Looking for a few seed crops that you can sow early in the spring to get a jump on this year’s garden season?
By early spring, most gardeners are more than ready to start growing something. But even though it may be a bit cold to start planting tomatoes, corn and peppers outdoors, it doesn’t mean you can’t plant a few crops that actually thrive in cooler weather.
Most vegetable plants require warm soil and air temperatures to survive and grow. Tomatoes, for instance, need the soil temperature to be at least 60° to 65°(F) to properly establish and grow. In addition, if the air temperature drops below 40°(F), they can be in danger of frost or freeze damage.
But with early spring seed crops that just isn’t the case. As you will see below, many crops such as sugar snap peas, radishes, kale, and more can be planted in cool soil with success. And, these same crops can also handle cool air temperatures as well.
In fact, many early season seed crops can handle nights when the thermometer even drops below freezing. And that is exactly why they are perfect for planting early in the garden season!
The Best Seed Crops To Sow Early In The Spring
Planting Sugar Snap & Snow Peas In Early Spring
No spring seed planting would be complete without growing a delicious crop of sugar snap peas, snow peas, or both! Both are loaded with vitamins and minerals – and do they ever love growing in the cool air of spring.
Sugar snap and snow peas are ready for harvesting as soon as their pods mature and fill out – and that can be in as little as 45 to 55 days. Seeds can go in the ground as soon as the soil is able to be worked – and the temperature reaches at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit on average. The good news is young pea seedlings can even handle a bit of frost.
Sow seeds 3/4 to 1 inch deep in fertile, well draining soil. Providing support with a small fence, chicken wire or trellis will help keep the tasty peas off the ground and out of danger. This will also make harvesting a much easier task. Affiliate Seed Link: Organic Sugar Snap Pea Seeds
To keep a steady supply coming on through spring, plant a second crop a few weeks after your first. Peas will bolt in the summer heat, so grow them while you can! See our article: Growing Sugar Snap Peas Like A Pro
How To Sow Radish Seed Crops In Early Spring
Radishes are another prime early season grower. And they go from seed to harvest in a flash. You can plant and harvest some varieties in as little as 28 days, while others can be ready in six weeks or less. Even better – they can go in the ground as early as three to four weeks before your last frost!
When it comes to variety, you can find radishes in a wide range of sizes, shapes and flavor profiles. From mild to spicy – and even a little sweet, there is a radish type for everyone. They also happen to be easy to plant as well.
Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep in loose, fertile, well-draining soil. Prior to planting, amend the planting row with compost to help power the seeds and loosen the soil. Thin the seeds after they sprout to allow to grow to full size. Affiliate Seed Link: Cherry Belle Heirloom Radish Seeds
One thing radishes like is steady moisture. It’s important to water them if spring rains are not falling. You can plant a new row of seeds every 2 weeks to keep a steady supply of radishes coming on strong all spring.
Planting Early Season Spinach
Spinach loves cool weather and soil, making it another perfect early spring seed crop to sow. Much like radishes, spinach germinates and grows fast. In fact, you can harvest some varieties of spinach in as little as three to four weeks.
Spinach can be planted early in the growing season, up to 4 to 6 weeks before your area’s last frost date. Sow spinach seeds directly into the soil 1/4 to 1/2″ deep. Space seeds two inches apart when planting. Affiliate Link: Organic Spinach Seeds – Bloomsdale Long Standing Spinach
Young, tender spinach leaves can be harvested when they reach two to three inches in height. You can also allow the spinach to grow a bit larger for a more mild flavor. Reseed every two to three weeks to keep a continual supply coming on.
Listen In To Our Podcast Below On Planting Seeds Early!
Growing Kale Early
Kale is one of the healthiest crops you can grow in your garden and is versatile in the kitchen. It is perfect for salads, soups, or making deliciously healthy chips for snacking. Even better, it is one of the best seed crops to sow and grow from seed in early spring.
Kale is another vegetable that actually grows and develops better flavor during the cooler weather. You can sow kale about 4 weeks before your area’s last frost date. Much as with most leafy crops, fertile, well-draining soil is a must.
It will grow fast once it germinates. Baby leaves can be ready for harvesting in as little as 20 to 25 days. Full sized leaves can be ready in 50 to 55 days. Affiliate Link : Burpee Dwarf Blue Curled Vates Kale Seeds
Loose Leaf Lettuce Mix
It’s hard to beat the flavor and freshness of a home-grown, just-picked salad. And there is no better way to grow your own than with a great loose-leaf lettuce seed mix. Loose leaf seed mix varieties germinate quickly and grow fast in the cool, early-spring weather.
How fast? Many can be sown and harvested in as little as 28 days! Sow seed 1/4 to 1/2″ deep and harvest by cutting as needed. Lettuce can be cut again for several harvests as it grows back. Affiliate Seed Link : Burpee Looseleaf Blend Lettuce Seeds
Here is to getting your garden season off to a fast start this year with some of the best seed crops to sow in early spring!
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This Is My Garden is a garden website created by gardeners, for gardeners. Jim and Mary Competti have been writing gardening, DIY and recipe articles and books and speaking for over 15 years from their 46 acre Ohio farm. They publish three articles every week, 52 weeks a year. Sign up today to follow via email, or follow along!