Delicious Veggies to add to the garden this year.
Articoke
Grown for the tender, edible flower buds, artichokes are perennial vegetables in mild climates and can be planted as annuals each spring in cold climates. In warmer climates like the California coast, you can begin harvesting in late-spring or early-summer.
Beets
Beets come in red, yellow, and white varieties and are at their sweetest when grown in a sunny location in the cool weather. It is best to harvest beets right when they are small, and they will push themselves up and out of the ground as they begin to mature.
Broccoli
Broccoli likes cool weather and a sunny spot to grow in, although it may take a few tries to get it right. It is Important to time, soil fertility, spacing, and pest management. Broccoli’s needs to be maintained to avoid pests.
Cabbage
Cold weather will trigger the production of sugars in the leaves, cabbage planted early on is best, so it can benefit from a light frost or two. Cabbage plants need to be protected from damage inflicted by rabbits and deer, seems they might be less attracted to the red-leaf varieties. These darker-leaved varieties also make it easier to see pests such as the cabbageworm.
Carrots
Carrots come in a variety of colors, not just the typical orange. Seeds should be sown directly in the garden and not transplanted. Carrots like a location with full sun and deep, loose soil. Different types (‘Early Nantes’, ‘Nelson’, and ‘Mokum’) for spring-grown carrots because they “grow fast and keep their sweet flavor in warm soil.”
Cauliflower
Cauliflower not only comes in the common white variety, but there are also green, purple, and orange varieties. It can be a challenge to grow cauliflower. Ideally a good harvest depends on cool temperatures, ample moisture, and plenty of organic matter in the soil.
Celery
Grown from seed or cutting, using the cut-off base (place in water to root, and then into soil). Homegrown celery will have a stronger flavor than store-bought. Individual stalks can be cut from the outside of the plant and used as needed.
Collards
Able to withstand a much wider temperature range, Collards are a popular cooking substitute for Cabbage in the South where Cabbage is a difficult crop to be grown. Collards are high in Vitamin K and also Calcium.
Kale
Kale can be grown in containers or in the ground. Planted in a sunny spot with moist soil. Cool weather will also help kale to be at its best. This dark green veggie is highly nutritious and comes in three main types: Tuscan kale, curly kale, and flat-leafed Russian kale.
Leeks
Leeks do appear like large green onions, but they have a much milder taste. They are grown best in full sun, but will tolerate light shade. Young leeks can be harvested and used as microgreens in salads. If left to flower, then Leek will produce an abundance of seeds.
Lettuce
Plant lettuces in the ground in rows, blended in with other vegetables, or even in a mixed border with flowers. Lettuce plants also make a great choice for container gardens as they don’t take up much room.
Plant an assortment for a mixed salad fresh from the garden.
Peas
Sweet peas, snow peas, and snap peas are best grown in cooler weather. Snap peas provide better production and can be eaten whole, without shelling like sweet peas.
Radishes
Smaller round varieties tend to be better for the spring growing when the soil is still cool and the days are just starting to warm up. Radishes are fast growers and have a peppery flavor.
Spinach
Spinach is the most cold-tolerant of the salad greens. Planted in batches to extend your harvest, as the spring-grown spinach won’t last long in the gardens once the days begin to warm up. Spinach can be harvested by the leaf (outer leaves first) or the entire plant.
Swiss Chard
Ornamental edible that is available in varieties with orange, pink, red, yellow, or white ribs. Seed packs can be purchased in mixtures for a colorful garden display. For better harvest, the white-stemmed varieties generally do perform better. Swiss chard is a favorite of deer, Something to keep to mind.
Turnips
The roots and the greens of turnips are edible on these quick-growing vegetables. For best flavor, turnips should be harvested before warmer weather. Turnips can also be grown in containers if given enough depth.
Check out the links below for the Farmhouse Garden Talk and the Facebook Community Post for More Tips and Tricks in the Garden.
16 Spring Vegetables
Garden Talk Tips and Tricks
Plants, Flowers and Trees that Grow in the Shade