If you’re anything like me, once the snow starts melting you’re already thinking about getting your hands in the dirt. Early spring is the perfect time to jump-start the season with cool season crops—these are the veggies that don’t mind chilly nights and can handle a little cold.
Planting early means you get food faster, you beat a lot of pests, and you’re already harvesting while other gardens are just waking up.
When to Plant Cool Season Crops
Cool season crops are the ones that like temperatures on the cooler side. A lot of them can be planted as soon as the soil can be worked (meaning it’s not a muddy mess and you can actually dig in it).
Here’s the simple rule: if your soil is workable and your weather is trending up (even if nights are cold), you can usually start planting cool season crops.
Tip: If the garden bed is soggy, wait a few days. Planting in wet soil can cause compaction and slow growth.
My Top 5 Cool Season Crops (Early Spring Winners)
1) Peas
Peas are one of the first things I plant. They don’t care about cool temps, and once they get going, they take off fast. Give them something to climb and you’ll be picking pods before you know it.
2) Lettuce
Lettuce is an early spring MVP. It grows quick, you can harvest it young, and you can plant it in rounds so you keep getting fresh salads for weeks.
3) Radishes
Radishes are the “instant gratification” crop. They’re fast, tough, and perfect for filling gaps in beds while slower crops are getting started.
4) Spinach
Spinach loves cool weather. In fact, once it gets too warm it bolts (goes to seed) fast—so early spring is prime time. If you want big, tender leaves, get it in early.
5) Carrots
Carrots can handle cool temps, and they’re one of those crops that just feels like a win when you pull them out of the ground. The earlier you get them going, the better your chances of a solid harvest before the summer heat kicks in.
Quick Tips for Success
- Don’t rush soggy soil: wait until you can work it without making mud bricks.
- Plant in rounds: especially lettuce and radishes—every 1–2 weeks gives you a steady harvest.
- Cover if needed: row cover or a simple frost cloth can protect seedlings on colder nights.
- Label everything: early spring beds can look “empty” for a bit—labels save you from digging up seeds later.
Quick Boxes
Plant-First Crops
Radishes + lettuce (great for early wins).
Spinach + peas (they thrive before heat shows up).
Carrots (get them started early for a strong crop).
Succession planting (small plantings = steady harvest).
