spring vegetable gardenOrganic Spring Vegetables That Can Fight The Frost

Some organic vegetables can be started in the early spring. However, not all organic vegetables are frost hearty. But the vegetables that are can be started early and brought outside as soon as their little leafy heads are above their soil cups.  It can be so hard to watch the snow linger in early spring knowing that the garden is not quite ready for planting. Especially if you live in a colder climate.

It Seems To Never End

Perhaps I’m a bit melodramatic, but when spring arrives and that final snow melts I usually have one of two reactions. I am either bounding out of my door as if I have my skirt twirling around my ankles, basket in hand – deep breath in – and ready to burst forth into song…or I’m clawing my way past the doorway, pasty white, suspicious, blinking, and clutching my tray of seedlings whispering, “my precious,” as if seeing sunlight for the first time. If you live in the northeastern United States I’m sure you can relate, especially after the last two winters we’ve had. I was raised in New England where the old saying is, “If you don’t like the weather, wait a minute.” But, sometimes the winter just never…seemed…to…end. This made it very hard to get a bountiful variety of fresh organic vegetables year round. Growing up, my mother would frown as she looked outside at another snow covered car and her canning shelves grew barer each passing day.  Thankfully, spring does return and there are veggies you can start early and get into the ground almost right away. Certain frost hearty plants love the fresh soil of spring!

There IS Hope!

As it turns out some plants actually gain flavor after being exposed to Jack Frost’s nip. Kale is a hearty, dark leafy green vegetable that is a powerhouse of nutrients and can withstand frost. Mine continued growing after a 5 foot snowfall in Vermont! I can even report luck with the following cooler season planting:

  • English peas
  • Onions
  • Spinach
  • Chard & Collard Greens

Kohlrabi also does well even if touched by a little frost. I’ve had luck with most of the hearty leafy greens like collards and chard. When you pick them, only take the outer leaves. Don’t cut the whole plant down. They will continue to yield hearty yumminess. This is also true when autumn arrives later in the year. They may even continue to produce well into the cold snowy winter like our Kale did. No matter where you live you can start a spring garden. Check out one of our older posts: Can You Garden? Yes You Can!, for some tips and tricks to small space gardening.

Applications & Resources Organic Spring Vegetables

  • Check out where you live so you can learn what your ideal growing season is at Allen Smith
  • Read more about spring veggies at Treehugger
  • Find some tips and tricks about spring planting at Organic Authority

 

iGOZEN is a philosophy and a way of life! As we bound wholeheartedly into spring lets not forget to grab some samples of iGOZEN Fruit/Veg Wash, Meat/Fish Wash, or our child and pet friendly Everyday Cleaner. As always our products come from the Earth and are chemical-free and safe for Earth and people alike!