The seeds in my fridge are aching to get out and into the ground. In fact, the swiss chard and beets that overwintered in my yard are already growing. It’s been an El Nino winter here on the Northwest coast of North America, and it’s fairly warm.
If you’re aching to get into the garden already, what early spring crops can you start to plant in the next couple of months?
Fava or broad beans are an excellent cover crop and they make a good early spring crop as well. They will thrive in the cool weather and falter in the heat of the summer. I do find that fava beans are a fair amount of work for the crop. The beans that you get need to be shelled and steamed, and a large number of vines equals a few handfuls of beans. However, the beans are delicious and you can easily dig the plants into the garden, providing an infusion of nitrogen to later spring crops. Think of fava beans as a natural fertilizer with a food bonus at the end.
Radishes are another early spring standby. Don’t just stick with the red ones. Easter egg radishes are delightful in their pastel colors, and children love them! If you’re planting a garden for children, make sure that you plant some milder radishes. If you’re planting a garden for adults as well, the longer Asian daikon radish will add zip to salads.
Many Asian greens love the cool weather. These greens thrive in my garden until midsummer, when even my cool, shady garden starts to get a little bit warmer. Greens like mizuna are perfect for an early spring garden, and it’s always a relief to get that local greenery for the salad. If you can, get a spring mix of Asian greens and experiment with what works well in your garden.
What early spring vegetables do you like to grow?