When the thermometer creeps up and the sun peeks out from behind the clouds, it starts to feel like garden season. So although it’s not warm enough for tomatoes, there are plenty of early spring crops to plant. Nothing like tiny sprouts to lighten your mood.
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But My Heart Says Dig!
As soon as we get a couple of warm days, my heart is ready to dig up the garden. I have to write the planting dates on my calendar so that I don’t end up freezing everything by planting too early. In January, I sit down with Clyde’s garden planner and map out my plantings for the year. It helps me to stop and think before going hog wild in the garden. Although sometimes I do anyway.
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My Favorite Early Spring Crops
We are picky eaters and that is just how it’s always going to be at our house. That being said, our spring crops may be different from yours. When gardening, remember to plant what you actually eat, not what somebody else said to plant.
Onions
My husband hates onions, but I cook with them pretty often. I hide them in his food and he is none the wiser. I plant a white, sweet onion every year. Although you can start onions from seed, I have not been successful, so I buy onion sets from Atwood’s in the spring.
Carrots
Normally, I plant carrots in the raised bed. This year, I decided to give grow bags a try to free up some space in my raised bed. It seems to be working well, but thinning them out may be more difficult since they are not planted in rows. But we shall see. The little ones that are thinned out do not go to waste. The chickens love them.
Potatoes
Potatoes are easily my favorite food. I like to plant a lot of russet potatoes because they store well and are versatile in the kitchen. Most of the time, I grab a bag from the grocery store and let them grow eyes. Then I can plant them. This is by far the most cost effective.
Peas
I love to eat frozen sweet peas. So I always plant a lot of peas. Then I’ll blanch and freeze them for snacking later. I like to grab a handful and eat them right out of the freezer.
Lettuce
We are not big salad people, so it’s ok that we can only grow lettuce as one of our early spring crops. A few salads or chicken, bacon, ranch wraps and we’re good until next spring.
Herbs
Most herbs can be planted in early spring. Just check to make sure that whatever you have picked is frost hardy. That should be easy information to find on the seed packet. I plant lots of basil, sage, thyme, oregano, cilantro, and parsley.
Other Ideas for Early Spring Crops
Although we do eat some of these other early spring crops, I don’t have the space to grow them just yet. But most, we just don’t eat because we have the pallets of children.
Leafy Greens
Spinach
Kale
Collard Greens
Cabbage
Arugula
Swiss Chard
Root Vegetables
Radishes
Turnips
Beets
Scallions
Other Brassicas
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Brussel sprouts
Kohlrabi
Pushing the Limits with Early Spring Crops
If you have a short growing season or just want to get the most out of your garden, then you can try to extend the season for your early spring crops. Keep in mind that this will require more work and tending than just waiting a few weeks until it’s time.
Cold frames are like tiny green houses than go over your plants. You can make them from old windows or clear plastic. This will protect your plants from frost and keep them warmer. That means you can plant things outside earlier.
Another option is a greenhouse. This will provide a warm, protected place for the plants on cool nights. But you can always move them outside on sunny days.
High tunnels are pricier, but they can really extend your growing season. Plus they will protect your plants from severe weather.
The site may contain links to affiliate websites, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. As a Revive EO Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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