Gardening

What to plant in spring: a vegetable garden starter

Spring planting happens in two waves. Cool-season crops like lettuce and radish go in while nights are still chilly, then the warm-season heavy hitters like tomatoes follow once your last frost has passed. Set your zone and the tool shifts every planting window to match your climate.

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Plants in this guide

LettuceLactuca sativaThe quickest reward in the garden. A cool-season green you can cut and regrow for weeks.RadishRaphanus sativusThe instant-gratification crop, ready in as little as 25 days. Great for impatient gardeners and kids.SpinachSpinacia oleraceaA fast, cold-hardy green for spring and fall. Bolts in heat, so grow it cool.CarrotDaucus carotaSweetest when grown in cool weather and loose soil. Patience and thinning are the whole game.TomatoSolanum lycopersicumThe crown jewel of the summer garden. Needs full sun, warm soil, and steady water to fruit well.Bush beanPhaseolus vulgarisAn easy, fast crop that feeds the soil with nitrogen. Direct-sow and pick by the handful.

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