Spring Planting Guide: What to Plant and When

Understanding Your Planting Zone

Before you start planting, it's crucial to understand your local climate and frost dates. Verdy automatically detects your location and provides personalized planting schedules based on your zone.

Most spring vegetables can be categorized into cool-season crops (planted early) and warm-season crops (planted after the last frost). Knowing the difference is key to successful spring planting.

Early Spring: Cool-Season Crops

These hardy vegetables can tolerate light frosts and should be planted 4-6 weeks before your last expected frost date:

• Lettuce and other salad greens - ready to harvest in 30-45 days
• Peas - both snow peas and snap peas thrive in cool weather
• Spinach - one of the most cold-tolerant vegetables
• Radishes - fast-growing and perfect for beginner gardeners
• Carrots - can be planted as soon as soil can be worked
• Broccoli and cauliflower - start from transplants for best results

Late Spring: Warm-Season Crops

Wait until after your last frost date and when soil temperatures reach at least 60°F (15°C) to plant these vegetables:

• Tomatoes - the crown jewel of most vegetable gardens
• Peppers - both sweet and hot varieties need warm soil
• Cucumbers - grow quickly in warm conditions
• Squash and zucchini - vigorous growers that need space
• Beans - bush and pole varieties for continuous harvest
• Basil and other warm-season herbs

Succession Planting for Continuous Harvest

Don't plant everything at once! Succession planting means sowing small amounts of fast-growing crops every 2-3 weeks. This provides a continuous harvest rather than one overwhelming abundance.

Verdy's smart scheduling feature automatically suggests succession planting dates for your fast-growing crops like lettuce, radishes, and beans.