Succession Planting: The Secret to Continuous Harvests All Season Long

If you’ve ever experienced a feast-or-famine cycle in your garden—too much lettuce all at once, then none at all—you’re not alone. Succession planting is a time-tested technique that helps solve this issue by ensuring your garden produces a steady, continuous harvest throughout the growing season.

What Is Succession Planting?

Succession planting is a method where crops are planted in intervals rather than all at once. Instead of harvesting a large amount at one time (leading to spoilage), you sow smaller batches in phases, ensuring fresh, manageable harvests throughout the growing season.

Gardeners have used this method for centuries—particularly in small-scale or urban plots where space is limited. It’s especially popular in raised beds and container planting systems, where crop turnover is key to maximizing yields.

Why Use Succession Planting?

Here are the top benefits of incorporating succession planting into your gardening routine:

✅ Continuous Harvests: Instead of a single crop dump, you harvest weekly or bi-weekly.
✅ Maximized Space: Empty areas are replanted quickly, keeping soil productive.
✅ Pest and Disease Control: Rotating crops reduces pest buildup and soilborne diseases.
✅ Weed Suppression: Consistent planting minimizes weed space.
✅ Better Planning and Less Waste: You grow only what you need, when you need it.

Succession planting is ideal for maximizing square footage—especially in compact gardens like raised beds or container setups.

5 Types of Succession Planting (With Examples)

1. Same Crop, Staggered Timing

Plant the same crop every 1–3 weeks for consistent output.
Example: Sow lettuce every two weeks for continuous greens.

2. Different Crops in Sequence

Replace one crop with another once it’s harvested.
Example: Grow peas in spring, then beans in summer, followed by kale in fall.

3. Intercropping

Grow fast and slow-growing crops together in one space.
Example: Radishes (ready in 30 days) between slower-growing broccoli.
→ Learn how this aligns with companion planting.

4. Relay Planting

Start new plants before the current ones finish, so one crop “relays” into the next.
Example: Start basil seedlings while your tomatoes are still fruiting.

5. Climate-Based Planting

Take advantage of early spring, summer, and fall crops by rotating seasonal varieties.
Example: Cool-loving spinach in spring, heat-loving cucumbers in summer, and hardy garlic in fall.

🗓 How to Plan a Succession Planting Strategy

Succession planting takes planning, but once you get the rhythm, it becomes second nature.

🔍 Step 1: Know Your USDA Growing Zone

This determines your frost dates and how many growing days you have.

📅 Step 2: Use a Planting Calendar

Plot when to plant, harvest, and replant based on crop maturity times. Tools like spreadsheets or mobile garden planners are helpful.

🧮 Step 3: Calculate Days to Maturity

Check your seed packets. Some crops mature in 30 days, others take 90. Use this to map planting intervals.

🌱 Step 4: Choose Quick Turnover Crops

Fast-growing crops allow multiple plantings. These include:

Lettuce (30–45 days)
Radish (25–30 days)
Spinach (40–50 days)

→ For sowing directly into soil, see our guide to Direct Seeding (In-Ground Planting).

🥦 Best Crops for Succession Planting

✅ Leafy Greens

Lettuce
Spinach
Arugula
Mustard greens

✅ Root Vegetables

Radishes
Carrots
Beets
Turnips

✅ Legumes

Bush beans
Snap peas

✅ Brassicas

Kale
Cabbage
Broccoli

✅ Herbs

Basil
Cilantro
Dill

Choose heat-tolerant varieties for summer and frost-resistant ones for fall to stretch your harvest window.

Succession Planting in Small Spaces

Don’t have a large plot? No problem. Succession planting thrives in compact environments when planned correctly.

🌿 Raised Beds

Tight spacing and soil control make raised bed planting perfect for quick crop rotations.

🪴 Container Gardens

Use deep pots to swap crops seasonally. Great for herbs, greens, and compact root veggies.
→ Learn more in our container planting guide.

🧱 Vertical Gardening

Trellises and wall-mounted planters free up floor space, letting you plant more successions below.

🧑‍🌾 Companion Planting

Mixing compatible crops helps suppress weeds, attract pollinators, and protect yields.

→ Explore companion planting strategies.

Replenishing Soil Between Successions

Each crop depletes nutrients. To keep soil fertile:

🐛 Add compost between plantings
🌾 Rotate crop families (e.g., legumes after leafy greens)
🧪 Use soil tests to determine amendments needed

For organic solutions, refer to our guide on How to Make Organic Fertilizer at Home. Avoid synthetic fertilizers that can damage long-term soil health.

Seasonal Succession Planting Guide

Here’s a sample schedule using cool-, warm-, and cold-season crops in the same space:

Spring

Early: Spinach, radish, lettuce
Mid: Peas, carrots
Late: Start warm-season seedlings indoors

Summer

Early: Bush beans, zucchini
Mid: Tomatoes, cucumbers, basil
Late: Sow fall crops (broccoli, cabbage)

Fall

Early: Kale, chard, lettuce
Mid: Garlic, onions
Late: Cover crops or mulch for winter protection

By planning seasonally, you can harvest up to three rounds of crops per year from one garden bed!

Tools & Tips for Success

✅ Succession Planting Calendar: Use a printable chart or digital tool.
✅ Row Markers & Labels: Track what was planted and when.
✅ Garden Journal: Note performance and adjust timing yearly.
✅ Start Seedlings in Trays: Have transplants ready before space opens up.

Common Succession Planting Mistakes

❌ Planting too closely: Causes overcrowding and competition
❌ Ignoring maturity dates: Leads to wasted seed or harvest gaps
❌ Skipping soil amendments: Results in poor growth or nutrient deficiencies
❌ Not tracking timing: Forgetting what was planted where slows your progress

Build Your Continuous Harvest Garden

Succession planting isn’t just for expert gardeners—it’s one of the smartest, most efficient ways to grow more food in less space. Whether you’re starting a few containers on a patio or managing multiple raised beds, the key is planning ahead and planting with purpose.

🌿 Ready to start your own succession garden? Download our free Seasonal Planting Calendar, or explore other tips on PlantingWell.com to take your growing game to the next level.