Ready to shake off the winter? Discover the best vegetables to plant in early spring to give your garden a head start. Begin your season strong with hardy crops that love cooler weather.

Spring in Canada can be a bit unpredictable, to say the least. One day it’s warm and sunny, and the next brings a surprise frost. But for gardeners eager to get their hands in the dirt, early spring is when you can kickstart your vegetable garden with crops that don’t mind a little chill. These starters are hardy, resilient, and perfect for getting your garden growing even before summer warmth kicks in.

1. Peas

Peas are an eager crop that can be planted as soon as the soil is workable. These cool-weather lovers are hardy and tolerate light frosts well, which makes them a reliable early choice. They can be planted as soon as soil thaws and can be worked, which may be as early as four to six weeks before the last frost. To ensure success, it’s helpful to soak the seeds overnight to speed up germination before planting them about one to two inches deep.

2. Spinach

Spinach thrives in cool weather and can tolerate light frost, making it another perfect candidate for early spring planting. You can start getting these seeds into the ground as soon as the soil can be worked to enjoy fresh leafy greens by mid-May. To help spinach seeds thrive, sow them in consistently moist but well-drained soil.

3. Radishes

Radishes are the perfect choice for impatient gardeners who want fresh produce fast. They grow quickly and can be ready to harvest in as little as 3-4 weeks. Best of all, they can be planted as early as four to six weeks before the last frost. For an abundant harvest from the outset, plant the seeds about an inch apart and thin them early to avoid overcrowding.

4. Carrots

Carrots are another cool-season favourite, and you want to start them early because they take longer to mature. Plant the seeds up to two to four weeks before the last frost in loose and well-draining soil. Sowing seeds thinly and keeping the soil consistently moist until seedlings emerge will encourage healthy growth.

5. Onions

Whether you’re planting from seeds, sets, or transplants, onions are hardy and can be started early. Sets, which are small bulbs, are the easiest option. Just plant them about an inch deep with the pointy end facing upwards. They prefer moist but not soggy soil and can be planted four to six weeks before the last frost date.

6. Broccoli

Broccoli loves cool weather and actually performs best when planted earlier in the season. It can be planted directly into the ground as soon as it is workable into rich, well-watered soil that will help the plants form healthy heads. Broccoli’s close relatives—cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower—are also great candidates for starting early. In fact, this family of vegetables is often referred to as “cold” crops.

Planting early rewards you with a longer growing season and allows certain vegetables to reach their full potential. So, make sure you pick the right crops and get digging!