7 Crops to Sow NOW in the Spring Garden
Early spring has sprung, with days getting longer and the tulips and daffodils popping up to say hello, sure signs that it is time for us gardeners to get back in the dirt. Certain crops actually thrive in the cooler temperatures of early spring and many can be sown directly into the soil. Here I will discuss 7 seeds that I will be direct sowing in March/April in my spring garden.
Be Sure To Check Your Planting Zones and Last Frost Dates Here:
1.Leafy Greens
Leafy Greens such as arugula, mustard greens, spinach, swiss chard and lettuce mixes are a great choice for the spring garden. They tend to do well in cooler temperatures and some can even handle a bit of frost. Most leafy greens will do well planted throughout Late March and April.
Varieties to Try:
‘Wasabi’ Arugula
‘Scarlet’ Kale
‘Arctic King’ Lettuce
2. Carrots
Direct-sow carrots into small shallow trenches in rows 6-8 inches apart. Once plants spring up, thin them to allow larger growth. Carrots can be succession planted every 2 to 3 weeks. Most types take 60 to 80 days to mature, so last planting should be started 2 to 3 months before the first expected fall frost.
Varieties to Try:
‘Cosmic Purple’
‘Chantenay Red’
‘Parisienne’
3. Parsnips
Parsnips actually prefer cooler weather so are a great crop to grow both in spring and autumn. In order to grow parsnips, sow seeds 2-4 weeks before the last frost date and plant densely about 1⁄2 inch deep. After the plants emerge you can come back and thin to 4 inches, they can be slow to germinate, about 21-28 days.
Varieties to Try:
‘Albion’
‘The Student’
‘Hollow Crown Parsnip’
4. Radish
Radishes are very quick and easy to grow and a great plant for spring and fall gardens. Plant seeds starting around early to mid March through April allowing about 1 inch between seeds and about 1⁄4-1⁄2 inch deep. Radishes perform well interplanted with parsnips.
Varieties to Try:
‘China Rose’
‘French Breakfast’
‘Plum Purple’
5. Peas
Peas germinate best in a cooler soil temperature, usually between 50-70 degrees, making the plant best suited for the fall or spring garden. Seeds should be planted about 1 inch deep and about 1 inch apart and do best with some support for the plant to climb up.
Varieties to Try:
‘Mangetout’
‘Sugarsnap’
‘Charmette’
6. Leeks
Leeks love cooler weather and well-drained soil so they make a good plant for the early spring gardens. They can be started directly into the soil 4-6 inches apart and very shallow or very densely planted and later separate and replant further apart. Leeks are great to plant following potatoes a potato harvest.
Varieties to Try:
‘Toledo’
‘Pandora’
‘Lyon Prizetaker’
7. Potatoes
Potatoes are ideally planted 2 to 4 weeks before the average last frost date. This will give them enough time to grow a good crop. As leaves emerge you will want to hill the soil up around the plant and mulch with straw. When the plant starts dying back it is ready to harvest.
Varieties to Try :
‘Rose Finn Apple’
‘Purple Majesty’’
‘Yukon Gold’
