Growing your own food is hard work, but it can save you money—and a trip to the store—if y’all are ever in a pinch. While there are multiple ways to keep a vegetable garden, I wanted to offer some tips about the best produce to plant in the spring. You may need to figure out how to keep rabbits out of your garden, but once you’ve mastered gardening, the benefits far outweigh any stress you’ll have to go through.
Peas
Most people who plant peas prefer to do so in March, but that isn’t necessarily possible for gardeners who still have snow on their plots. Peas do not like temperatures that are too cold or too hot, so you may have to wait until April or May to plant your peas. Choose a short-season variety that you can harvest in the fall as they won’t survive the winter anyway.
Pro Tip: Peas grow on vines! Use a trellis to support your peas’ vines and make them easier to both see and pick.
Beets
The best time to plant beets is when the ground is cold but not frozen, so early spring is typically perfect. You can grow beets in pots because they don’t need much space. If you plant them in the ground, make sure the soil is loose and free of rocks. Soak beats in warm water to soften the shells before planting them half an inch into the ground, and keep the soil moist for the best result.
Tomatoes
I use tomatoes in some of my recipes, y’all, and I love when I find one that’s ripe and juicy. A popular summer plant, tomatoes thrive in warm soil and tend to succeed with a late spring planting. Use compost or fertilizer when planting the seeds, and give each plant plenty of space to grow. Tomatoes need a lot of nutrients to give them their color and flavor.
Potatoes
Everyone loves potatoes—especially my kids. Potatoes make hearty dishes, and luckily, they’re hardy enough themselves to survive a few frosts. Y’all can plant them at the beginning of spring but make sure the soil is loose so the potatoes have room to grow. You can grow potatoes by cutting one up and placing the pieces in the ground with the eyes facing up.
Onions
For me, onions are both a vegetable and a seasoning. I use them to flavor my dishes, and I think that fresh onion is best. Along with some compost, you should plant onion bulbs in early spring. Place the bulbs about six inches apart, and give them a generous amount of water.
Pro Tip: Onions can survive a bit of a drought but grow better with consistent water.
Y’all might prefer other fruits or vegetables for your garden, but when it comes to grocery staples, keeping produce that you use most often will save you the most money. You can plant what you eat most throughout the year, but these are the best produce to plant in the spring. Keep your pantry stocked without making a trip to the store.
