Spring is in the air, and with it, the urge to get our hands dirty and start planting! But with so many vegetables to choose from, you might be wondering, “What can I plant now?” The answer depends on your climate and the specific vegetable’s growing season. Let’s explore some options for spring planting, categorized by their ideal planting times.
Before we dive in, remember that the ideal planting time varies based on your USDA hardiness zone. For a quick reference, consult the USDA’s Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Now, let’s get started!
Cool-season Vegetables: Plant Now for Early Harvest
Cool-season vegetables thrive in cooler temperatures and can tolerate light frosts. They’re perfect for early spring planting, providing a harvest before the summer heat sets in.
These vegetables include leafy greens, root crops, and brassicas. They can be sown directly into the garden or started indoors 4-6 weeks before the last spring frost.
Leafy Greens
Leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, and kale are some of the first vegetables to plant in spring. They grow quickly and can be harvested within 45-65 days. succession planting ensures a continuous harvest throughout the season.
For a diverse harvest, consider planting different varieties like ‘Buttercrunch’ lettuce, ‘Bloomsdale’ spinach, and ‘Dwarf Blue Curled Scotch’ kale. Interplanting with slow-bolt radishes can help deter pests and mark rows.
Root Crops
Root crops like carrots, beets, and radishes are excellent cool-season choices. They can be planted as soon as the soil can be worked in early spring and can tolerate light frosts.
Try ‘Danvers 126’ carrots, ‘Detroit Dark Red’ beets, and ‘Cherry Belle’ radishes. For a unique twist, consider ‘Rainbow Beets’ or ‘White Icicle’ radishes for their colorful roots.
Brassicas
Brassicas like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower can be started indoors 4-6 weeks before the last spring frost or sown directly into the garden. They require consistent moisture and well-draining soil.
Plant ‘Calabrese’ broccoli, ‘ Savoy Perfection’ cabbage, and ‘Cheddar’ cauliflower. For a continuous harvest, consider planting succession crops every 2-3 weeks.
Warm-season Vegetables: Plant After the Last Frost
Warm-season vegetables prefer temperatures above 60°F (15°C) and can be damaged by frost. Plant these after the last spring frost for a summer harvest.
These vegetables include tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and beans. They can be started indoors 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost or sown directly into the garden.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a warm-season staple. They come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, from ‘Roma’ paste tomatoes to ‘Brandywine’ beefsteak tomatoes. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost.
For a continuous harvest, consider planting determinate varieties like ‘Patio’ or ‘Balconi’ that produce all their fruit at once. Indeterminate varieties like ‘Big Boy’ or ‘Early Girl’ will produce fruit throughout the season.
Peppers
Peppers come in various shapes, sizes, and heat levels. They can be started indoors 8-10 weeks before the last spring frost or sown directly into the garden after the soil has warmed.
Try ‘Bell Boy’ sweet peppers, ‘Jalapeño M’ hot peppers, or ‘Fish’ frying peppers. For a unique twist, consider ‘Sweet Banana’ or ‘Cayenne’ peppers.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers are heat-loving plants that can be sown directly into the garden after the last spring frost. They grow quickly and can be harvested within 50-65 days.
Plant ‘Marketmore 76’ or ‘Straight Eight’ slicing cucumbers, or ‘Bush Champion’ or ‘Spacemaster’ bush varieties for container gardening. For a unique twist, consider ‘Suyo Long’ or ‘Lemon’ cucumbers.
As you plan your spring garden, remember that succession planting and interplanting can help maximize your harvest and maintain a diverse garden. Happy planting!
