As a beginner, it can be challenging to identify the best seeds to plant in spring. Nonetheless, you can always consult a gardening professional or conduct thorough research regarding this.
Remember, each plant is different; hence has unique growing conditions. Understanding the growing conditions that work for each plant is essential for a gardener.
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This way, you’ll be able to know the best seeds to grow during spring, summer, autumn, and winter. In this article, we look at the ideal seeds to plant in spring.
The Best Seeds to Plant in Spring
- Lettuce
One of the recommended seeds to plant in spring is lettuce seeds. Lettuce is a popular vegetable among most homeowners. It is often used to make salads and side dishes. However, growing this vegetable is not a walk in the park.
This green vegetable usually grows best in cooler temperatures. Thus, it is advisable to plant it during spring. There are different lettuce varieties you can grow in spring. Some include romaine, iceberg, and butterhead lettuce.
Typically, lettuce matures one month after germination. However, you can always pick it before the maturity due date. It can be challenging to choose the right lettuce variety to grow.
So, ensure you understand the texture, color, and flavor of the lettuce variety you choose to grow. Lettuce seeds require maximum sunlight and moisture to germinate. Pruning is also essential if you want to grow healthy and strong lettuce.
- Brassicas
Another seed to plant in spring is brassicas. Brassicas are leafy greens like kale and collards. They don’t take long to mature, and you can always harvest them while they are still growing.
After planting the seeds, you can start harvesting after a month. When growing brassicas, ensure they obtain maximum sunlight and moisture.
- Spring radishes
Generally, there are summer, spring, and winter radishes. Winter radishes are grown during winter and incorporate the most extended growth period. On the flip side, spring radishes are best grown during spring.
They grow within a short period and are also known as salad radishes. Homeowners prefer eating them raw, but you can always cook them if you want to.
After planting spring radishes, they sprout only after a few days and mature after three weeks. Thus, you can have them on your plate in less than a month.
Leaving spring radishes for too long after maturity makes them woody. Therefore, it is essential to harvest all spring radishes in time.
Sowing spring radishes is quite simple since the seeds are tiny. All you need to do is create a hole using a chopstick on the ground. Insert the seed and cover it lightly with high-quality soil.
- Potatoes
The best time to grow potatoes is during spring. Potatoes grow best in loose soil with excellent water retention and drainage system.
Typically, potatoes love cooler temperatures; but this does not mean they can survive in freezing temperatures.
When grown in hot temperatures, potatoes won’t be able to grow very well. Therefore, it would be best to plant potatoes immediately after winter, the beginning of spring.
- Beets
Unlike most spring vegetables, beets need slightly warmer temperatures for a start. Beets require sufficient nitrogen levels for healthier foliage. Additionally, beets grow in high-quality soil that is rich in nutrients.
Always use nitrogen-rich compost when growing beets. So, use green compost from your compost bin since it is likely to be high in nitrogen. Also, note that beets grow best when directly planted in the garden.
- Turnips
Turnip seeds also grow well when planted in spring. These vegetables are incredibly delicious, and you can use them to make a broad spectrum of meals. They grow well in cool temperatures. Therefore, spring is the best time to start planting these vegetables.
- Swiss Chard
Swiss chard also grows well when planted in spring. Aside from being highly nutritious, these vegetables add excellent aesthetics to your garden. They grow best in temperatures of 50 degrees Fahrenheit. There are different varieties of Swiss chard you can grow. Regardless of the variety, always plant them directly on the ground.
- Legumes
Legumes are relatively beginner-friendly crops that grow well when planted in spring. Some of the best legumes you can grow in spring include peas and beans.
Legumes usually take a few days to germinate and mature in about two to three months. Nonetheless, you can always harvest them before they mature, as long as the pods appear and are edible. Always plant legumes at the start of spring so that you take advantage of the cool weather before summer begins.
Some gardeners always end up planting legumes lightly before spring begins. The problem with doing this is that the seeds always take longer to germinate in winter temperatures.
Even so, you can always soak the seeds to fasten the germination process. It is always advisable to grow legumes when the temperatures are a bit warmer. Plant seeds in approximately one-inch-sized holes and cover lightly with soil.
Note that beans and peas often require a trial or vertical structure to climb since they can grow up to six feet long.
- Basil
Basil is one of the best herbs you can grow in spring. You can either grow them from seeds or cuttings. Choose whatever works best for you. Basil thrives in cooler temperatures.
Basil serves as an excellent companion crop since it attracts pollinators when it flowers. There is a wide range of basil varieties you can grow in your garden.
Another advantage of growing basil is that it produces a particular smell that helps you get rid of mosquitoes, flies and gnats in your garden. So, consider growing basil in your garden.
Growing basil requires you to spread the seeds across the soil and cover them lightly. Basil takes approximately seven days to germinate. This period fluctuates depending on the weather; the warmer the climate, the shorter the germination process. After germination, plants take approximately two to three months to mature.
- Summer squash
Summer squash is also another plant you should consider growing in spring. Summer squash always produces a plentiful harvest. Unlike winter squash, summer squash grows best when planted during spring.
Like most plants, summer squash matures after two to three months. Of course, the maturity period depends on the climatic conditions of your area. Ensure you pick all your summer squash after they mature.
Leaving them in the garden for too long is not advisable since they won’t be fit for consumption. Planting summer squash requires you to place the seeds one inch deep into the soil.
Then, cover them lightly and water the soil. The seeds germinate quickly when the temperatures are 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cucumbers
Cucumbers are also another top pick for planting in spring. Cucumbers come in a wide range of varieties. They have the same growing requirements as summer squash.
Thus, they germinate best at temperatures ranging from 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Once you place the seeds one inch deep into the soil, cover them lightly and give them time to germinate. Cucumbers grow large; therefore, maintain a distance of six inches between each cucumber.
Tips for growing healthy plants in spring
If you want your plants to grow healthy, you need to incorporate certain practices. Some of these practices include:
Using compost: Applying or compost or decomposed leaf mold to your garden is an excellent way of adding nutrients to your plants. Compost usually comprises organic matter that breaks down into the soil to provide nutrients.
Composting your garden thoroughly also helps you prevent the growth of weeds. Some of the best materials you can use to make your compost include straw, grass clippings, and peat moss.
Use pest and disease prevention methods: It is crucial to ensure that your garden is free from pests and diseases. Currently, there is a broad spectrum of pest and disease control prevention methods you can use for your garden.
Keep in mind that pests and diseases can destroy your plants completely. Using organic pesticides is a great way of reducing bugs in your garden.
Clean the garden in the fall: If you plan to grow your plants in spring, start cleaning up your garden during the fall. Doing this helps you keep your garden clean and get rid of pests and diseases in your garden.
Diseases can linger on debris and dead leaves, hence end up affecting your new growth in spring. Some of the most common diseases that can attack your plants during spring include black spots and daylily leaf streaks.
Use the correct fertilizer: Fertilizers are good for promoting healthy plant growth. Nevertheless, you have to use the right fertilizer to avoid damaging your plants.
Also, when using fertilizer, you have to follow all the usage guidelines to avoid burning your plants. Fertilizers offer nutrients to plants. Hence, they foster strong and healthy growth of plants.
Before applying fertilizer to your soil, ensure you know the nutrients present in your soil. Use a test kit or take a soil sample to gardening professionals in your local garden store.
Choose plant disease-resistant varieties: At times, it is advisable to focus on planting disease-resistant varieties. Such plants are usually resistant to pests and diseases. However, some of these plants may get sick. They will fight the disease better. Tomatoes are one of the most popular disease-resistant varieties.
Always consult a gardening professional on the best disease-resistant varieties to grow in your garden. Unfortunately, you cannot identify whether a plant is resistant to diseases by simply looking at it.
You have to know the characteristics of the plant before you brand it as disease-resistant. Online research can also help you find the best disease-resistant plant varieties to grow. Moreover, consider reading catalogs and books to identify disease-resistant plants.
Start your spring garden
More often than not, spring is the best time to plant seeds. During this time, the temperatures are cooler but warmer than in winter. Also, the temperatures continue rising as summer approaches.
There is a broad spectrum of plant varieties you can choose to grow during spring. Some include cucumber, legumes, beets, turnips, and radishes.
Regardless of the crop you choose to grow, ensure you maintain the best planting practices to promote healthy plant growth.