Spring Vegetable Gardening: Early Crops and Family Fun

Spring planting (February-March) suits cool-season crops: beets, asparagus, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, kohlrabi, endive, onions, mustard, potatoes, rhubarb, radish, rutabaga, turnips, and spinach.

Spring Planting Strategies

Plant kale, rape, and mustard together for simultaneous harvest. Pinch mustard buds at 2 inches for higher yields. Mulch with straw after planting to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Start heat-lovers (peppers, tomatoes, eggplant) indoors until soil warms.

Gardening with Children

Involve kids in every step: weeding together, choosing seeds at the garden center, watering, and watching growth. It teaches patience and food awareness. After spring harvest, fertilize and replant for fall crops.

Summer gardens benefit from evenly spaced rows. Research summer-specific tips for continued success across seasons.