The days are getting longer, the sun feels warmer, and spring is finally upon us! It’s that time of year to roll up our sleeves and dig into the soil to prepare our gardens for the next growing season.
In this spring planting guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to get your garden started this spring.
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Preparing Your Garden Beds
Once the soil has thawed, you can give your garden a good spring cleaning to prepare it for planting:
- Clear out any old plant material: Remove any weeds, dead plants, or leaves from last season.
- Add compost or organic matter: Add nutrients back into the soil that got depleted from supporting last year’s plants.
- Loosen the soil: Use a rake or garden fork to gently loosen the soil to make it easier for plant roots to grow deep and strong.
Make a Planting Schedule
Your last frost date (LFD) is the first thing you need to know before you start planting. Once you know your LFD, you’ll be able to plan your planting schedule more effectively. You can find your average last frost date here.
Cheat sheet: This handy, dandy planting schedule from the Farmer’s Almanac does the planning for you.
Crops to Plant in Early Spring
Some crops thrive in the cooler temperatures of early spring. These crops are cold-hardy, meaning they prefer the cold and can survive a light frost. Here are some cold-hardy crops you can plant or direct sow early in the season:
- Peas
- Spinach
- Radishes
- Lettuce
- Kale
- Swiss Chard
- Carrots
- Beets
Tip: Refer to this direct sowing guide to know the best time to sow each plant.
Transplanting Plants Started Indoors
Warm-weather crops, like tomatoes and peppers, should be started indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date. Once these plants have been given a head start inside, they can be transplanted into the garden after your last frost date. You can learn more about how to start seeds indoors here.
Shop quality seeds at Epic Gardening and save with the code: HOMESTEADMOTHER
Caring for Your Early Spring Plants
Give your spring plants a little care and attention and they’re sure to provide you with a bountiful spring harvest.
- Water: Without the scorching heat from the sun, early spring soil is able to hold moisture longer. Keep an eye on moisture levels and be sure not to over water your plants to avoid root rot.
- Thin: Thin crowded seedlings to give others enough room to spread their roots and grow.
- Weed: Stay on top of weeds and pull them as they come up to avoid your plants fighting them for water and nutrients.
Protect Your Plants
Spring weather can be unpredictable, and late frosts (frosts after your LFD) are always a possibility. To protect tender plants that aren’t cold-hardy, consider these simple tips:
- Row Covers: These lightweight covers protect your plants from frost while still allowing sunlight and moisture in.
- Mulch: Adding a layer of mulch around your plants helps to keep the soil warm and retain moisture.
- Plant in Containers: Plants in containers are able to be easily moved indoors when there is unexpected drops in temperature.
- Use Blankets: In a pinch, you can loosely wrap heavy blankets around your plants. Make sure the blanket reaches the ground to prevent the cold from sneaking in.
Enjoy your spring garden
With a little planning (and a lot of patience), your early spring garden will soon be thriving. May this season bring you a garden full of joy and a bountiful harvest!
Want to stay organized this season?
I’ve created a free garden journal as a gift to help you track your progress, plan your garden, and keep your gardening goals all in one place.
Save on all of your gardening needs
Shop for all of your gardening essentials at Epic Gardening and save with the code: HOMESTEADMOTHER
Share your garden with me!
I love seeing what everyone is growing! Share your garden with me on Instagram by tagging me @thehomesteadmother
Happy planting! Until next time,
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