Spring Garden
The spring garden signals the official start of the growing season for many. Although there are people in zones that can grow year-round, that is not the case for everyone. The following 18 plants are easy to start from seeds indoors or by direct sowing outside. They thrive in cool conditions. This is not a complete list by any means, but they are plants that are commonly grown, hardy and suitable for beginning gardeners.
Arugula
Seeds take 10-15 days to germinate. Thin when seedlings are ½ inch tall to 1 plant every 6 inches.
Seedlings mature in 32-55 days.
It is recommended to Direct Sow 2-4 weeks before your average last frost date.
Arugula can be sown as baby greens with 30 seeds per foot, no thinning required, and harvestable in approximately 30 days.
Arugula is leafy green that has a mild flavor and makes a great baby green. The peppery flavor will ramp up over time as temperatures heat up. Afternoon shade will help prolong the harvest. This is a frost-tolerant plant.
Beets
Seeds take 5-8 days to germinate. Each beet seed can produce 2-6 plants. So, thinning will be necessary. You can start beet seeds inside about six weeks before the last frost so that you get a harvest up to 3 weeks sooner.
Beets enjoy the full sun and are ready to harvest when they are the size of a golf ball. This can take 50-70 days. You can clip the greens and enjoy them in a salad. Beets can tolerate frost. Sow ½ inch deep and 2 inches apart. Thin to 1 plant every 3-4 inches once they are 3-4 inches tall.
Beets are a root vegetable. The greens can also be used in salads.
Broccoli
Seeds will take 7-14 days to germinate.
Start indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost for early harvest.
For starting seeds outside, sow 2-3 together every 1-1.5 feet. When seedlings are 1-inch tall, thin to 1 plant every 1 ½ feet. Harvest before buds open. Side shoots are produced after the main head is cut. Sow ½ inch deep.
Plants take 85 days to harvest.
Bunching Onions
Seeds will take 10-15 days to germinate.
Sow outside for continuous production 4-6 weeks before the last frost and every 2-4 weeks after that.
You can start inside 8-10 weeks before the last frost. Transplant seedlings 4-6 weeks before the last frost.
Plant seeds ¼ inch deep space ½ inch apart and rows 12 inches apart. Thinning is not necessary unless you prefer thicker bulbs. Plants take 65 days to mature.
Cabbage
Seeds will take 10-14 days to germinate.
Start seeds indoors 4-5 weeks before the last frost. Sow an inch apart and ½ inch deep. When several inches tall, transplant seedlings.
Plant 10 inches apart in rich soil and full sun. For direct sowing, sow in groups of 2-3 seeds every one inch in rows 12 inches apart. Thin to 1 strong plant every 10 inches.
Carrots
Seeds can take 1-3 weeks to germinate.
Carrots are root vegetables
Seeds need soil that is free of rocks and debris. Plant 3-4 weeks before final frost. Sift potting soil to get any chunks of debris out.
Plant seeds about ¼ inch deep and cover thinly with sifted potting soil. Gently water so as not to displace seeds. Seeds must be thinned to 1 plant every 3 inches when tops reach 3-4 inches tall.
Carrots can be harvested 50-70 days after sowing.
Carrots grow well in containers that are at least 1 inches in diameter
Cauliflower
Seeds will take 7-10 days to germinate.
Sow ½ inch deep and 2 inches apart. Row spacing is three feet. 65-70 days to harvest. Sow in well-worked stone-free soil after frost has passed; thin seedlings when they are 4-6 inches high with final spacing 2 feet apart.
You can start indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost.
Kale
Seeds can take 6-12 days to germinate.
Seeds can be sown directly in the garden in groups of 3 seeds every 10-12 inches. Thin when seedlings are 3 inches tall, with just one seedling per group.
You can start seeds indoors 2 inches apart and ½ in deep.
Keep moist and provide intense light until seedlings are 3-4 inches tall.
Transplant outside 10-12 inches apart. Kale tastes best in cool weather, so sow it in early spring and then in late summer for the fall through winter harvest.
Harvest outer leaves when plants have 6-8 leaves. Pull plants completely once they begin to bloom.
Kohlrabi
Seeds take 3-5 days to germinate.
Direct sow seeds after the last frost or start inside 6-8 weeks before the last frost.
Kohlrabi takes 55-60 days to maturity.
Plants should be 10 inches apart. Bulbs grow to 2-3” across with a sweet cabbage-like flavor. Plants will grow 9-12 inches tall.
Leeks
Seeds will germinate sporadically over 2-3 weeks.
Seedlings grow slowly.
These seeds are best started indoors. Sow seeds 1 inch apart and cover 1/2 inch deep.
Firm soil over seeds. Keep moist and provide good light.
When seedlings are 3-4 inches tall, transplant 4-6 inches apart in full sun. Plant in early spring.
Harvest as slim babies to steam whole or grill. Fully mature leeks can be dug up as needed. Use leeks as you would sweet onions.
Seeds can be started directly outside in well-worked soil and full sun. Space seeds 1 inch apart and rows 8-10 inches apart. Keep soil moist.
Lettuce
There are two kinds of lettuce. Leaf (Cut and Come Again) or Head Lettuce.
Leaf Lettuce
Seeds will take 7-10 days to germinate. Direct sow as soon as the soil is workable.
Seeds can be started indoors. Plant 4-6 inches apart and ¼ inch deep. 50 days to maturity. Lettuce is cold-tolerant.
Head Lettuce
Seeds will take 7-20 days to germinate. Plant 1/4 inch deep, 1 inch apart, and rows should be 18 inches apart, depending on the variety. Thin seedlings to 10-12 inches apart when they are 2-3 inches high.
Lettuce bolts (goes to seed) in hot weather
Mustard Greens
It is recommended to direct sow these seeds.
Broadcast seeds about 1/an inch apart and cover with ¼ inch soil and firm over seeds. Keep soil moist.
Plants will thrive in mild weather with consistent moisture. Harvest by cut and come again method. Wait until seedlings are 4-6 inches tall. Cut as much as needed. Leave the leaves 1-2 inches above ground.
Peas
Seeds will take 6-15 days to germinate.
Start seeds outside, in full sun and fertile soil.
Sow seeds 1 inch apart and 2-4 inches deep. Rows should be 2 feet apart. Plants will need support as they grow 1.5-2 ft vines.
Harvest when peas are mature, round, thick-walled, and juicy for the best flavor.
Radish
Seeds will take 7-10 days to germinate.
Sow seeds in sunny locations as soon as the soil can be worked with. Sow ¼ inch deep and ½-1 inch apart.
Rows should be 6-12 inches apart.
Harvest in 20-30 days.
Thin seedlings are when they are 2 inches high with final spacing 1-2 inches apart. Keep them moist, or they will get hot in flavor.
Red Vein Sorrel
Seeds will take 7-14 days to germinate.
Start indoors 2-3 weeks before the last frost or Direct Sow 6-8 weeks before the previous FALL frost.
Plants are very cold tolerant. Red vein sorrel can be harvested in 50 days.
Plant 8 inches apart, and plants will get 3-6 inches tall. Harvest single leaves as needed.
Scallions
Seeds can take 1-2 weeks to germinate.
Direct sow seeds in well-worked soil and be sure they will receive plenty of sun.
Space seeds 1 inch apart and rows 8-10 inches wide. Cover ½ inch deep and firm soil well. Keep soil moist.
Thin 1-2 inches apart. It is best if harvested at 10-12 inches tall or before they send up bloom stalks.
Spinach
Seeds will germinate in 7-14 days
Direct sow 3-4 weeks before the last frost.
Spinach is ready to harvest in 50 days.
Plants should be spaced 4-6 inches apart. Harvest when the plants have 5-6 leaves.
Only harvest up to 25% at a time so the plant continues to produce.
Swiss chard
Seeds will take 7-14 days to germinate.
Sow seeds outdoors when the hard frost is over. Sow in full sun 1/2 inch deep, 2 inches apart, and row 10 inches apart. Firm soil well to ensure germination.
Thin when seedlings are large enough to handle.
Final spacing should be 12-18 inches apart.
Hello.
Good luck 🙂