Early spring is the time for your cold-weather vegetables.
Some plants prefer the heat, while some prefer the cold. It’s best to get this group of vegetables in the ground before temperatures get too warm. The list is long, but we will walk you through some of the main families of veggies, their general care, and potential problems & solutions.
BRASSICA | The mustard family
Broccoli • Kale • Cabbage • Cauliflower • Collard Greens • Brussel Sprouts • Radish
Basic Care – These plants prefer rich, compost soil. Plant in full sun and provide even and consistent moisture. Factor in spacing when planting these in the garden bed. Some can grow upwards of 3ft wide and tall, so allow these plants plenty of room to mature. These are long-term plants that will not be harvested or moved throughout the season. Where you plant them at the start is where they will remain for the growing season.
Common Problems – The cabbage moth is the biggest threat to the mustard family. For preventative care, use diatomaceous earth, which is safe and chemical-free, so the plant and its leaves remain edible. Reapplication is necessary after any rain when the fine powder is rinsed off. But, remember to rinse off your vegetables to clean them before consuming. When pests are present, use insecticidal soap and oils to keep the plant safe, clean, and edible.
Radish has some exceptions to the Brassica rules. They are short-term crops that remain smaller than the rest of this family. Plant them towards the edge of the bed to avoid overshadowing and allow for easy harvesting.
APIACEAE | The carrot family
Carrot • Celery • Lovage • Parsley • Cilantro
Basic Care – These plants need consistent moisture and do not like to run dry, but need good drainage. Use a rich, well-draining soil that is on the sandy side. Provide them with plenty of bright, direct sunlight for healthy crops.
Common Problems – This family is not highly prone to pests, but can deal with aphids, which we recommend insecticidal soap and oils to treat. The biggest problem lies within the roots. Carrots are prone to rot so to prevent major issues use an appropriate soil type.
ALLIUM | The onion family
Onion • Shallot • Chives • Leek • Garlic
Basic Care – Keep things simple when caring for alliums. Plant them in a well-draining soil to prevent chances of rot while keeping moisture high. Also provide enough space for good airflow and full sun exposure. Please note, garlic is traditionally planted in the fall, but can also be planted in early spring.
Common Problems – The most recurrent issue for the onion family is aphids. To treat, use insecticidal soap and oils as they are safe and non-toxic.
AMARANTHACEAE | The beta family
Spinach • Beet • Swiss Chard
Basic Care – The care really is basic. Plant these in a bed filled with rich soil. Keep consistent moisture, full sun exposure, and room for good airflow.
Common Problems – The biggest issue within this family are leafminers. You will be able to spot these pests with their tunnels discoloring the leaves and leaving trails. While it looks detrimental, the whole plant does not go to waste. You can remove and discard the section effected by the leafminers and still use and eat the rest. The best prevention is a healthy plant. Similar to our immune systems, a healthy plant can fight off these issues, setting these plants up for success. Keep this in mind with all of your cold-weather vegetables.
LEGUMES | The bean family
Snow Peas • Snap Peas • Shelling Peas • Beans
Basic Care – This family needs consistent moisture in combination with a well-draining, rich soil. There is a distinction between bush beans, compact and low-growing, and pole beans, tall and require a trellis/support structure. And don’t forget to “brush” your peas. Create natural support by taking small twigs and placing them amongst your peas to allow them to start climbing towards a trellis. A big benefit to legumes is that they act as “nitrogen fixers” in your garden bed. They replenish and “fix” the nitrogen into a form useful for the plants. This creates a nutrient-rich environment for all other plants around them.
Common Problems – The biggest challenge for legumes are fungal issues, such as blight. While this sets the plant back it does not stop it from continuing to grow. Another potential pest are caterpillars. Treat these issues with the same as before, insecticidal soap and oils.
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