to plant: Garden; containers

When to harvest: 80 to 90 days after planting

Produce storage: Store in a cool, dark space, or freeze in airtight containers for six to eight months.

Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean, Portugal and Spain. It’s an herb with a minty, piney aroma. In addition to being used in the kitchen for salads or to season poultry, fish or pasta dishes, rosemary has been used in tea to treat headaches, poor circulation, depression and muscle cramps. Here are some basic facts about rosemary.

Size: 18 to 60 inches

Sunlight requirements: Full sun

Water requirements: About 1 inch per week—herbs in containers need more moisture.

Soil requirements: Well-drained, alkaline soil that isn’t heavily fertilized.

When to plant: Start seeds early indoors, or direct-seed in early spring. (Plants tolerate slight frost.)

Where to plant: Garden; containers.

When to harvest: 80 to 100 days after planting for stem tips; 120 to 180 days after planting for bunches; harvest before plant flowers for best taste.

Produce storage: Dry in bunches in a dark, dry area. Store in a cool, dark space, or freeze in airtight containers for six to eight months.