Spinach likes the cold, so plant in early spring or late summer. Plant seeds 1/2 inch deep with 12 to 15 seeds per foot of row. Once the plants reach an inch in height, thin them (remove the weaker ones to give more space to the stronger plants) to 2 inches apart. Make sure they get ample moisture. Eat spinach as soon as the leaves are large enough (about 40 days). Cut the plant at the soil surface, or pick the outer leaves, allowing the inner ones to mature.

As soon as the soil is workable, plant seeds. Seeds should be placed 3/4 inch deep and 1 inch apart. Once the seedlings reach 4 inches tall, thin them to 4 inches apart. Sow new seeds every three weeks until the midsummer for a steady harvest. Pull beets when bulbs are 1 1/2 to 3 inches in diameter -- about 60 days after the seeds were sown.

Since seeds need to be planted indoors four to six weeks before the last frost date, it may be easier to use seedlings. Transplant into the ground when the night air stays above 45 degrees. Although more labor-intensive, staking your plants will yield larger fruit (but in less abundance). Tomato cages, sold at garden centers, keep your plants from sprawling. Depending on the variety, you'll have juicy tomatoes in 55 to 80 days. Pick fruit when it's fully colored for firm.

Once the weather hits a steady 65 degrees during the day (60 at night), bring your seedlings outdoors to let them adjust. When it warms up a few degrees more, transplant into a sunny spot. Leave 12 to 24 inches of space between each pepper plant and keep moist. Peppers will be ready to eat in about 65 to 85 days. Pick them when they are fully mature, about 3 to 4 inches long.

Plant seeds directly in the sun after the danger of frost has passed. Sow two or three seeds 24 to 36 inches apart. When plants reach 2 inches in height, vigorously think down to one plant. One or two plants should bear enough fruit to last you through the summer. Pick squash when they're small (6 to 8 inches long). They produce rapidly, so pick every day to ensure that the plant's energy goes into creating new fruit.

Plant seeds directly in the soil as soon as it's workable. Pick a sunny plot and plow at least 9 inches deep, breaking clumps to make room for the roots to grow; then plant seeds 1/2 inch deep. At 1 inch tall, thin seedlings; check the seed packet to determine how much thinning is required. Pull carrots when the roots are 1/2 to 3/4 inch in diameter, usually about 60 days, depending on the variety. Carrot tops are not always strong, so you may need to dig a little to keep from damaging other vegetables.