The vegetable garden in spring
Spring is the most exciting time in the gardening year: the soil wakes up, the first sowings are due and anticipation of the season is high. Anyone who plans well now and does the right tasks lays the foundation for a successful gardening year.
It is important to be patient with the warmth-loving crops – outdoors it is often only really safe after the Ice Saints in mid-May.
In short
- Loosen the soil, clear it of weeds and supply it with compost.
- Sow early directly: radishes, carrots, peas, spinach, cut-and-come-again lettuce.
- Raise warmth-lovers (tomatoes, peppers) indoors now.
- Warmth crops only go outdoors after the Ice Saints.
Preparing the soil
As soon as the soil has dried off and is frost-free, loosen it carefully and clear it of weeds. A dose of well-rotted compost supplies the beds with nutrients and encourages the soil life. Heavy soils benefit from a little sand, sandy ones from extra compost.
What to sow and plant now
Many robust crops may go directly into the bed early: radishes, carrots, peas, spinach, rocket, broad beans and cut-and-come-again lettuce tolerate cool temperatures. Early potatoes and onions can be set out too. Warmth-lovers such as tomatoes, peppers, chillies and cucumbers are now raised under protection on the windowsill or in the greenhouse.
Raising and propagation
March and April are the main months for propagation. Ensure plenty of light and moderate watering so the seedlings stay strong and compact. Prick out in good time and start hardening off from late April/May so the young plants are fit for the bed.
Frequently asked questions
When may I put tomatoes outdoors?
Only after the Ice Saints (mid-May), when late frosts are no longer a threat – and after hardening off.
The soil is still wet – should I wait?
Yes. Working on wet soil compacts it. Wait until it has dried off to a crumbly state.
Tip
Stagger your sowings every two to three weeks – this avoids everything ripening at once and lets you harvest fresh for weeks.
Caution
Do not be fooled by warm April days: late frosts until mid-May can destroy planted-out warmth crops overnight.
For an early, safe start, strong young plants are ideal. We raise ours robust and ready to plant.