You don’t have to wait until summer to start a garden. Plenty of vegetables thrive well despite the late frost. Plus, insects are still in hibernation, so you should have no trouble with garden pests for a good while.

Take a look at nine vegetables that you can plant even before the last frost date has passed.

Lettuce

Lettuce grows best in the cool, wet weather of early spring. This popular salad green is also incredibly easy to grow, and most varieties mature in as fast as 30 days. To ensure lettuce grows well, use moist soil and mix in organic fertilizer to promote rapid growth. Plant the seeds in rows that are at least 18-inches apart and trim wilted leaves as the lettuce head matures.

Arugula

Arugula adds a distinct peppery taste to salads, and, like lettuce, matures in a few weeks’ time. Arugula requires moist soil, so it’s important to water the seeds frequently. It also requires plenty of sunlight, so be sure to choose an appropriate spot in the garden to avoid dull, wilted arugula. Once the plant is one to two feet tall, it should be ready to harvest.

Carrots

This crunchy root vegetable is an excellent source of vitamin A that helps enhance eyesight and prevents vision loss. Carrot seeds sprout best in loose, rock-free soil. As a root vegetable, it should also be planted in a spot that receives sunlight. Most varieties take about 50–80 days to mature, but the thin fingerling ones mature in just 30 days.

Beets

As semi-hardy vegetables, beets can be planted one month before the last frost. Beet also requires minimal maintenance since it can withstand light frost. The root itself takes about 45–65 days to mature, but you can harvest the leafy part of the plant for salads as the root continues to grow. Harvest beets before the ground warms up completely to avoid spoilage.

Radish

Rich in fiber and B complex vitamins, radish helps keep the mind sharp, and it also supports digestion. Radish also grows quite fast, and most varieties can be picked in just 25–30 days. Like beet, it is also a cool-season crop, so it can be planted even before the last frost. Radish also thrives best under the sun and in well-drained rock-free soil.

Kale

Kale is an excellent source of vitamin C that helps boost immune functions. Like the radish, kale is also easy to grow. Its leaves can be consumed as sweet baby greens or as crunchy full-sized leaves. Kale thrives well in cool weather, but it does require plenty of sunlight and well-drained soil. If the soil in the garden is too wet, germinate kale indoors and wait until it grows into a small plant before you replant it outside.

Broccoli

Hardy vegetables like broccoli can also withstand a bit of frost, but it grows best in warm weather. Broccoli takes 100–150 days to mature, so it’s best to plant as early as late winter so you can harvest it in the summer. The cold temperature also allows the broccoli florets to remain tight and firm.

Tomatoes

Although technically a fruit, the tomato is one of the most common staples in vegetable gardens. Germinate the seeds indoors and replant them outside after the last frost. They should be about four to six inches tall by the time they are ready to be replanted. Depending on the variety, your tomatoes should mature in 40 to 50 days.

Eggplant

Eggplants won’t survive a frost, so don’t plant the seeds too soon. Most varieties take about 100–120 days to mature, so expect to harvest eggplants in the late spring months. They should be ready as soon as the skin takes on a high gloss and firm texture.

Some seeds thrive best in cool weather, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait until fall to grow them. Plant seeds in the first few weeks of spring so you can enjoy a bountiful harvest even before summer arrives.

For more stories on vegetables that you can plant in spring, visit HomeGardeningNews.com.

Sources:

AccuWeather.com

HarvestToTable.com