Ordering Your Garden: First vegetables to sow for a productive plot
Thinking about starting a garden? Skip the rush and plant the right crops first! This guide covers what to plant during the chilly months to set your garden up for success all year round.
First Picks for Your Spring Garden
Wondering what to grow first? Get familiar with these cold-weather champions:
- Peas, Spinach & Radishes: These hardy plants can handle frost and even light freezing temperatures, making them perfect for early spring planting. Peas and spinach are quick to sprout, while radishes mature swiftly, ensuring an early harvest [1][4][3].
- Lettuce: Once the soil is workable (usually after peas and spinach), you can sow lettuce seeds. This versatile crop thrives in cool conditions [1][5].
- Kale and Broccoli: Kale can tolerate frost and be directly sown or started indoors for transplanting. Reserve broccoli seeds for indoor germination, then transplant after the seedlings have hardened off, as it matures more slowly [3][2].
- Carrots: Carrots can be planted early since they're fairly frost-tolerant. Direct sow them once the ground can be worked [3][5].
Timing is Everything: When to Plant Cool-Season Crops
For most temperate climates, plant cool-season crops 2-4 weeks before your final expected frost date. This allows your plants adequate time to establish themselves before the soil warms up too much [1]. Keep your local frost dates in mind when planning your spring garden.
Preparing Your Garden for Cool-Season Veggies
- Soil temperature: Aim for soil temperatures of at least 40-45°F to facilitate successful germination of your cool-season crops [1].
- Moisture Content: The soil should crumble easily when pressed, rather than forming a muddy mass [1].
- pH Levels: Most cool-season vegetables do best in well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0-7.0 [1].
Cool Season Crops and Planting Timeline
| Crop | Planting Time | Notes ||----------|---------------|--------------------------------------------|| Peas | 2-4 weeks B4F | Tolerates light frost, direct sow || Spinach | As soon as soil is workable| Quick to mature, direct sow || Lettuce | 1 week after peas/spinach | Prefers cool soil, direct sow or transplant || Radishes | Early spring | Fastest maturing, direct sow || Kale | Early spring | Tolerates cold, direct or transplant || Broccoli | Start indoors 2 months early | Transplant after hardening off || Carrots | Early spring | Direct sow, tolerant of frost |
Starting your garden with cold season crops early will help to maximize your growing season and minimize the risk of heat-related problems in the summer, which many cool-season crops cannot withstand [1][3][5]. Happy gardening!
[1] https://extension.psu.edu/planning-your-vegetable-garden[2] https://www.almanac.com/format/broccoli-cloud-dome[3] https://www.successwithwilson.com/blog/post/8-best-cool-weather-vegetable-crops-that-you-can-grow-for-a-fall-garden[4] https://www.thespruce.com/peas-as-early-spring-crops-3330651[5] https://www.thespruce.com/best-vegetables-to-grow-in-spring-3330601[6] https://www.almanac.com/format/feeds-radishes
- To ensure a successful garden all year round, consider starting with garden planning that incorporates cold-weather champions like peas, spinach, radishes, lettuce, kale, broccoli, and carrots.
- When deciding what to plant during the chilly months, opt for a garden planner that provides garden printables and guidance on seed starting.
- Timing is crucial for a successful garden; for most temperate climates, cool-season crops should be planted 2-4 weeks before the final expected frost date to allow enough time for growth.
- Before planting cool-season veggies, it's important to check the soil temperature, moisture content, and pH levels to create optimal conditions for germination. Happy gardening, and embrace this rewarding lifestyle that complements home-and-garden living.
