Want to start harvesting fresh vegetables weeks before your neighbors? These essential spring vegetables will jumpstart your growing season and provide the first tastes of garden-fresh produce while saving you trips to the grocery store.

As a sustainable living advocate and mother of four, As a sustainable living advocate and mother of four, my dream has always been to live like Barbara Kingsolver in Animal, Vegetable, Miracle – eating only locally grown food. I’ll share proven strategies for maximizing your spring garden potential with best vegetables that thrive in cooler temperatures.

Best Vegetables to Plant in Early Spring

Perennial Powerhouses: Plant Once, Harvest for Years

Rhubarb: Spring’s First Sweet Treat

Rhubarb thrives in well-drained soil and provides one of the earliest harvests of the season. My family loves using these tart stalks in crisps, scones, and muffins. before most other plants have even started growing. For best results, plant in a sunny spot with fertile soil and harvest stalks once they reach 12-15 inches.

Learn the ins and outs of growing rhubarb in my complete guide: [Growing Rhubarb – Tips & Tricks for a Good Harvest.]

Strawberries: Garden-Fresh Berries by Early Summer

In my Zone 5 home garden, strawberries ripen by late May or early summer. Growing your own provides significant advantages:

• Zero pesticides unlike conventional berries from the farmers’ markets
• Fresh-picked sweetness that’s unmatched by grocery store varieties
• Multiple harvests throughout the cooler months
• Cost savings over store-bought organic berries

For healthy growth, ensure your strawberry patch receives full sun and has adequate organic matter in the soil.

Get tips for growing big, delicious strawberries in my guide: [What You Need to Know to Grow Yummy Big Strawberries.]

Asparagus: The Perennial Patience Game

Asparagus represents the ultimate investment in your garden beds. After a three-year wait, these perennial vegetables reward you with decades of early spring harvests. For best results, plant more than you think you need in well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter – these tender shoots disappear quickly from the dinner table!

During the first time growing asparagus, resist harvesting until the third season to establish strong root systems.

Cold-Hardy Vegetables: Getting Started Before the Last Frost Date

Spring Onions: First Fresh Greens

Spring Onions: First Leafy Greens

Plant onions six weeks before your region’s last frost date for:

• Quick-growing green tops ready for first harvest
• Continuous harvests (just cut the tops!) throughout cool weather
• Early spring flavor boost
• Multiple growing cycles per season

For best results, plant onion sets rather than seeds for a head start on the growing season.

Make sure to read this article for all the secrets on growing onions: [How to Grow Big, Flavorful Onions from Planting to Harvest.]

No-Dig Potatoes: Hidden Root Vegetables

Using my no-dig method, you can harvest new potatoes just ten weeks after planting. This approach to growing root crops offers:

• Less back strain during spring planting
• Better garden soil structure
• Cleaner harvest
• Reduced pest problems

Start potatoes in early spring (late March or early April) for the earliest harvest of these versatile root vegetables.

Want ticks and tricks for growing potatoes? Here’s my How to Grow Potatoes The Easy Way (No-Dig Method)article!

Spinach, Kohlrabi, and Kale: The Cool-Season Vegetables Trio

Plant these nutrition powerhouses five weeks before the last frost date:

• Choose bolt-resistant varieties for longer harvest in warmer climates
• Spinach needs six weeks of cool temperatures to mature
• Plant extra – these leafy greens freeze well for use beyond the time of year they grow
• Harvest outer leaves for continuous growth throughout the cooler weather

These cool-season crops perform best when planted in late March to early spring when soil temperatures are still cool but workable.

Quick-Growing Spring Favorites

Peas: Spring’s Sweet Reward

We think peas are one of the most delicious vegetables to grow in spring. Plant snow peas and sugar snap peas four weeks before last frost date:

• Choose garden peas, snow peas, or sugar snap peas varieties based on preference
• Provide strong trellising for these cool-weather crops
• Plant successively every 2-3 weeks for longer harvests during the cooler months
• Harvest regularly to encourage production before hot days arrive

Peas make a great addition to any spring garden and can be grown in small spaces along fences or trellises.

Here’s what you need to know about growing peas!

Radishes: The Speed Champion

These spicy gems can be direct sown and ready in just 25 days! My top tip for radish success:

• Let some go to seed for volunteer crops to enjoy next year
• Plant every two weeks for continuous harvest throughout cool weather
• Mix varieties for different flavors and colors
• Great companion plant for slower-growing vegetables

Radishes are ideal for first time gardeners as they deliver quick success and can be grown in a small amount of soil.

Lettuce and Swiss Chard: Fresh Leafy Greens Makers

Lettuce is one of our favorite and easiest vegetables to grow in spring. Plant two weeks before last frost date:

• Choose cut-and-come-again varieties for extended harvest
• Mix leaf colors for visual appeal in your garden beds
• Plant in partial shade for summer harvests when hot days arrive
• Save seeds for late fall planting

Swiss chard deserves special mention as it’s more heat-tolerant than other leafy greens, bridging the gap between spring vegetables and warm-season crops.

How to Grow Lettuce in Your Garden for all the lettuce growing tips!

Extending Your Spring Planting Season

For gardeners eager to maximize their early spring harvests, consider these advanced techniques:

• Use a cold frame to start baby plants earlier
• Apply a row cover to protect tender plants from late frosts
• Monitor soil temperatures with this handy soil thermometer and moisture meter rather than just using calendar dates for perfect planting dates
• Check your seed packet for specific guidance on optimal outdoor conditions

Ready to Level Up Your Green Living?

Excited about growing your own food? Take the next step with my book, How to Raise Chickens for Meat!

Whether you’re just starting your garden journey or expanding your sustainable lifestyle, these spring vegetables will give you a good start on the growing season.

Remember to check your specific frost dates and adjust planting dates accordingly based on your local climate conditions. For those in colder climates, focus on cool-season vegetables that can handle cool temperatures, while gardeners in warmer climates might need to plant earlier to avoid summer heat.

For more eco-friendly living tips and specific crops information, sign up for my newsletter below. And don’t forget to share your early spring garden plans in the comments!

Important note: For detailed growing instructions for each vegetable mentioned, visit our individual vegetable pages linked throughout this article.