Itching to get your hands in the dirt, but the calendar says it's weeks until tomato-planting time? Good news: some of the best spring crops don't just tolerate cold weather, they prefer it. In this guide, you'll learn about three cool-season crops you can plant weeks before your last frost, plus how to time them and get the sweetest harvest.
Why plant before the last frost?
Cool-season crops grow best when temperatures are mild, roughly 45 to 75°F. Many of them get bitter, woody or bolt (go to seed) once summer heat arrives. Planting early lets them mature in the cool weather they love, and it frees up space in time for your summer crops.
Here in Minnesota, zone 5a, our last frost usually comes in mid-to-late May, so these early crops go in from about mid-April on.
1. Peas: the first crop of spring
- When to plant: As soon as the soil can be worked, about 4 to 6 weeks before your last frost. Peas germinate in soil as cool as about 40°F, though they sprout faster when it's a bit warmer.
- How to plant: Sow seeds about 1 inch deep and 2 inches apart along a trellis or fence.
- Why early matters: Peas set the most and sweetest pods in cool weather. Once temperatures stay above about 80°F, production slows way down.
- Top pick: Sugar Anne Snap Peas (about 55 to 60 days): early, compact and very sweet. Great for eating right off the vine.
2. Radishes: the fastest crop around
- When to plant: About 4 weeks before your last frost, then every week or two after that.
- How to plant: Sow about 1/2 inch deep and 1 inch apart, then thin to 2 inches.
- Why early matters: Radishes grow fast and mild in cool soil. Heat makes them pithy and very hot.
- Top picks: Cherry Belle (about 22 to 25 days), a round, bright-red classic, and French Breakfast (about 25 to 30 days), with oblong, red roots and white tips.
3. Spinach: the cold-weather champion
- When to plant: About 4 to 6 weeks before your last frost. You can even sow it in fall to overwinter under cover.
- How to plant: Sow about 1/2 inch deep and 1 to 2 inches apart, then thin to 3 to 4 inches.
- Why early matters: Spinach bolts quickly once days get long and warm in late spring. Cold weather, on the other hand, makes the leaves sweeter.
- Top pick: Bloomsdale Long Standing (about 40 to 50 days): thick, crinkly leaves and a little more bolt resistance than many types.
Tips for early planting
- Check the soil, not just the date: If a handful of soil sticks together in a wet ball, wait a few days. Working soggy soil damages it.
- Use raised beds: They warm up and drain faster in spring, so you can plant sooner.
- Keep row cover handy: A light fabric cover protects seedlings from hard frosts and speeds growth a bit.
- Don't rush heat lovers: Tomatoes, peppers, squash and beans still need to wait until after your last frost.
More crops that like it cool
Lettuce, kale, onions, carrots and beets can all go in early, too. Plant a mix and you'll have salads and stir-fries while the rest of the garden is just getting started.
Get a head start this spring
You don't have to wait for warm weather to start harvesting. Mark your calendar for about six weeks before your last frost and get these seeds ready. Every packet is non-GMO and USA grown, and I pack them by hand here in Minnesota.
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