Winter is officially coming to an end this month! Even if the weather in your area is still cold, there is much you can do to prepare for the spring gardening season, and plenty of time to still have a healthy, abundant harvest in as little as a few weeks, depending on your growing zone.

Now is the time to start dreaming of all the possibilities for your garden. If you haven't already, start planning out what kind of plants you want to grow this season or if your space is due for an overhaul, consider reorganizing it. You can start thinking about what vegetables and herbs you would like to grow or if you'd like to add any annuals or perennials for color. Dust off those old seed catalogs or go online and download copies of some new ones (my current favorites are Baker Creek and Southern Exposure Seed Exchange). Start paying attention to how sunlight moves through your intended growing area and what your soil quality is like, if you want to grow in ground as opposed to in containers or raised beds. At the end of this article I'll share some free resources to help you grow your best garden.

Now that you've got some ideas flowing, it's time to get to work.

Understanding Early Spring Planting

Although your local nursery may have just started to stock seedlings, and it may be too early yet to start transplanting them into your garden, there's plenty you can do to get ready. In fact, taking time to plan things will help you get a jump start on your garden and will drastically improve your garden's performance this season. To plan your perfect garden, there are two things you should start thinking about right now: soil and climate conditions, which will help determine the right plants for your growing zone.

In early spring, paying close attention to both soil temperature and climate is key to ensuring successful germination. If the soil is too cold, seeds may germinate slowly—or not at all. Using a soil thermometer can help you determine whether conditions are warm enough for planting, and local frost date predictions will guide you on when to start seeds without the risk of freezing.

To decide which plants will thrive in your area, begin by finding your gardening zone. If you're in the United States, the interactive USDA Hardiness Zone Map can help you identify your growing zone (and sub-zone), which is the first step in figuring out which crops are suitable for your region and the optimal time to sow them. By matching crop selection and planting schedules to your specific zone, you'll set your spring garden up for robust growth and an abundant harvest.

Popular Vegetables to Plant in Early Spring

If the soil in your garden isn't frozen and you can dig into it without much trouble, you can get started right away! Just remember to always amend your soil first with compost and other organic or inorganic matter to promote aeration: perlite works well for this purpose, as do your used eggshells: dry them out in the oven and crush them for best results.

Root vegetables like carrots, radishes, and beets are some of the best crops to start in early spring because they thrive in cooler soil and generally germinate well with fewer pests around. To ensure proper germination, keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and thin seedlings as they emerge to give each plant ample room to develop strong roots. Overcrowding them in your bed will only make them compete with each other for water and nutrients, leading to weaker, less pest and disease-resistant plants.

Leafy greens—think lettuce, spinach, and kale—also appreciate cooler temperatures, making early spring an ideal time to plant them. In fact, kale tastes better when it has been exposed to cold! Asian greens like bok choy and chijimisai (a mix between Komatsuna and tatsoi) are equally hardy in brisk conditions, and you can extend the planting season for all these greens by using row covers or cold frames to shield them from unexpected cold snaps (row covers also work well to keep some animals out of your vegetable patch).

Herbs and Other Cool-Weather Favorites

Cold-hardy herbs such as parsley, thyme, and chives are also great choices for early spring planting. Depending on your local climate and soil conditions, you can either start them indoors or sow them directly into the garden if daytime temperatures stay consistently above freezing. These herbs are fairly low-maintenance and add fresh flavor to cooked dishes and starting them now ensures you'll be harvesting them sooner rather than later.

Plants in the Brassica family, including broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage, require careful planning for spacing, since overcrowded plants won't develop properly. Most varieties thrive when given at least at least 12 inches between transplants, ensuring they have room to branch out and that air flow isn't restricted as they grow (which can lead to disease). You can often plant crops a little closer than the seed packets tell you but be sure to leave room for them to reach the size they'll be at full maturity. Some of these plants also need a lot of time to mature fully when planted from seed: it can take up to 85 days for a broccoli plant to reach maturity, and up to 100 days for some varieties of cabbage. Take that into consideration when planning your garden, especially if you have limited space for growing.

Protecting and Nurturing Young Plants

Don't get overeager and put your plants out too early in the spring (yes, I've done that before in my enthusiasm to get started gardening)! Protecting young plants from sudden cold snaps is a major concern in early spring, when the weather can be unpredictable. Try covering seedlings with row covers, cloches, or even an old sheet on chilly nights to help them retain warmth and shield their leaves from frost damage. If you're growing in containers or raised beds, relocating them to a protected spot overnight (like a garage or shed) can also keep them cozy on cold spring nights.

Appropriate watering and adequate soil feeding are important foundations for ensuring fast spring growth. Aim for a consistent watering schedule that keeps the soil evenly moist without overdoing it, since overly soggy conditions will lead to fungal issues or root rot. You can fortify the soil with well-rotted compost or organic fertilizers to provide essential nutrients, ensuring seedlings develop strong roots and lush, healthy foliage. (Synthetic fertilizers are not only problematic pollutants of waterways, it's also easier to burn your plants with an overload of synthetics).

Check your plants daily, especially as the weather warms and insects begin to hatch. You'll need to stay vigilant against pests and disease before they have a chance to take hold – once a few bugs turn into an infestation, it becomes a lot harder to control the problem and you may have to destroy your plants and start all over again. Natural deterrents like companion planting can help, as can insecticidal sprays (you can easily make one from Dr. Bronner's peppermint soap diluted with water). Diatomaceous earth is also helpful for warding off common early-season insects – it works on soft-bodied varieties, drying them out as they walk over it. Getting into the habit of inspecting the leaves and stems of your plants regularly will help you head off any potential problems so that your young plants can reach their full potential.

Want more tools to help you grow your best garden?

My Library of Free Resources is a curated collection of practical tools, guides, and checklists designed to help you get the most out of your garden. You'll find resources for your gardening needs like a succession planting guide, a companion planting tip sheet, and an all-season vegetable growing chart —all created to save you time, money, and unnecessary frustration.

By signing up, you'll gain instant access to these resources and more for healthy living (don't worry, I won't spam you with daily emails). Once inside, you can download exactly what you need to plan and execute your spring planting with total confidence. Here's to an abundant, thriving garden—all season long!