The spring garden is my favorite garden. There is little heat, there are almost no pests or diseases to worry about, and with our warmer climate in Northern Virginia you can really get going early. Here is my general plan:

1. I start my first seeds inside on 1 February. This includes all of my salad mix (Kale, Mizuna Mustard, Tokyo Bekana, Spinach, and Arugula); Chinese cabbage; head cabbage, and beets.

2. I let these grow inside for 4 or 5 weeks under my light setup (see the indoor section for more).

3. The first or second week of March I move these seedlings out into the garden (i don’t “harden” them off since I put them under plastic from the beginning; I’ve never had a problem with this method but maybe I would be better off).

4. At the same time I move the seedlings outside, I direct sow my carrot seeds, French breakfast radish seeds, and the Hakurai turnip seeds. [if you don’t have indoor lights you can direct sow everything at this time; i.e. direct sow the cabbages and greens at this time]

5. All of the seedlings and seeds live under Agribon row cover and/or 6 mil plastic that I drape over bent PVC pipe to make a hoop house.

6. On/about 1 March I plant my tomato and bell pepper seeds indoors under lights.

7. Around 7 March I plant my cucumber seeds indoors under lights (i would plant squash at the same time if I was growing it that year).

8. On/about 15 March I put my potato cuttings into the ground (i order them from Johnny’s Seeds). These are under plastic/row cover as well.

9. Around the second week of April (depending on weather) I put the tomato and pepper plants outside but under 6 mil plastic.

10. Then I wait! See below for pictures of the spring harvests…