Vegetables to Plan During Spring Q&A

Q: When is the best time for spring planting?

A: Most spring vegetables to grow should be planted as soon as the soil can be worked in the springtime, which is often 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost. Hardy crops like peas and spinach can handle cooler soil, while others may need to wait until the ground warms slightly.

Q: Which are the easiest spring vegetables for beginners?

A: The radish, peas and sugar snap peas, and various leafy greens like lettuce are widely considered the easiest spring vegetables. This is because they have a short growing season, grow quickly from seed, and generally face fewer pest issues than summer crops.

Q: How can a spring garden be protected from a late frost?

A: If a frost is predicted after spring planting has begun, cover the garden beds with a frost blanket, burlap, or even old bedsheets overnight. This traps the radiant heat from the soil and protects tender bright green leaves from freezing. Be sure to remove the covers the next morning once temperatures rise.

How do I stop my lettuce from being bitter?

Bitterness is usually caused by heat. When the temperature rises, the plant thinks it is time to reproduce and produces seeds (bolting). To prevent this, keep your salad garden well watered, use mulch to keep the soil cool, and provide some shade during the hottest part of the day.

Can I grow these in a "salad bowl" on a balcony?

Absolutely! Most leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, and arugula have shallow roots and thrive in containers. Just make sure the bowl has drainage holes and you use good potting soil.

What is "succession planting"?

Succession planting means you sow seeds every 1 to 2 weeks instead of all at once. This ensures that when one batch of lettuce is finished, a new batch of young leaves is ready to harvest, giving you a constant supply of fresh greens.

Q: Do I need a heater for my greenhouse?

A: It depends on what you want to grow. If you want to grow plants year-round in a cold climate, a greenhouse heater is necessary. If you just want to extend the growing season by a few weeks, an unheated greenhouse is usually fine.

Q: Is a glass greenhouse better than a polycarbonate one?

A: Glass is beautiful and lasts forever, but it’s heavy and can break. Polycarbonate is a great option for beginners because it’s shatterproof and provides better insulation (retaining heat inside the greenhouse better).

Q: How do I stop my greenhouse from overheating?

A: Use shade cloth, open all greenhouse ventilation points, and consider a solar-powered fan to keep the greenhouse air moving.

Q: Can I grow vegetables in the winter?

A: Yes! By using a greenhouse, you can grow cold-hardy crops like kale, carrots, and leeks throughout the winter, even without a heater, as long as you provide some extra insulation.