In the month of April, farmers start to plant their crops. Certain crops like tomatoes and melons need hot weather and a growing season of up to 8 months. If they were grown in a colder climate, they would need to be produced in a greenhouse and then transplanted outside in late spring. 

Sometimes it’s too dry for crops to grow, just like in northern Africa, where they experience frequent droughts.

“Our courtyard is a certified monarch safe station. Everything in there is monarch safe, like milkweed.” Ms. Jeanine Ging, sixth grade science and math teacher, said.

 In regions near the poles, where it’s farther away from the equator, the growing season is sometimes less than two months. Most crops need at least ninety days to fully grow. The growing time varies from place to place. 

“The first flower I planted was milkweed because it’s the only plant monarch butterflies will eat and lay eggs on.” Jeanine Ging said.

  In perricogardens.com, it says Pittsburgh is in zone 6b. These zones help farmers to see when and where to start planting their crops. This is important to know when you are purchasing plants. In cool seasons, vegetables like broccoli, lettuce, kale, carrots, peas, and beets can grow in zone 6b. Tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, cucumbers, and beans can grow during the warm seasons in zone 6b.