Spring, especially early spring before the last frost date, is a good time to plant for those of us who want to harvest during summer.

Moreover, it is also the perfect time for those who are looking to grow a variety of plants that can withstand harsh varying temperatures, require minimal maintenance and continue to grow throughout the year.

Luckily, there is a wide selection of such plants-mostly vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits.

This list will guide you on some of the best plants to grow this spring. Keep in mind that these suggestions vary, depending on your location and gardening zone.

1. Spinach

Spinach leaves are a popular choice because you can easily throw them into salads, curries, pasta, and smoothies.

In addition, spinach is easy to grow, and early spring is the best time to sow the seeds for you to harvest them in mid-spring or early summer if you choose to plant later in the spring.

How to Harvest Spinach:

• Cut small spinach leaves at the stem. 
• Cut the whole plant at the base.
• Pluck the individual leaves at the stem.

Where Does Spinach Grow Best?

Spinach thrives best in a sunny area with partial shade in a raised garden bed.

Note that the soil must be fertile, easy to drain, and have neutral pH.

If you're wondering how to grow your best spinach yet, we recommend trying our Lettuce 8-15-36 Plus Micronutrients Fertilizer. 

2. Carrots

Carrots are a staple vegetable that most people buy weekly or monthly. The health benefits of carrots are numerous and you can easily add them to any meal.

When Can You Grow Carrots?

Carrots are best grown in spring because they thrive in the mild weather.

You can harvest carrots in 12 to 16 weeks.

What Soil is Best for Carrots?

Carrots grow best in:

• Loose, fertile soil
• Soil rich in organic matter
• Soil with a neutral pH
• Soil that has well-balanced nitrogen levels

Related Post: How to Prep Your Soil for Spring

What is the Best Fertilizer for Carrots?

Choose fertilizers with less nitrogen and more phosphate. Nitrogen is known to help foliage grow. It's best for leafy green vegetables, where as phosphate is known to support healthy growth of root vegetables, which is perfect for carrots! 

 We recommend trying out our Monopotassium Phosphate 0-52-34.

3. Cherries

Cherries are a sweet treat to plant in the spring. Depending on when you plant them, cherries can be full grown between mid-April and August.  

However, gathering them during early summer is advisable to avoid over ripening since they don't thrive in high heat weather.

You'll know when to harvest cherries by feeling for a firm fruit that is fully colored - typically red.

When to Fertilize a Cherry Tree?

The best time to fertilize a cherry tree is early spring. Any later than this and you risk gaining more branches and leaves rather than fruit.

Cherries require low-nitrogen fertilizers like our Monopotassium Phosphate 0-52-34, well-drained fertile soil and a sunny garden area.

Be careful not to over-fertilize them to avoid an imbalance that would result in pests and diseases.

4. Strawberries

Like any other berry fruit, strawberries thrive best in calm wind and can be harvested from May til June.

They are great in salads, smoothies, or toppings in desserts like waffles or pancakes.

Strawberries are sensitive to high nitrogen levels and require a balanced fertilizer.

Luckily, our specially formulated Strawberry 8-12-32 Plus Micronutrients fertilizer provides a balanced ratio of NKP and offers a dose of micronutrients for a well-rounded blend.

As for the type of soil that strawberries grow best in, deep, sandy loam soil with plenty of organic matter will do wonders for your strawberry plants. 

You can learn more about how to identify your soil type, in this article.

5. Cilantro

Cilantro is a versatile herb that can be used in a variety of dishes. Once harvested, the leaves are best in soups and meat sauces. Because of this, it makes a wonderful addition to any spring garden.

When to Plant Cilantro?

Cilantro can be planted at the beginning of spring, two weeks before the last frost date, depending on the region.

Related Post: Why Do Frost Dates Matter for Your Garden?

Where to Grow Cilantro?

Cilantro needs to be grown in full sun exposure or partial shade. The best type of soil for cilantro plants must be well-drained with medium moisture content and slightly acidic.

After plants reach 2 inches tall, fertilize every week with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer like our Pepper and Herb 11-11-40 Plus Micronutrients fertilizer, for maximum growth.

Grow With Greenway

Our list only mentions a few of the best plants to grow in the spring. Other options include spring flowering plants that will add a pop of color and design to the garden.

As you can see, each plant requires specific soil types and fertilizers.

Luckily, we have a wide range of fertilizers including water-soluble, hydroponic formulas, raw chemicals and specialty formulas.

You can head over to our home page to view all of our fertilizer collections and more. 

Any questions, our customer support team is always happy to help. Thanks for growing with Greenway!