10 Cool Weather Vegetables for Spring Gardens

Winter is a time of rest, with many of us leaving our gardens fallow or letting cover crops enrich the soil. We might have spent some time doing maintenance or focusing on planning for the growing season to come, but most of us were spending a lot of time indoors, keeping away from the cold. Once days start to warm and spring is in the air, something changes, and the urge to begin gardening grows!

Spring garden with swiss chard and marigolds

Time to Plant Spring Vegetables

Early spring planting is a great way to get a jump on gardening. Before your last frost date, it’s too early to start any crops that can’t handle a cold snap. Luckily, there are plenty of options and easy-to-grow plants that can handle a little bit of chill and get you in the swing of gardening again.

Our Top Spring Vegetables to Grow

Sugar Snap Peas

These tasty treats grow best in cooler weather under 85°, so getting them in the ground in spring is a great idea.

Kale

This superfood is easy to grow and tastes even sweeter when it has been kissed by frost.

Cabbage

Many types of cabbages can sunburn in hot weather, but they are crisp and delicious when grown in cool weather.

Learn How to Grow Cabbage from Seed

Arugula

This spicy green is tasty and tender in spring and ready to harvest in just 6-8 weeks. Arugula does well in containers which you can bring indoors once it gets too hot.

Beets

Nutritious and colorful beets can add some fresh flavor in a relatively short time. If it’s still a little cold in your area, you can start them in a cold frame or indoors 5-6 weeks before the last frost.

The Best Way to Grow Beets

Radishes

Cool weather is the best for the most tender and flavorful radishes. They mature quickly, so plant them in succession to always have plenty of crunch and flavor in your spring salads.

Radish Growing Tips

Lettuce

Speaking of salad, what about the ultimate green leafy vegetable? A salad fresh from the garden beats anything you can buy at the store in a bag.

Grow Lettuce From Seed

Broccoli

Cole crops of all varieties are good cool weather choices, and broccoli is definitely at the top of the list for flavor and nutrition.

Broccoli Growing Tips

Kohlrabi

This tender vegetable can withstand light frost and prefers milder temps, so early spring is a perfect time to plant.

How to Grow Kohlrabi

Turnips

Turnips are an excellent spring crop. The seeds will germinate in soil temperatures of 55 - 75ºF. They thrive in cool soil.

Our growing guides for these spring vegetables will help you go from seed to harvest.

And if you want to get growing indoors, our guide to starting seeds indoors will get you off to a successful start.

With this list of spring vegetables to grow, you'll be ready to enjoy a delicious and fresh harvest before the heat of summer. Grab your seeds and start planting.

Happy Spring Gardening!

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