Hello, I’m Yun, the founder of The Planting Key. This website wasn’t born from a business plan, but from a simple, heartfelt message sent by a friend.
I live in Guangzhou, China. Here, I have a group of friends who are as obsessed with gardening as I am. We grow vegetables, flowers, and fruits on our own balconies or small vegetable plots, and then we exchange planting techniques and share the joy of harvesting in our group chat. We are accustomed to using China’s “24 Solar Terms” (二十四节气) to determine sowing times. This traditional system has guided Chinese agriculture for thousands of years.
The turning point came when a friend of mine moved to the United States, ready to showcase her skills on her new balcony. But she quickly hit a wall. The methods we knew so well were completely unworkable in her new climate. She sent me a message that changed everything:
“Yun, what should I refer to for planting times in the US? I don’t even know when to plant tomatoes!“
Her question stopped me in my tracks. It’s true, our love for the land is universal, but the methods cannot be simply copied. What could I do for her?
From a Question to a Research-Driven Mission
That single question sparked a deep dive into the world of North American horticulture. I realized that the biggest challenge for home gardeners isn’t a lack of effort—it’s navigating the overwhelming and often contradictory advice found online.
This realization became the mission for The Planting Key. My expertise was forged not in acres of farmland, but in the countless hours dedicated to researching, analyzing, and synthesizing the horticultural principles from leading North American university agricultural extensions. I dive deep into the data-driven advice from institutions like Cornell University, the University of Minnesota, and Utah State University, and my goal is to translate that proven, scientific knowledge into the simple, practical, and step-by-step guides you find on this site.
My Philosophy & Promise
The Planting Key is the result of that mission. Every guide and calendar on this site is built upon a simple philosophy with a clear promise to you:
- Clarity Over Complexity: I do the hard research so you don’t have to. My commitment is to turn complex, academic knowledge into plain, easy-to-follow language that empowers you to act with confidence.
- Data Over Dogma: My planting dates and advice are built on a foundation of scientific data and proven methods from trusted sources, not just old adages or hearsay.
- Transparency is Trust: I believe in showing my work. That’s why all my data sources and calculation methods are made public on the My Methodology page for you to review at any time.
Although we may be thousands of miles apart, the soil beneath our feet and our shared love for the growth of life connect us.
Thank you for being here. I invite you to explore my Beginner’s Guide to Starting a Garden if you’re just starting out, or dive into the full Vegetable Growing Guides library to find your next project.
Happy Gardening,
Yun