Happy New Year.
A new year always feels like a fresh start, and for gardeners, it is also the perfect time to dive head first into planning the spring garden. While the ground may not be ready everywhere just yet, this is the season for mapping out what you want to grow, learning your planting windows, and setting yourself up for a successful year in the garden.
Before seeds ever touch soil, the most important step is understanding your local frost dates. They serve as the foundation for deciding when to plant and help remove much of the guesswork that comes with gardening. Thoughtful planning now leads to healthier plants, better harvests, and far less frustration later.
From here, we will walk through beginner-friendly crops you can start from seed this spring and how to grow them together in one garden bed.
Leaf Lettuce
Leaf lettuce is one of the easiest vegetables to grow in early spring. It thrives in cooler temperatures and tolerates light frost, making it ideal for planting before your last frost date. Lettuce seeds need light to germinate, so sow them very shallow. Sprinkle seeds on the soil surface and cover lightly with about one quarter inch of soil.
Lettuce grows best in loose, well-draining soil that stays consistently moist. In warmer regions, providing partial or afternoon shade helps slow bolting as temperatures rise.
Succession plant lettuce every two to three weeks to maintain a steady harvest throughout spring.
When to plant
2 to 4 weeks before your last frost date
Continue planting until temperatures consistently exceed about 75°F
Most common pest
Aphids
Helpful companion plant
Chives, which can help deter aphids when planted nearby
Feed lettuce with a nitrogen-forward fertilizer applied at the base every three weeks during the growing season.
Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is a hardy leafy green that performs well in early spring and continues producing as temperatures warm. It tolerates light frost and is more heat-tolerant than lettuce, making it a reliable option for beginners.
Swiss chard seeds are seed clusters. Soaking them overnight before planting helps improve germination. Plant seeds about one half to one inch deep and thin seedlings after emergence to avoid overcrowding.
Harvest outer leaves regularly to encourage continued growth.
When to plant
2 to 3 weeks before your last frost date
Continues growing well into late spring
Most common pest
Aphids
Helpful companion plant
Chives, which help reduce aphid pressure around tender greens
Peas
Peas are a classic cool-season crop and one of the earliest vegetables to plant in spring. Sugar snap peas and snow peas thrive in cooler temperatures and should be planted early enough to mature before heat arrives.
Soak seeds overnight before planting to improve germination. Sow about one inch deep and provide a trellis or support for climbing.
When to plant
4 to 6 weeks before your last frost date
Most common pest
Aphids
Helpful companion plant
Nasturtiums, which can attract aphids away from pea vines
Peas are legumes and do not require fertilizer.
Radish
Radishes are one of the fastest-growing vegetables, making them especially encouraging for new gardeners. Many varieties mature in as little as 21 to 30 days.
Plant seeds about one half inch deep in loose soil and thin seedlings early to ensure proper root development.
When to plant
4 to 6 weeks before your last frost date
Succession plant every 2 to 3 weeks while temperatures remain cool
Most common pest
Flea beetles
Helpful companion plant
Nasturtiums, which can act as a distraction crop
Radishes perform best in soil that is not overly rich in nitrogen.
Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums add both beauty and function to the spring garden. They are commonly used as a trap crop, attracting pests like aphids away from nearby vegetables.
Nasturtiums in a Vego Garden Raised Bed
The entire plant is edible. Leaves and flowers have a peppery, watercress-like flavor, and immature seed pods can be pickled as a caper substitute.
Soak seeds overnight before planting. Direct sow about one inch deep and plant only two to three seeds per area, as nasturtiums grow vigorously once established.
When to plant
After your last frost date
Most common pest
Aphids
Helpful companion plant
Vegetable crops in general, as nasturtiums are most effective when planted near plants you want to protect
Chives
Chives are a hardy, low-maintenance herb that fits seamlessly into beginner gardens. They tolerate cool temperatures and light frost.
Soak seeds for several hours before planting to improve germination. Sow seeds shallowly, about one quarter inch deep, in well-draining soil.
When to plant
2 to 4 weeks before your last frost date
Can also be planted shortly after the last frost
Most common pest
Aphids
Helpful companion plant
Leafy greens, especially lettuce and Swiss chard
Sample Spring Garden Bed Layout
The great thing about these crops is that you can grow all of them together in one garden bed. They share similar planting windows, compatible growing conditions, and benefit from intentional companion planting.
Below, I have created a sample garden bed layout to help you plan and visualize your spring garden. Use this layout as a guide and adjust spacing based on your bed size, climate, and how much food you want to harvest.
Gardening does not have to be complicated. When you use frost dates, choose beginner-friendly vegetables, and plant with purpose, you set yourself up for success from the very beginning.
Spring Garden Bed Layout Using the Garden Planner App
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