Even though we’ve got a nice chunk of arctic air chill blasting much of the country, I know it may not feel like it, but January is a good time to jump start your spring planting. Even if you’ve got a good two or three feet of snow settin’ in your backyard, don’t think for a minute that you can’t get a good spring crop started. In fact, there are quite a few crops that do just fine in the wintertime…as long you start them as seeds indoors.
That’s why now is a good time to place your seed order. Once you’ve ordered them and you know that they’re on their way, start preparing your indoor seed garden. But when and what you plant will depend on where you live, so you’ve got a little bit of homework to do.
Before you start with your seeds and planting, you’ve got to know when the last frost occurrence in your area is likely to be. No one knows for sure, but you can get a pretty fair idea. The important thing to know is that the last frost date in your area will tell you when your spring growing season begins.
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You can find out this info from the USDA Zone Map below, several on-line sites using your zip code or by checking frost dates of nearby cities. These are average dates and they will vary slightly from one year to the next, but they’ll give you a basic window of time so you can make a planting schedule. Another good source of local, reliable advice is your area’s County Cooperative Extension Service or check with knowledgeable members of local gardening clubs .
One thing you might be thinking is, “Which cold season veggies should I plant?”
Some vegetables such as kohlrabi and kale do better flavor when touched by a bit of frost and can thrive during the shorter days and cooler temperatures of spring and fall. In fact, Lettuce, collards, snow peas, cabbage and broccoli are a few examples of cold season veggies you can grow.
Now, when your seeds arrive, don’t worry if it’s too early or cold to plant the seeds outdoors. Many cool season vegetables can be started from seed indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the frost-free date in your area. Some transplants can be put out a few weeks before the frost-free date as well.
Now, let’s get down to brass tacks here, okay? Ever’body knows that all so-called “cold tolerant” plants can be done-in right quick with a steep drop into freezing temperatures. But in normally cold temperatures, have something handy to cover your crops if a cold snap is on its way. It could be newspaper, old bed sheets or blankets, whatever you may have to keep them protected. Be sure to take off the coverings the next morning.
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That brings us to just what types of veggies you should plant as seeds first, indoors, before moving them to your garden. Below is a list of some good cold season vegetables with a few tips to help you produce a bountiful spring garden.
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
The 2012 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location. The map is based on the average annual minimum winter temperature, divided into 10-degree F zones.
For the first time, the map is available as an interactive GIS-based map, for which a broadband Internet connection is recommended, and as static images for those with slower Internet access. Users may also simply type in a ZIP Code and find the hardiness zone for that area.
No posters of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map have been printed. But state, regional, and national images of the map can be downloaded and printed in a variety of sizes and resolutions.
ARUGULA – Sow seeds in the garden as soon as soil can be worked in spring. They will germinate in about 7 days and are ready to harvest in 3 to 4 weeks. For a continuous harvest, sow seeds every 2 weeks until temperatures heat up.
BEETS – Sow seeds in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. Beets prefer a well-drained, sandy soil. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers as this will encourage top growth at the expense of root development. As with all root crops good soil aeration is key to uniform, robust development. Consistent moisture is also important. Keep areas weed free to avoid competition for nutrients.
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BROCCOLI – Broccoli seed can be sown directly in the garden 4 weeks before the last frost date in your area or set out transplants 2 weeks before the last frost date. The ideal day time temperature for broccoli is between 65 and 80 degrees. Feed the plants 3 weeks after transplanting into the garden. Use a low nitrogen fertilizer.
CABBAGE – Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last front date or plant transplants in the garden 2 weeks before that date. Direct sow in the garden immediately after the last frost date. Cabbage plants are heavy feeders that require fertile soil rich in organic matter and consistent moisture.
CARROTS – Sow seeds in spring about 2 weeks before the last frost date. Carrots need deep, loose soil to form a robust root. Keep the bed weeded to avoid competition for nutrients from other plants. Too much nitrogen will result in forked roots. When the seedlings are about 2-inches tall, thin them so there is about 1 to 4-inches between them. Cover the shoulders with mulch or soil to keep them from turning green and bitter.
COLLARDS – Collard transplants can be planted 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Plant in fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.5 to 6.8. Rich soil encourages rapid growth and tender leaves, which are the best tasting collards.
ENGLISH PEAS – Direct sow in the garden 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost date in your area. They will germinate in soil temperatures as low as 40 degrees F. Seedlings will survive a late snow and short periods of temperatures down to 25 degrees F.
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KALE – You can plant kale in early spring, about 3 to 5 weeks before the last frost date. Cover with frost blankets during severe cold. Similar to collards very fertile soil is ideal to encourage rapid growth and tender leaves.
KOHLRABI – Kohlrabi is similar to a turnip, but is actually related to cabbage. Set plants out 4 weeks before the last frost date. Protect young plants from freezing temperatures with a frost blanket. Cool temperatures enhance the sweet flavor.
LETTUCE – Sow lettuce any time in spring when the soil is workable. Lettuce is more sensitive to cold than other cool season vegetables and should definitely be covered during cold snaps. The ideal day time temperature is between 60 and 70 degrees. Fertilize with fish emulsion, which is high in nitrogen. Lettuce will grow in partial shade and actually appreciates the shelter from intense late spring sun.
ONIONS – Onions can be grown from sets, small bulbs, or transplants, which look like scallions and come in a bundle of 60 or so. Either method should be planted in early spring as soon as the soil is workable. Long-day varieties are suitable for Northern gardens and short-day varieties can be planted in the South. Place time release fertilizer in the planting hole so that it is close to the roots. Follow the fertilizer’s label directions.
POTATOES – Greening of grass is a good indicator of when to plant potato sets, dried potato pieces with 2 to 3 eyes. In my zone 7 garden that occurs in March. Soil should be loose, fertile and well drained. As the tubers mature, cover with soil to prevent burning.
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RADISH – Sow radish seeds in the garden about 4 weeks before the last frost date in your area. No feeding necessary, but soil should be fertile and well drained. They are quick to mature so check them regularly. They are ready to harvest as soon as they are of edible size.
SPINACH – Spinach seeds can be sown over frozen ground to germinate as the soil thaws. Transplants can be set out 4 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Fertilize when the plants are about 4 inches tall. Spinach prefers very fertile soil to encourage rapid growth and tender leaves. Once the days get long and warm it will bolt, meaning that it grows tall, blooms and becomes bitter tasting. For grit-free leaves select plain leaf varieties such as Giant Nobel and Olympia.
SWISS CHARD – Swiss Chard is one the more beautiful vegetables in the garden. Bright Lights and Ruby are favorites for adding color to the garden and the dinner table. Plant or sow seeds 2 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Thin to 6-inches apart when seedlings are 3-inches tall. Water regularly.
TURNIP – Plant 2 weeks before the last frost date. Any well-drained soil will do. Consistent moisture is key for healthy root development. Although it is not necessary, the greens will be the most tender if you plant in a fertile soil.
