Blooming flowers bursting with aromatic notes, morning dew on freshly budded blades of grass, daybreak’s warm hue and hopeful glow: springtime has arrived. In addition to the newfound energy in the air during this season, spring’s greatest gift is more time to spend outdoors, whether it is on solo walks, playgrounds with our little ones, or in the garden tending our greens.
Gardening may seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Follow these easy tips and choose the right seeds to sow to create a beautiful experience with therapeutic benefits.
Selecting which seeds best fit your garden (and expectations) can take some thinking. Here are a few great options to get you started that offer rewarding yields! Keep in mind, these are outstanding seed options for spring, but some seeds thrive during specific times of the year, so stay tuned for other seasons’ favorites.
Potatoes
- When To Sow: As soon as the ground is workable, usually referred to as following “the last frost”
- Good For: Beginners, Yield-Seekers, Potato Salad Lovers
- Why We Love It: Potatoes are an inexpensive seed/garden option that requires little care beyond a sunny spot with normal to high acidity soil and some water. Those looking for quick turnaround time on their seeds should check out “new” potato seedlings, available at your local gardening or hardware store.
Lettuce
- When To Sow: Early to Mid Spring
- Good For: Beginners, Greenery Lovers, Impatient Gardeners
- Why We Love It: Lettuces can be a staple of any spring or summer dish and within just a few weeks after planting, you’ll begin to see some results. The quick growth time on these healthy leaves is an excellent foundation for your garden, particularly if you’re just getting going. Remember, lettuce loves water and lots of it.
Carrots
- When To Sow: Very Early Spring, three weeks before last frost (carrots can tolerate frost, but the ground has to be unfrozen to allow for loose and nutrient-rich soil)
- Good For: Families, Spring Enthusiasts, Full Sun Gardens
- Why We Love It: Carrots are exceptionally tolerant of colder temperatures and actually should be sown three to five weeks before the true onset of spring. This makes them an outstanding option for those who can’t wait inside any longer. Because carrots are usually deemed acceptable by young children, they are also a great option to grow at home!
Swiss Chard
- When to Sow: Mid-Spring depending on location, daytime temperatures should be above 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Good For: Intermediate Gardeners, Full Sun Gardens, Superfood Lovers
- Why We Love It: Swiss Chard is a stunningly colorful addition to any garden, making them exceptional for those whose garden space is highly visible. In addition to their popping colors, they are a versatile addition to tons of recipes from pizza to soup. These greens prefer acidic soil and full sun (although they will grow in partial sun). They can take a bit to grow, so they aren’t fabulous for the impatient gardener.
Cauliflower
- When To Sow: Very Early to Early Spring
- Good For: Intermediate Gardeners, Salad Lovers,
- Why We Love It: Cauliflower can be sown up to five weeks before the last frost, but as late as around mid-March, making them a great way to ring in springtime gardening habits. The nutrient-rich superfood is a cousin of cabbage and usually produces yields in about 10 weeks. Fall harvests sometimes are more bountiful than spring harvests, but both tend to do well. A word of caution for beginners delving into cauliflower, though: these guys do not like their environment disturbed while growing and will tolerate very little interference, so they are best suited for the solo gardener who has full reign over their garden!
Enjoy these springtime options as we ring in the warmer season and remind ourselves of our constant growth and improvement! Happy gardening!
