Succession Planting for Beginners
Imagine harvesting fresh lettuce every week from March through November, or picking beans continuously from June through September, instead of getting overwhelmed by a massive harvest all at once then nothing.
That's succession planting: staggering plantings over time for continuous harvests instead of one big glut.
In Santa Cruz County's year-round growing season, succession planting is especially valuable. We can grow cool-season crops almost continuously by planting every 2 to 3 weeks, and our long warm season allows multiple plantings of summer crops.
This guide explains what succession planting is, why it matters, which crops benefit most, and how to do it simply without overcomplicating your garden.
What Is Succession Planting?
Succession planting means planting the same crop multiple times throughout the season, spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart, rather than planting everything at once.
Example without succession planting:
Plant 20 lettuce seedlings in March
All 20 mature in May
Harvest all 20 over 2 weeks
Get tired of lettuce salads
Lettuce bolts, you pull it
No lettuce June through February
Example with succession planting:
Plant 5 lettuce seedlings every 2 weeks from March through May
Harvest 5 plants every 2 weeks from May through July
Manageable amounts, fresh lettuce for months
Plant again in August, harvest through winter
Why Succession Planting Matters
Continuous harvests instead of feast-or-famine. Eat fresh vegetables steadily, not all at once.
Reduces waste. A dozen zucchinis ripening the same week means giving most away or composting them. Two or three per week is perfect.
Extends the season. Santa Cruz's mild climate lets us grow cool-season crops almost year-round with succession planting.
Spreads out garden work. Instead of planting everything one weekend in March then being overwhelmed in June, you plant a little every 2 weeks. Manageable.
Reduces risk. If one planting fails (pests, disease, bad weather), you have other plantings coming along.
Best Crops for Succession Planting
Excellent for Succession
Lettuce: Plant every 2 weeks, year-round (coast) or spring and fall (inland).
Radishes: Plant every 2 weeks spring and fall. Ready in 3 to 4 weeks.
Beans (bush): Plant every 3 weeks from late April through July. Each planting produces for 3 to 4 weeks.
Carrots: Plant every 3 to 4 weeks spring and fall.
Beets: Plant every 3 to 4 weeks spring and fall.
Arugula: Plant every 2 weeks, almost year-round.
Cilantro: Plant every 2 to 3 weeks fall through spring (bolts quickly in heat).
Summer squash (zucchini): Plant every 3 to 4 weeks May through July. Each plant produces heavily for 6 to 8 weeks then slows.
Sometimes Worth Succession Planting
Basil: Start new plants every 4 weeks through summer for continuous fresh leaves.
Spinach: Every 2 to 3 weeks fall through spring.
Chard: Doesn't need succession (produces for months from one planting), but you can start new plants every 6 to 8 weeks for continuous young, tender leaves.
Cucumbers: Every 3 to 4 weeks May through July if you want continuous production without overwhelm.
Don't Bother with Succession
Tomatoes: Long season (July through October from one planting). No need for succession.
Peppers: Same as tomatoes.
Kale: Produces for months from one planting.
Broccoli, cabbage: Succession planting works but timing is tricky. Most gardeners plant once in spring, once in late summer.
Winter squash, pumpkins: Long-season crops, one planting is enough.
How to Succession Plant (Simple Method)
Step 1: Choose Your Crop and Interval
Fast crops (lettuce, radishes, arugula): Plant every 2 weeks
Medium crops (beans, carrots, beets): Plant every 3 to 4 weeks
Slow crops (summer squash, cucumbers): Plant every 4 weeks
Step 2: Calculate How Much to Plant Each Time
Start with small amounts. You can always plant more.
Example for lettuce:
One person eats about 1 small head of lettuce per week
Plant 2 to 3 heads per person every 2 weeks
For 2 people: 4 to 6 lettuce plants every 2 weeks
Example for beans:
One 10-foot row produces about 5 pounds of beans over 3 weeks
If you want beans continuously June through August, plant one 10-foot row every 3 weeks starting late April (3 plantings total)
Step 3: Mark It on Your Calendar
Set reminders on your phone or calendar. Every 2 weeks: "Plant lettuce." Every 3 weeks: "Plant beans."
Without reminders, you'll forget. Life happens, plantings get skipped, succession breaks down.
Step 4: Prepare Space in Advance
Succession planting requires space to open up as early crops finish.
Example:
Bed 1: Lettuce planted March 1
Harvest by late April, pull plants
Same space: Plant beans late April
Harvest beans through June
Same space: Plant fall lettuce August
This is called relay planting (one crop follows another in the same space).
Step 5: Keep Notes
Which plantings worked? Which were too early or too late? Write it down. Adjust next year.
Succession Planting Calendar for Santa Cruz
These are guidelines. Adjust for your microclimate (coast runs 2 to 4 weeks behind inland for warm-season crops).
Lettuce
Coastal areas:
January through April: Every 2 weeks
May through July: Skip or plant heat-tolerant varieties in shade
August through November: Every 2 weeks
Year-round possible with right varieties
Inland areas:
February through April: Every 2 weeks
May through June: Skip (too hot)
August through October: Every 2 weeks
November through January: Slow growth but possible
Radishes
All areas:
March through May: Every 2 weeks
August through October: Every 2 weeks
Summer (inland): Skip, too hot
Bush Beans
Coastal areas:
Late May through July: Every 3 weeks (3 plantings)
Inland areas:
Late April through July: Every 3 weeks (4 plantings)
Carrots
All areas:
March through May: Every 3 to 4 weeks (spring harvest)
August through October: Every 3 to 4 weeks (fall/winter harvest)
Beets
All areas:
Same as carrots: March through May, August through October
Arugula
Coastal areas:
Almost year-round: Every 2 to 3 weeks (skip mid-summer)
Inland areas:
September through April: Every 2 to 3 weeks
Cilantro
All areas:
September through March: Every 2 to 3 weeks
Bolts quickly once temperatures rise
Summer Squash (Zucchini)
Coastal areas:
Late May, mid-June, mid-July: 3 plantings
Inland areas:
Early May, early June, early July: 3 plantings
Basil
All areas:
May through July: Every 4 weeks (3 plantings for continuous fresh leaves)
Managing Space for Succession Planting
Succession planting requires empty space to appear as crops finish. Here's how to make it work:
Plan for quick crops between slow crops:
Plant lettuce or radishes around slow-maturing broccoli or cabbage
Harvest quick crops before slow crops get large
Use containers:
Plant succession crops in containers when in-ground beds are full
Move containers to catch sunlight
Dedicate one bed to succession crops:
Bed 1: Succession lettuce and radishes all season
Other beds: Slower crops (tomatoes, peppers, brassicas)
Interplant:
Plant new lettuce seedlings between established tomato plants in July
By the time tomatoes finish (October), lettuce is producing
Common Succession Planting Mistakes
Planting too much at once. Start small. Two or three lettuce plants every 2 weeks, not a dozen.
Forgetting to plant. Set calendar reminders. Succession only works if you actually succession plant.
Not pulling finished crops. Clear out bolted lettuce or spent beans immediately to make space for the next planting.
Planting at the wrong time. Lettuce in July inland = instant bolting. Beans in March = seeds rot in cold soil. Follow seasonal timing.
Trying to succession plant everything. Choose 2 to 3 crops max your first year. Lettuce, radishes, beans. Master those. Add more next year.
Succession Planting in Containers
Succession planting works perfectly in containers.
Example: Lettuce in 10-gallon pot:
March 1: Plant 3 lettuce
Harvest late April, pull plants
May 1: Plant summer squash in same pot
Harvest through July
August 1: Pull squash, plant 3 lettuce again
Harvest through October
Containers let you succession plant even in small spaces (balconies, patios).
Keeping It Simple
Don't overthink succession planting. Start with one crop.
Year one: Master lettuce succession.
Plant 3 to 4 lettuce seedlings every 2 weeks from March through May
Harvest continuously May through July
Repeat in fall (August through October)
Year two: Add radishes and beans.
Year three: Expand to carrots, beets, summer squash.
Build skills gradually. Succession planting is powerful but requires planning and consistency.
Local Resources
UC Master Gardeners of Monterey Bay offer advice on succession planting timing for our specific climate.
UCSC Farm & Garden practices succession planting extensively. Notice what they're planting on tours and ask questions about their timing.
Downtown Santa Cruz Farmers Market vendors (Wednesdays, Cedar & Cathcart Streets): Ask farmers how they succession plant. Commercial growers rely on this technique for continuous harvest.
Renee's Garden, based in Felton, offers seed packets with succession planting guidance on the back.
The Payoff
Succession planting transforms your garden from a one-time harvest event to a continuous food source. It takes more planning and attention than planting everything once in spring, but the reward is fresh vegetables for months instead of weeks.
In Santa Cruz's year-round season, succession planting is the key to maximizing your garden. We have the climate for it. Use it.
Start small. Master one crop. Expand next year. Before long, succession planting becomes second nature, and your garden produces abundantly all season long.
Frequently Asked Questions About Succession Planting
How do I know when to start my next succession planting?
The simplest method is calendar-based: set reminders every 2 to 4 weeks depending on the crop. A more refined approach is to plant the next succession when the previous one has its first true leaves (for direct-sown crops) or when you transplant the previous succession (for transplanted crops). Either method works; calendar reminders are easier for beginners.
What if I don't have space for succession plantings?
Use relay planting: as one crop finishes, clear the space and immediately plant the next succession. Lettuce harvested in late April makes room for beans planted in early May. You're using the same space multiple times, not needing separate space for each planting. Containers also work well for succession planting when in-ground space is limited.
Can I succession plant in containers?
Absolutely. Containers are excellent for succession planting, especially on patios and balconies. Use the same container for multiple successions (lettuce in spring, summer crop, lettuce again in fall) or maintain several containers at different stages. A few 5 to 10 gallon containers can provide continuous lettuce all season.
How do I succession plant if I buy transplants instead of starting from seed?
Buy small quantities more frequently. Instead of buying a flat of 24 lettuce starts in March, buy 6 starts every 2 weeks. Many nurseries sell individual starts or four-packs. Or start your own seeds indoors in small batches to have transplants ready when you need them.
What's the difference between succession planting and relay planting?
Succession planting means planting the same crop multiple times throughout the season. Relay planting means planting a different crop in the same space after the first crop finishes. Most gardeners use both: succession planting lettuce every 2 weeks (same crop, multiple times) AND relay planting by following spring lettuce with summer beans in the same bed (different crops, same space).
Is succession planting worth it for just one or two people?
Especially worth it for small households. A single planting of 20 lettuce heads overwhelms two people. But 4 to 6 plants every 2 weeks provides exactly the right amount: enough for regular salads without waste. Succession planting prevents the feast-or-famine pattern that leads to compost bins full of bolted lettuce.
What happens if I miss a succession planting?
You'll have a gap in your harvest, but it's not a disaster. Just plant the next succession on schedule and accept the temporary break. Succession planting is forgiving; missing one planting out of six still gives you five harvests. Don't let perfectionism stop you from starting.
Should I succession plant tomatoes and peppers?
Generally no. These long-season crops produce continuously from a single planting (July through October for tomatoes). Succession planting them would mean planting later successions that don't have time to mature before frost. The crops listed in the "Don't Bother with Succession" section produce over such a long period from one planting that succession isn't necessary or practical.
Free Gardening Resources
Getting Started
Beginner Garden Setup Checklist — Complete setup guide to start your garden right.
Know Your Microclimate Worksheet — Understand your local conditions before planting.
Seed Starting Guide — Step-by-step instructions for starting seeds indoors and out.
Planning & Timing
Seasonal Planting Calendar — Avoid timing mistakes with month-by-month guidance.
Vegetables by Season Chart — Quick reference for what to plant and when in Santa Cruz County.
Seasonal Garden Tasks Checklist — Stay on track with monthly garden maintenance tasks.
Growing Guides
Companion Planting Guide — Learn which plants grow better together and which to keep apart.
Tomato Variety Selector — Find the best tomato varieties for your Santa Cruz microclimate.
Problem Solving
Garden Troubleshooting Guide — Diagnose common problems before they become disasters.
Gopher Control Guide — Humane and effective strategies for managing gophers in your garden.
Santa Cruz-Specific Guides
Water-Wise Gardening Guide — Conserve water while keeping your garden thriving through dry seasons.
Fire-Wise Gardening Guide — Create defensible space with beautiful, fire-resistant landscaping.
