Early spring is a great time to start planting your seeds, as the weather is warming up and the soil is moist. However, not all seeds are suitable for early spring planting, as some may need more heat, light, or time to germinate and grow. Therefore, it is important to plan ahead and select the right seeds for your garden and your climate. Here are some tips and ideas for choosing and planting your seeds in early spring.
Key takeaways
| What to consider | What to choose | What to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Your climate and frost date | Seeds that can tolerate cold and frost, such as peas, lettuce, and radishes | Seeds that need warm and frost-free conditions, such as tomatoes, peppers, and melons |
| Your soil type and pH | Seeds that can grow in your soil type and pH, such as carrots, beans, and sunflowers | Seeds that need a different soil type or pH, such as blueberries, potatoes, and lavender |
| Your garden space and layout | Seeds that can fit in your garden space and layout, such as spinach, basil, and nasturtiums | Seeds that need more space or a different layout, such as corn, squash, and pumpkins |
| Your planting method and time | Seeds that can be sown directly in the ground or in containers, such as kale, cilantro, and marigolds | Seeds that need to be started indoors or transplanted, such as broccoli, parsley, and petunias |
Choose seeds that can tolerate cold and frost
One of the main factors to consider when selecting seeds for early spring planting is your climate and frost date. The frost date is the average date of the last frost in your area, which can vary depending on your location and elevation. You can find your frost date by using a calculator or a map.
Some seeds can tolerate cold and frost, and can be planted before or around your frost date. These seeds are usually hardy, fast-growing, and short-season, and can produce crops in spring or early summer. Some examples of seeds that can tolerate cold and frost are:
- Peas: Peas are one of the earliest crops to plant in spring, as they can germinate in soil temperatures as low as 40°F (4°C). Peas can also withstand light frosts, and can produce pods in 50 to 70 days. Peas come in different types, such as shelling, snap, and snow, and can be grown on trellises, fences, or poles.
- Lettuce: Lettuce is another early spring crop, as it can germinate in soil temperatures as low as 35°F (2°C). Lettuce can also tolerate light frosts, and can be harvested in 30 to 60 days. Lettuce comes in different varieties, such as leaf, head, and romaine, and can be grown in beds, containers, or salad boxes.
- Radishes: Radishes are one of the fastest and easiest crops to grow in spring, as they can germinate in soil temperatures as low as 40°F (4°C). Radishes can also tolerate light frosts, and can be harvested in 20 to 40 days. Radishes come in different shapes, sizes, and colors, such as round, cylindrical, white, red, or purple, and can be grown in rows, containers, or intercropped with other plants.
Choose seeds that can grow in your soil type and pH
Another factor to consider when selecting seeds for early spring planting is your soil type and pH. The soil type is the texture and composition of your soil, such as sandy, clay, or loamy. The soil pH is the acidity or alkalinity of your soil, measured on a scale from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. You can find your soil type and pH by using a kit or a meter.
Some seeds can grow in any soil type and pH, while others may need a specific soil type or pH to thrive. For example, carrots, beans, and sunflowers can grow in most soil types and pH levels, while blueberries, potatoes, and lavender need acidic, well-drained, and sandy soil. Here are some examples of seeds that can grow in different soil types and pH levels:
- Sandy soil: Sandy soil is light and coarse, and has a low water and nutrient retention. Sandy soil can be improved by adding organic matter, such as compost, manure, or leaf mould, to increase its moisture and fertility. Some seeds that can grow in sandy soil are:
- Cucumbers: Cucumbers are warm-season crops that can germinate in soil temperatures as high as 95°F (35°C). Cucumbers can tolerate sandy soil, as long as they are watered and fertilized regularly. Cucumbers can produce fruits in 50 to 70 days, and can be grown on trellises, cages, or hills.
- Lavender: Lavender is a perennial herb that can germinate in soil temperatures as low as 40°F (4°C). Lavender prefers sandy soil, as it needs good drainage and aeration. Lavender can produce flowers in the first or second year, and can be grown in beds, borders, or containers.
- Carrots: Carrots are cool-season crops that can germinate in soil temperatures as low as 45°F (7°C). Carrots can grow well in sandy soil, as it allows their roots to grow long and straight. Carrots can be harvested in 60 to 80 days, and can be grown in rows, containers, or raised beds.
- Clay soil: Clay soil is heavy and sticky, and has a high water and nutrient retention. Clay soil can be improved by adding organic matter, such as compost, manure, or leaf mould, to loosen and aerate it. Some seeds that can grow in clay soil are:
- Kale: Kale is a cold-hardy crop that can germinate in soil temperatures as low as 40°F (4°C). Kale can grow in clay soil, as it can benefit from its moisture and nutrients. Kale can be harvested in 50 to 70 days, and can be grown in beds, containers, or intercropped with other plants.
- Roses: Roses are perennial flowers that can germinate in soil temperatures as low as 40°F (4°C). Roses can adapt to clay soil, as long as they are mulched and pruned regularly. Roses can produce flowers in the first or second year, and can be grown in beds, borders, or pots.
- Beans: Beans are warm-season crops that can germinate in soil temperatures as high as 85°F (29°C). Beans can tolerate clay soil, as long as they are watered and fertilized moderately. Beans can produce pods in 50 to 80 days, and can be grown on poles, stakes,
- or rows.
- Loamy soil: Loamy soil is a balanced and fertile soil, that has a good water and nutrient retention, and aeration. Loamy soil is ideal for most plants, and can be maintained by adding organic matter, such as compost, manure, or leaf mould, to replenish its nutrients. Some seeds that can grow in loamy soil are:
- Tomatoes: Tomatoes are warm-season crops that can germinate in soil temperatures as high as 95°F (35°C). Tomatoes can thrive in loamy soil, as it provides them with enough moisture and nutrients. Tomatoes can produce fruits in 60 to 90 days, and can be grown on cages, stakes, or pots.
- Sunflowers: Sunflowers are annual flowers that can germinate in soil temperatures as high as 70°F (21°C). Sunflowers can flourish in loamy soil, as it supports their growth and flowering. Sunflowers can produce seeds in 80 to 120 days, and can be grown in beds, borders, or containers.
- Peppers: Peppers are warm-season crops that can germinate in soil temperatures as high as 95°F (35°C). Peppers can prosper in loamy soil, as it offers them enough moisture and nutrients. Peppers can produce fruits in 60 to 100 days, and can be grown on cages, stakes, or pots.
