“Spring shows what God can do with a drab and dirty world.”
-Virgil A. Kraft
Spring’s green vegetables are the best tonic after winter’s long freeze. Spinach, broccoli, onions and peas are among the earliest and easiest crops to grow when the snows recede. It’s possible enjoy fresh greens in early May and home-grown vegetables by late June. Enrich the soil with organic compost the fall before to ensure the earliest possible planting
These vegetables thrive in cool temperatures and full sun. Shade protection from afternoon sun for the broccoli and spinach will keep the plants from “bolting” (going to seed and becoming inedible) when early summer arrives. Mine are planted where the shade of a large tree covers the bed for a few hours midday. Without shade, a mulch of organic grass clippings will keep the soil moist and cool. Green plants thrive on nitrogen, blood meal is an excellent organic source. Use it as a side-dressing midway through growth, sprinkling 1 Tbsp. along the base of the plants and working into the soil gently.
Sugar snap peas on a trellis.
Peas: (Pisum sativum) Virtually pest free and easy to grow in most soils. Peas are ready to pick after 55-75 days.
- To plant: Rake a furrow 16″ wide and 3″ deep in moist (NOT soggy) soil and scatter the peas evenly across, covering the bottom of the furrow (if your soil is too heavy to work in early spring consider building a raised bed). Gently water the peas just until moistened and sprinkle with inoculant if using. Cover with soil, keep moist until germination. Plant new rows every week in early spring while the weather is cool.
- Pests: Peas aren’t bothered by insects. Chipmunks, voles etc. may steal the seeds and birds or rabbits may nip the tops of the peas as they appear above the ground. A screen secured over the row will deter critters, use a foliar spray to deter the birds and rabbits.
- Tips: No matter the variety, all peas require support. Trellises and fences are ideal for the long vining varieties. Short twiggy brush is a popular (and free) option for most gardeners. Push into the ground along the row and the peas will climb readily. As the peas flower keep the bed watered and mulched to keep the soil moist, taking care not to water the leaves. Peas are ideal for planting in intensive (close spaced) beds.
- Seed saving: Allow one 5′ double row of a single variety to fully ripen and dry on the vines. Shell and store in a dark, cool place.
Spinach: (Spinacia oleracea) Easily grown in the cool spring garden. Ready to pick after 43-50 days.
- To plant: Prepare the row as soon as possible in spring. (If spring thaws are late in your area, the seed can be planted the fall before and mulched through winter. Remove the mulch in spring.) Rake a shallow furrow 1/4″-1/2″ deep (no deeper) and sprinkle with composted manure or blood meal. Plant the seeds 1″ apart and cover with soil. Tamp down and water. When seedlings appear, thin to stand 6″ apart in every direction.
- Pests: Flea beetles and cutworms. Protect the plants with row covers or use foliar spray for the flea beetles. Bt is an organic pesticide used to control damaging grubs, caterpillars etc., use only when absolutely necessary. Cutworms can be found when weeding and eliminated by hand. Rabbits can be deterred by sprinkling blood meal along the row. It nourishes the spinach with nitrogen and rabbits fear the odor.
- Tips: After harvesting the first leaves, fertilize lightly with fish emulsion or liquid kelp. To start seeds for a late summer planting, germinate between damp pieces of paper towel first. Plant as before.
- Seed saving: Choose plants with large leaves and bolted late to save seed from. Allow seeds to fully develop before picking.
Home-grown organic broccoli.
Broccoli: (Brassica oleracea) Early spring seedlings must be started indoors and will be ready to harvest in 55-98 days.
- To plant: To start seeds indoors see instructions here. Prepare the bed with plenty of organic compost and manure the fall before. Dig a holes deep enough to plant the seedlings up to their bottom leaves, 18″ apart in every direction. Firm the soil around the base and sprinkle with a mix of bone and blood meal. Gently work in with a rake. Mulch with grass clippings.
- Pests: Cutworms are deterred by placing a “collar” around the base of the plants that extends into the soil. A paper towel tube works well. White “Cabbage butterfly” larvae will chew the foliage. Row covers work best, Bt can be used for control if the infestation is severe. Use foliar sprays for animal pests.
- Tips: Plant in a slightly shaded area to extend the growing season, After the main head is cut, several side-shoots will continue to grow before heat causes the plant to bolt. Birds love the flowers and seeds.
- Seed saving: Two or more plants may be needed to produce seed. Allow the plants to flower and fully develop seed pods. Pull up the plant and hang upside down in a well-aired space. When the pods are completely brittle harvest the seeds and store.
Heirloom onion seedlings.
Onions: Very easy to start from seed indoors for spring planting. Harvest in 92-115 days.
- To plant: To start seeds indoors follow above link. Onion seeds must be started early, around February. Prepare a bed with composted manure, compost, bone and blood meal worked into the top 6″-8″ of the soil. Plant the seedlings 2″ apart in rows 6″ apart.
- Pests: None.
- Tips: Plant onions at least 4′” in from the edge of the bed to prevent the tender roots from being trampled along the path.
- Seed saving: Store healthy bulbs over winter in a cool dark area. Re-plant in spring, spacing closely, and allow to flower. The brittle stalks may break, take care to suport them. When the black seeds are apparent, cut the seedball and dry for several weeks. Gently rub off the seeds.
I’d like to mention to all of you northeast gardeners that the Hudson Valley Seed Library (www.seedlibrary.org) is offering annual gift memberships for $20. It includes a one year membership and 10 packets of heirloom seeds (your choice). The idea is that you will grow the heirloom plants and save seeds for yourself and also return some to the library. In return they give you credit toward next year’s membership fee. The goal is to eventually have 100% of the seeds grown in NYS. Heirloom plants are wonderful, having access to seeds grown sustainably in the Northeast is priceless. Consider supporting them!
The seed library membership sounds like a great gift.