Spring Gardening Guide
Everything you need to know about starting your garden right
Spring at a Glance
Month-by-Month Spring Tasks
Early Spring (March)
- Start warm-season seeds indoors (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant)
- Prepare garden beds - remove debris, add compost
- Direct sow peas when soil can be worked
- Prune fruit trees before buds break
- Test soil pH and amend if needed
Mid-Spring (April)
- Direct sow lettuce, spinach, radishes, carrots, beets
- Transplant hardened-off cool-season seedlings
- Install pea fences and bean supports
- Begin hardening off warm-season seedlings late in month
- Watch for late frosts and protect tender plants
Late Spring (May)
- Transplant tomatoes, peppers, eggplant after last frost
- Direct sow beans, corn, squash, cucumbers, melons
- Apply mulch once soil warms (after transplanting)
- Install tomato cages and cucumber trellises
- Begin regular watering schedule
What to Plant in Spring
Cool-Season (Plant Early)
4-6 weeks before last frost
- • Peas - direct sow, frost tolerant
- • Lettuce and spinach - can start indoors
- • Radishes - fast, direct sow only
- • Carrots and beets - direct sow
- • Broccoli and cabbage - transplant
- • Onion sets - as soon as workable
Warm-Season (Plant After Frost)
After last frost, soil 60F+
- • Tomatoes - transplant, stake/cage
- • Peppers - transplant, slow to start
- • Beans - direct sow, fast growing
- • Corn - direct sow in blocks
- • Squash and cucumbers - direct sow or transplant
- • Basil - wait for consistent warmth
Spring Soil Preparation
- 1Clear and clean beds
Remove winter mulch from beds you'll plant early (let soil warm). Pull any weeds before they set seed. Remove debris and old plant material.
- 2Wait for the right moisture
Squeeze a handful of soil - if it crumbles, you're good. If it stays in a ball or smears, wait. Working wet soil destroys structure.
- 3Add compost
Spread 1-2 inches of compost and work into top 6-8 inches. This is your main soil boost for the season. No need for more amendments if you compost regularly.
- 4Rake smooth and let settle
Level beds with a rake. Let soil settle for a few days before planting if you've done major digging. This prevents air pockets around seeds.
Starting Seeds Indoors
Starting seeds indoors gives warm-season crops a head start. Here's how to succeed:
Timing
- • Tomatoes: 6-8 weeks before transplant
- • Peppers: 8-10 weeks (slow starters)
- • Eggplant: 8-10 weeks before transplant
- • Broccoli/cabbage: 4-6 weeks before
- • Lettuce: 4 weeks for early transplants
Key Tips
- • Use sterile seed starting mix, not garden soil
- • Provide 14-16 hours of light daily
- • Keep soil moist but not waterlogged
- • Thin to one seedling per cell
- • Fertilize weekly with diluted solution
Hardening Off Seedlings
This critical step prevents transplant shock. Don't skip it!
- • Day 1-2: Place outdoors in shade for 1-2 hours, protected from wind
- • Day 3-4: Increase to 3-4 hours with some morning sun
- • Day 5-6: Full morning sun, 5-6 hours outside
- • Day 7-9: All day outside, full sun, bring in at night
- • Day 10: Leave out overnight if no frost; transplant the next day
Spring Pest Prevention
Early Season Pests
- • Cutworms - Use collars around transplants
- • Aphids - Check new growth; spray with water
- • Flea beetles - Row covers protect seedlings
- • Slugs - Active in wet spring weather
Prevention Strategies
- • Row covers block many insects
- • Crop rotation breaks pest cycles
- • Start plants healthy and strong
- • Remove debris where pests overwinter
Common Spring Mistakes
- • Planting too early - Frost kills tender crops; cold soil stunts roots
- • Not hardening off - Seedlings get sunburned or shock
- • Overwatering seeds - Seeds rot in cold, wet soil
- • Working wet soil - Creates clumps that last all season
- • Skipping succession planting - Plant lettuce every 2-3 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start planting in spring?
It depends on your last frost date. Cool-season crops like peas and lettuce can go out 4-6 weeks before last frost. Warm-season crops like tomatoes and peppers should wait until after your last frost date, when soil has warmed to at least 60F.
How do I know if my soil is ready to work?
Grab a handful and squeeze. If it crumbles when you poke it, it's ready. If it stays in a wet ball or smears, wait - working wet soil destroys structure and creates hard clumps. Sandy soils dry faster than clay.
Should I start seeds indoors or direct sow?
Start indoors: tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and other slow-growing warm crops (6-8 weeks before transplant). Direct sow: beans, peas, carrots, radishes, corn, squash - they don't transplant well or grow quickly enough to not need a head start.
How do I harden off seedlings?
Move seedlings outdoors for 1-2 hours in a sheltered spot, then bring inside. Each day, increase outdoor time and sun exposure over 7-10 days. This acclimates them to wind, sun, and temperature swings before permanent transplanting.