Since spring is just around the corner for many of us, it makes sense to do a spring vegetable list for all beginner gardeners out there.
If you were running out of spring planting ideas, this article should help you with that.
So, without wasting any more time, let’s dive right into the good stuff, shall we?
Vegetables For Your Spring Garden
1: Lettuce
Lettuce is one of the many leafy greens that I’ve repeatedly mentioned in many of my articles. It grows super fast and, fortunately for lettuce lovers, can be harvested multiple times during the harvesting season.
Lettuce prefers cool weather and partial shade for the best growth. Please DO NOT put it out under direct sunlight as the heat may damage this leafy green.
2: Spinach
Spinach is known for its hardiness and ability to withstand chilly temperatures without much trouble. This slightly bitter, earthy leafy green is super nutrient dense and is best grown in early spring before the heat sets in. Heat can damage spinach plants and cause them to bolt.
3: Radishes
For everyone looking to add some color and “pop” to their lifeless spring garden, planting radishes may be a good idea. These vegetables grow on the surface of the soil and their leafy growth sticks out, giving the lower extremities of the garden some visual appeal.
Radishes are ready to harvest in no more than 3-4 weeks, making them perfect for impatient gardeners.
4: Carrots
Carrots thrive in loose, well-drained soil but don’t actually need a lot of love or care to grow optimally.
Simply plant them in the cool-weather, fertilize from time to time, let them undergo a light frost, and you’ll have delicious, sweet carrots to enjoy. The last bit is quite important when it comes to growing the best tasting carrots.
5: Peas
Peas are known for cool-weather growth and they thrive in spring temperature conditions, especially sugar snap peas. One thing you must ensure, however, is providing your peas with a sturdy trellis that supports their vertical growth.
6: Green Onions
Green onions, also known as scallions, are relatively low-maintenance compared to some of the other plants on this list. The great thing about these is that they can easily regrow from scraps and are pretty much ready to harvest in just a few weeks of planting.
7: Kale
Although I don’t find kale the most pleasant tasting and there are much better tasting leafy greens out there for me, its hardiness is definitely respectable. Kale is rich in nutrients and can produce leaves for months on end if harvested a certain way every time.
8: Zucchini
In my family of gardeners, zucchini is super popular for its incredibly large yields. Combine that with its rapid growth and you’ve got yourself a super productive spring vegetable.
One thing to keep in mind with zucchini is that it’ll usually start to thrive once the weather begins warming up.
9: Beets
Another incredibly productive vegetable for spring planting is the beet. Beets grow both edible roots and leafy greens, meaning no parts of the vegetable go to waste. Depending on how you like your beets, you can plant them around springtime in the cool weather for a sweeter taste.
10: Bush Beans
One thing you’ll notice about bush beans, especially, is that they grow very quick and don’t take up a lot of space, making them a good option for gardeners who may be tight on space. They produce a steady supply of beans through spring and summer, allowing you to enjoy harvests and store them as you go.
Conclusion
The conclusion for this one is pretty simple: if you’re a beginner in gardening, stick to the simple plants and vegetables that just work.
Take season and weather conditions into account and you’re on your way to growing some solid vegetables that will give you fulfilling yields.
Hi Rita, your information is so informative. Especially for beginner gardeners. I live in zone 3-4 and you mention many vegetables that can be planted in March (peas, lettuce, green onions and beans). It is still a bit cold here, do you recommend that I start growing the above mentioned in doors? We typically start to plant our gardens on the long weekend of May.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sheila M
Hi Sheila! 😊 I’m so glad you found the information helpful!
Since your growing season starts later, you can start peas, lettuce, and green onions indoors in late March or early April if temperatures are still below 40°F (4°C). Beans, however, don’t transplant well, so it’s best to wait and direct sow them when soil temps reach at least 55-60°F (13-16°C).
For indoor starts, use seed trays or small pots with good light, and harden off your seedlings before planting them outside in May. Hope this helps. Happy gardening! 🌱✨