When visiting Bulgaria last week I noticed many market stalls were selling seeds for this years vegetable crops. As we are not moving to BG until May I thought I might be a bit late for growing crops from seed but would there be opportunity to buy tomato plants etc in the markets instead. I would hate to miss out on the growing season. Can anyone advise on the best option. Also, will there be any fruit trees for sale at this time as so far I have not seen any.

Appreciate any advice as I am attempting to cultivate vegetables in BG for tbe first time.

There will be no problem finding plants when you come out, and if anyone in the village 'adopts' you you will find you will be given some if you let it be known you are going to plant. We came over in May and there were masses of plants in the markets, you will find they are well in advence of the UK ones. My neighbour showed me her tomato seedlings yesterday!You should still have time to plant onions too. I will look back at what we did last year, off to bed now.
Sara

If you want any specific varieties of things like fruit trees you could get them in the UK now when they are bare root and cheaper and put them in a small pot as you can plant pot grown ones later than bare root, they should be fine

Fruit trees are in most BG gardens anyway, best to wait till the summer to see whats there before planning on new trees, i thought there werent any but found peaches, apricots,apples,figs,cherries all there already and couldnt see them before there was fruit on them

Plants will be fine for the drive, but mine didnt like the sun levels in BG, they survived fine though once they got used to it, i didnt harden them off before putting them in the sun

Im have some veg seeds planted in pots in the UK under my metal halide grow lights in the house, so they will be ready to take over to plant out in BG after a few weeks in the greenhouse to harden them off

I was just wondering about potatoes yesterday....when do they plant them over there! , its obviously earlier growing season than the UK (but it looks late this year)

I got this from a Bulgarian friend so excuse the way its written although he speaks good English he has trouble writing it. Hope it helps.

January

Chop cabbage and vegetables are frost-resistant and do not require additional protection during the winter. Lettuce should be covered with twigs in a harsh winter days. After the end of January can sow kale, lettuce and cauliflower in a greenhouse. After planting, the greenhouse must be placed in a holy place. If the soil is not frozen, you can pick cabbage, lettuce, celery.

February

February is the time of the first plants in the greenhouse. For the heating of the soil using a compost container, which is filled with a pre-dug pit in the bed a few days prior to planting. The plants, which can be sown at that time radishes, peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, kale and lettuce. Sowing in January during this period. In milder weather towards the end of the month the soil can be hoe to a depth of 5 cm in the warmer regions of the country at that time in the greenhouses can be planted potatoes, onions and spinach.

March

Ventilate greenhouses for warm and sunny days make sure to shade over the plants in the greenhouse. The soil of the vegetable garden also need to hoe. Before the seedlings planted soil should be loosened again with the paddle.
At this time sown potatoes, onions, radishes, spinach and various lettuce. Peppers and tomatoes can be planted in large containers that can be placed in a warm, bright spot at the window. The month of March is the time for herbs and spices such as Selim, parsley and lavender.


April

In April begins the season of the vegetable garden. By this time all kinds are sown lettuce. While germinate plants should be thoroughly watered. Other types of crops at this time are: Spinach and beetroot, turnips, radishes, leeks and all kinds of cabbage and garlic and green onions. This is the best time to plant asparagus. Potatoes were planted in the middle of the month, and already sprouted potatoes - at the end of the month. In greenhouses or covered beds and boxes in the middle of the month can sow cucumbers, zucchini, squash, sweet corn and melon.
In terms of herbs and spices in April sow dill, sage, lemon balm and mint, parsley and wild garlic oregano and rosemary. At that time gave his first harvest spinach and rhubarb (end of June).

May

May is a crucial period for the processing of the vegetable garden:
After mid-May, it is time for transplanting seedlings of tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini and celery. Of the warmer places in the garden can be replanted and peppers, eggplants and melon. This period is also suitable for planting in warm temperatures legumes. You can sow and zucchini and sweet corn directly in the garden. Crops can be sown more broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage;
other types of transplant the seedlings into the garden. Later chicory is sown in the middle of the month. Originally regularly hoeing the beds to remove weeds that grow very quickly at this time. The mulch will also help to stop the development of Weeds in the garden. After the middle of May you can enjoy early salads, spinach, radishes, kale, rhubarb, Selim and green onions.

June

Beds harvested must be immediately re-sow, not deserted. Suitable salads, lettuce, from mid-June and Chinese cabbage. Radishes can be grown and semi-shaded areas in summer;
If you have a sunny spot should be watered very regularly. For dill second period for sowing begins mid-June. Green beans and kohlrabi can also sow. During this time, the beds should be covered with compost material, but only on cloudy days or at dusk. For Rhubarb middle of the month is the time to harvest and the end of the asparagus. In the beds of herbs and spices can sow dill and chervil. Onions is better to cut to grow more vigorously. Savory can be sown directly around the beans.
Now is the time for harvest of salads, lettuce, spinach, peas, dill, radishes, turnips, cabbage, tarragon, parsley and rosemary.

July

In dry periods beds with vegetables must be watered thoroughly. Uniform soil moisture is a prerequisite for a good harvest. Regular replenishment of the upper layer of mulch keeps the soil from drying out.
Salad and lettuce for fall crop should be sown by the end of the month;
also Chinese cabbage and fennel. Secondary sow lettuce and radish is also suitable. From the middle of the month sow radishes for winter harvest. Pro tomatoes should be regularly removed sprouted shoots.
Ready for picking now are salads, turnips, peas, radishes, kohlrabi, potatoes, basil and oregano.

August

Pay attention to soil moisture. Only bulbous plants need dry soil to ripen. Lettuce for salads and the end of the month is the last time for sowing;
well as beets and spinach.
After the middle of August can be planted winter bulbs. Vegetables with a long growing season such as cabbage, zucchini, celery, tomatoes and cucumbers should at the latest by the end of the month to fertilize again.
After harvesting the empty beds must quickly sow sowing fertilization.
The month is suitable for sowing parsley.
But it must be at a different location, rather than the same, which has been so far.
Now you can knock cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, onions, potatoes, garlic, radishes, beets, shucked vegetables, cauliflower, lavender and mint.

September

In September, the main work is harvesting. Must be resolved beans, courgettes and cucumbers until the end of September. Also, watermelon, eggplant and peppers from the field.

Tomatoes best be resolved and green fruit and leave to ripen somewhere in the house.

In early September is the last chance to sow radishes, lettuce for salads and spring. You can plant and rhubarb.

Of herbs and spices can harvest in September basil, lemon balm, mint and mint. By reducing the sun and scent becomes weaker.

October

Pick the last harvest kale, radishes and tomatoes. By the end of the month you need to collect the last potatoes and celery. Different salads have different resistance to cold. Chicory as garden is sustainable, but it is nice to end of October to collect. Cabbage plants to withstand freezing temperatures small. Only cauliflower is more sensitive to cold.
Spice is good to regularly collect oregano. Basil and rosemary can be replanted in pots and keep watch at ambient conditions of light and warm. Lemon balm, sage incense and covered with noise, not freeze. Cover with foil greenhouses. Later planted vegetables should also be covered.

November

More frost-resistant vegetables like spinach, celery and Chinese cabbage give his last harvest at this time. The cold resistance of garlic varies with different varieties. Collect vegetables that you can store for a long time in dry weather. Store in a cool and dry place, in order to remain fresh for a long time.

December

Cut Brussels sprouts and leaves during the warmer days. During mild weather can be cut and lettuce.

To maintain nutrients in the soil level to the next harvest, now is the time when you need to take a sample of it. If you find that the ph-value is too low, sprinkle the ground with a little lime.

Excellent post bigdave thanks.