How Do I Choose What to Grow?

Hardiness zone - Check the hardiness zone for your location and what's in season. Northeast Ohio is in zone 5, which means our average annual low ranges from -10° to -20° and our frost free period is generally from April 21 to November 2.

Personal preferences - Different plants require different time, space, maintenance and expense and result in different sized produce with different taste profiles. You may prefer a plant that is hardier over one that produces sweeter fruit or larger sizes.

Check out the growing fact sheets below, which contain growing instructions and tips for selecting varieties, for the fruits, vegetables and other plants.

Herbs and Garlic	Fruit	Lettuce and Greens
basil cilantro dill garlic lemon balm lemongrass mint tarragon	apples blueberries grapes peaches nectarines plums raspberries strawberries watermelon	chard collards endive/escarole kale lettuce mustard greens spinach
Root Vegetables	Other Vegetables
beets carrots onions parsnips potatoes potatoes, sweet radishes rutabagas turnips	asparagus beans, snap bok choy broccoli brussels sprouts cabbage cauliflower celery corn cucumbers	eggplant kohlrabi leeks okra peas peppers pumpkins rhubarb squash tomatoes

   Resources
   Vegetable Varieties Directory
   Vegetable Directory
   Garden Planning Calculator
   Companion Planting
   Succession Planting
   Vegetable Planting Guide
   Fruit Planting Guide
   Home Gardener's Guide
   Container Gardening

   OSU Extension's
   Ask a Master Gardener
   Backyard Gardening Primer
   Vegetable Production Guide