Thursday, April 26, 2012

Vegetables for early spring

My vegetable garden is almost ready to plant......last year we had such a cold wet spring the even though I planted my green beans under hoops covered with plastic they still froze and I had to plant them again......This year I really don't think that will be a problem. Im chompping at the bit!!!
I can't wait to get started. I found this website that had a list of early spring vegetables to plant....I'M READY!!!  Now it's raining.........

Vegetables for early spring

Vegetables for early spring

Basket of carrots

Even under quick hoops, you won't want to plant frost-sensitive vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers anytime soon. However, there is still a wide selection of crops to choose from for your spring garden. I've highlighted the easiest ones in the chart below.








VegetableStart from:Notes
BeetsSeedsBeet seeds can sometimes be difficult to germinate. As with other root crops, beets need loose, loamy soil.
BroccoliTransplants The more advanced gardener can start her own seedlings either inside or in a quick hoop. Otherwise, buy sets from the local feed store when night temperatures have risen into the high 20s to low 30s Fahrenheit.
Brussels sproutsTransplants The more advanced gardener can start her own seedlings either inside or in a quick hoop. Otherwise, buy sets from the local feed store when night temperatures have risen into the high 20s to low 30s Fahrenheit.
CabbageTransplants The more advanced gardener can start her own seedlings either inside or in a quick hoop. Otherwise, buy sets from the local feed store when night temperatures have risen into the high 20s to low 30s Fahrenheit.
CarrotsSeedsWell-drained, loamy soil is mandatory. Carrots are slow-growers, so weed carefully to give the seedlings breathing room.
CauliflowerTransplants The more advanced gardener can start her own seedlings either inside or in a quick hoop. Otherwise, buy sets from the local feed store when night temperatures have risen into the high 20s to low 30s Fahrenheit.
CollardsSeedsSpring greens are some of the easiest vegetables to grow. In addition to collards, spinach, and Swiss chard, consider trying some Asian greens for variety.
LeeksSeedsLeeks take a long time to grow, so I generally prefer the perennial Egyptian onions instead. As with other root crops, leeks need loose, loamy soil.
LettuceSeedsLeaf lettuce is my earliest harvest of the year because I always plant it under quick hoops. You can cut leaves within a month of planting, but be sure to seed a second bed as soon as you start eating the first --- lettuce becomes bitter within a few weeks of first harvest.
OnionsSeeds, sets, or transplants.Getting your onions to germinate out in the cold can be a bit tricky, so you may choose to start them inside or under quick hoops to ensure they have time to grow before summer heat stunts them. Select a variety appropriate for your day length (short day in the south and long day in the north.) Many gardeners simplify planting by buying sets (tiny bulbs) from the local feed store, but onions grown from sets usually don't store well.
ParsleySeedsParsley is grown very similarly to carrots, but you pick the leaves a few at a time for the next year rather than digging up the root.
PeasSeedsSoak your seeds overnight before planting to ensure they sprout quickly. Erect a trellis for them to grow on.
PotatoesCut up pieces of potato, each with two eyesHill up your potatoes by adding soil or dirt extending a few inches up the growing stem once the plant is about eight inches tall. This prevents the new tubers from being exposed to sunlight and turning green. If you're planting early into cold soil, consider cutting your seed potatoes a few weeks in advance and laying them out in a bright spot so they'll presprout.
RadishSeedsSome gardeners plant radish seeds in their carrot rows. The radishes come up quickly and mature before they compete with the slower-growing carrots.
SpinachSeedsI find that spinach plants usually bolt in the spring, so I generally focus on other varieties of leafy greens.
Swiss chardSeedsSwiss chard seeds can sometimes be difficult to germinate, but otherwise Swiss chard is perhaps the easiest green to grow and will keep producing all summer.
TurnipsSeedsLike other root crops, turnips prefer loamy, well-drained soil.

2 comments:

Sue said...

Wow Susan those are some beautiful carrots! Carrots are one of the hardest veggies for me to grow, I think it is because I am always late planting.Thanks for this chart! We have decided to not plant anything else until the first week in May, our weather has been so wish washy lately.
Enjoy your weekend, happy gardening.
Hugs,
Sue

Sue said...

Just checking in on you Susan, I have not been blogging to much lately , but wanted you to now I think of you and hope you are enjoying this season, you are probably like me sooo busy. ~lol~
Hugs,
Sue