11 Spring Crops to Get Your Tower Garden Buzzing Early
Spring into Growing: 11 Crops to Get Your Tower Garden Buzzing Early!
Ah, springtime! That magical season when everything blooms, and we’re caught in the eternal debate: Do I plant now and risk a sneaky frost attack, or do I wait another week? Well, with a Tower Garden, you don’t have to stress! One of the coolest perks is how it stretches your growing season on both ends—early planting and a late harvest for the win! 🎉
If you haven’t planned your garden yet, what are you waiting for?! NOW is the time! Clean that Tower, map out your spring crops, and get ready to plant as soon as the last frost has passed. If a frosty forecast shows up at the last minute, don’t panic! You can:
- Scoot your Tower closer to the house
- Cover it up
- Use a submersible heater
- Or even bring it inside for a cozy sleepover in the garage
Now, let’s talk crops! Here are 11 cool-weather champs that will have you growing like a pro—just be ready to protect them from frost. 🧊
1. Strawberries 🍓
Sweet, juicy, and everyone’s favorite berry! Strawberries are perfect for Tower Gardens. Plus, they’ve topped the EWG’s Dirty Dozen list for 8 years straight, so growing your own means skipping all those pesky pesticides. You can grow them in the regular growing pots, or ramp up production and grow up to 32 in a Baby Greens Extension Kit!
🌡 Pro tip: Strawberries love cool weather and will thrive until temps hit 85°F regularly. Want to grow them inside? No problem! Just hand-pollinate those blooms, and you’re good to go!
Learn more about at Growing Strawberries in the Tower Garden.
2. Spinach 🌿
Popeye was onto something! Spinach is packed with nutrients, but it’s also a bit picky. It loves cool weather and can be one of the first to bolt when temps hit the 80s. Germinating spinach seeds can be tricky—don’t feel bad if they play hard to get! If you’re struggling, grab some pre-started seedlings.
3. Kale 🥬
Kale is the gift that keeps on giving! Start harvesting in just 28 days, and you’ll be picking leaves for months. It’s tough enough to survive the mid-90s and even gets a little sweeter after a frost. With varieties like Green Curly, Red Russian, and Toscano or Lacinato, you’ll have plenty of options for smoothies, salads, and snacks.
4. Lettuce 🥗
Fresh, crisp lettuce in just four weeks? Yes, please! Lettuce is a cool-weather superstar, and some heat-tolerant varieties can hang in there until the low 90s. Start seeds every couple of weeks for a steady supply—or save time and grab seedlings.
5. Cabbage 🥬
Cabbage thrives in cool weather, but unlike kale and lettuce, it’s not a fan of the 80s. Give it 2-3 months, and you’ll have beautiful heads of cabbage ready to transform into coleslaw, stir-fries, or kimchi!
6. Broccoli 🥦
Broccoli loves the cold, but when temps rise above 80°F, it bolts. While waiting for those heads to form (it takes about three months), snack on the leaves—they’re delicious sautéed or juiced! Just don’t over-harvest them; those leaves are essential for the plant’s energy.
We offer Belstar and Happy Rich Broccoli Seedlings.
7. Cauliflower 🥦
Cauliflower is another cool-weather champ! Like broccoli, it takes about three months to form a head. Hot weather will cause it to bolt, so get it planted early. Bonus: You can eat the leaves too!
We offer Snow Crown, Cheddar and Lavender Cauliflower seedlings.
8. Romanesco 🤩
If veggies could be runway models, Romanesco would win the crown. With its spiral, neon-green florets, it’s a showstopper. It’s mild, nutty, and perfect roasted, steamed, or sautéed. Just like broccoli and cauliflower, it’s happiest in cool temps. Romanesco can be hard to find in the stores, so why not grow it yourself.
9. Pac Choi (Bok Choy) 🥢
Pac Choi is the MVP of Asian cooking. It grows quickly, even when the temps start to warm up. Stir-fry it with garlic, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes for a flavor-packed side dish! Both green and red varieties are available, and they’re nutrient powerhouses packed with vitamins and antioxidants.
We offer both green and red pac choi seedlings.
10. Arugula 🌱
Peppery, bold, and a little wild—arugula is the rebel of leafy greens. It grows fast (3-4 weeks to harvest!) and can hang in there well into the warmer months. Younger leaves are milder, while older ones bring the heat.
11. Peas 🌿
Sweet, crunchy, and oh-so-satisfying! Peas love cool weather but will call it quits when things heat up. Give them a trellis to climb and watch them go wild. Whether it’s sugar snap or snow peas, they’re perfect for snacking right off the vine.
We currently offer Sugar Snap Pea seedlings.
And there you have it! These 11 crops are your springtime dream team, ready to thrive in cooler temps. Not on this list but also cool-weather-friendly? Check out our full lineup of seedlings to mix things up.
So what are you waiting for? Dust off that Tower Garden and start growing! 🌱 Your spring harvest awaits!