What We Raise and When It Will Be Ripe

This chart is a guide to the vegetables, flowers and herbs we raise and when we expect them to be ready in a normal season. Predictions are always imprecise, particularly those dependent on the weather**. And this is Wisconsin, where "normal" seasons occur so infrequently that we often don't even recognize them until they are over. These predictions were last updated June 2023 for the 2023 season. They may change as the season progresses. For current information on what is available any given day check Today at The Tree Farm.

Changes from Previous Years

Picking will begin in July. Previous years have started earlier.
Some vegetables have been discontinued. The list below is planned for 2023.


  Available  
Vegetable Start End Remarks
, green, yellow and French mid July Frost Several plantings during the growing season. Check the "Today" page for availability.
Beet greens mid July late July  
Beets mid July early Nov  
late July Frost Plus many other types of sweet peppers. Best selection mid August to frost.
Bittermelons early Aug Frost Also called bitter gourd.
Brussels sprouts late Sep early Nov  
Cabbage early Aug early Nov Green (round and flat head), red.
Cabbage for sauerkraut early Sep early Nov Please check the "Today" page for price, size and availability.
Carrots mid July early Nov  
Cauliflower mid Sept early Nov Check the "Today" page for availability.
Chinese cabbage mid Sep early Nov Also known as Napa.
Chinese (Asian) greens mid Sep early Nov Ching chiang tsai, bok choi, Ghat (hot red mustard)
Cucumbers, Salad late July early Sep Beit alpha, long slender, and other types.
Cucumbers, Pickling late July August Pickling cucumbers.
early Aug Frost Also known as pale green snake gourd or bottle gourd.
Dai-kon mid Sep early Nov Large sweet Japanese radishes.
Eggplant late July Frost Best in late August and September.
Fennel August early Sep New for 2023
mid June mid Oct Click here for a list of Flowers raised at The Tree Farm.
Gongura late Aug Frost Supply fluctuates during the season. Please check the "Today" page for availability
Gourds, ornamental October Many shapes and sizes
Herbs mid July early Nov View complete herb list
Honey All Season Local, natural, most hives located on The Tree Farm.
late July Frost Best selection mid August to frost.
Kale mid July early Nov Kale is sweetest in cool fall weather.
Kohlrabi mid July early Nov  
Leeks mid Aug early Nov  
Mu mid Sep early Nov Large sweet Korean radishes.
Okra mid July Frost Supplies and quality vary during the season. Please check the "Today" page for availability
Onions, dry (bulb) mid Aug early Oct Red onions and yellow onions. Store well.
Peas mid July mid July  
Peas, snap mid July late July See Snap peas.
late July Frost Over 20 kinds. Please see the hot peppers page for our selection. Best selection mid August to frost.
late July Frost Bell peppers, European types, snack peppers. Best selection mid August to frost.
Pickling Cucumbers late July August Pickling Cucumbers.
Popcorn October Yellow, red and blue varieties
for storage mid Aug early Nov White and Yukon gold
, new mid July mid Aug  
mid Aug early Nov Green pumpkins in August; orange pumpkins best in October.
Radishes mid Sep early Nov Large sweet Asian radishes. Japanese (Dai-kon) and Korean varieties (Mu).
early Sept Frost Includes Striped Indian Snake Gourd and Pale Green Snake Gourd which is also known as Cucuzzi, Bottle Gourd or Snake Squash.
mid July late July  
Spinach early Sept early Nov Spinach may also be available by appointment in late April and early May.
mid July early Sep Zucchini and Crookneck.
Squash, winter late Sep early Nov Acorn, butternut, kabocha, delicata, spaghetti, hubbard
late July Frost Bell peppers, European types, snack peppers.Best selection mid August to frost.
mid July early Nov Small leaves for salad greens in July, large leaves later
Tomatillos early Aug Frost  
mid July Frost Red, yellow, paste (Roma), pink, beefsteak, cherry, grape plum types. Best supply and price for canning quantities in September.
Wintermelon September Frost Also known as wax gourd or ash gourd
mid July early Sep See summer squash



  Available  
Herbs Start End Remarks
Basil, Sweet mid July Mid September  
Cilantro mid July early Nov  
Dill, Headed late July Frost Flowers and/or seeds.
Dill Weed mid July Frost  
Mint mid July early Nov Spearmint



  Available  
Flowers Start End Remarks
Ageratum mid July Frost  
Celosia mid July Frost  
Cone flowers mid July early Aug  
mid June Frost Rudbeckia
Flamingo Feathers mid July Frost  
Liatris late summer  
Penstemon summer Seed pods make attractive fillers
mid July Frost  
mid June Frost  
mid July mid Oct  
mid July mid Oct  
mid July Frost Excellent dried flowers.
early Aug mid Sept  
Yarrow mid July Frost  
mid July Frost  

*Frost. Items marked as frost sensitive will be destroyed by a killing frost. Many of the vegetables we raise are frost-sensitive. Because of our hilltop location, the first fall frost at The Tree Farm is often later than the first frost elsewhere in this area. In over forty years at our present location, we have had frost as early as September 20th, and as late as early November. On average, the first frost comes about the end of the first week in October. Check Today at The Tree Farm for up to date information on what is available at The Tree Farm.

**Weather. We don't control the weather. Plant growth and plant health -- and hence vegetable ripening and quality -- depend on the weather. If it is hot, some vegetables ripen faster than expected. If it is cool, some vegetables ripen more slowly than expected. Excessive heat and cold can affect quality. Unusually wet weather almost always diminishes vegetable quality. Because we don't control the weather, predictions made before the season begins can be rather poor. Please check Today at The Tree Farm for up to date information on what is available at The Tree Farm.

The Tree Farm
The Pick-your-own Vegetables Place
www.thetreefarm.net
In Northwestern Dane County, Wisconsin, serving Madison and the surrounding area
8454 State Road 19
Cross Plains, WI 53528

608.798.2286
farm@thetreefarm.net

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Updated June 19 2023

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