12 Crops You Can Direct Sow in the Garden Now
Spring has arrived, and it's the perfect time to get seeds in the ground. These 12 crops can be direct sown right now, saving you time and giving you a head start on the growing season. Gardening expert Madison Moulton lists easy-to-grow vegetables you can plant directly in your garden now.
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The gardening season is officially in full swing. Warmer temperatures settling in and the risk of frost diminishing in many regions mean you can finally start planting in your vegetable garden (beyond the early-season crops you may have already established).
While some vegetables benefit from indoor sowing and transplanting, others actually prefer to be directly sown. Direct sowing saves you time and resources, but also eliminates the risks of transplant shock, allowing your plants to develop stronger root systems from the start.
Early spring is the perfect time to get these seeds in the ground, giving them plenty of time to establish before the summer heat arrives. Here are 12 crops you can directly sow in your garden right now for a productive growing season ahead.
Kale
Kale is one of those cool-season crops that can be direct sown as soon as soil can be worked in spring. The seeds germinate surprisingly well in cooler soil temperatures, often emerging in just a week when conditions are right.
Young seedlings can withstand temperatures as low as 20°F without damage, making unexpected late frosts far less concerning than with other vegetables. This hardiness means you can sow a few weeks earlier than more tender greens.
Beyond convenience, direct sowing kale has some other benefits. The seedlings develop stronger roots when grown in place rather than being disturbed by transplanting. These deeper root systems help kale withstand both spring rains and summer heat as the season progresses.
For variety options, Lacinato (also known as Dinosaur kale) has always been a standout performer. Its attractive blue-green leaves and mild flavor make it versatile in the kitchen, too. If you prefer something with more visual impact, ‘Redbor’ kale produces beautiful reddish-purple leaves that add stunning color to your garden beds.
Arugula
If you’re looking for the quickest return on your gardening efforts, arugula should be at the top of your direct-sowing list now. This peppery green matures impressively fast, often ready for harvest in just 21-28 days after planting.
Though it can be grown throughout the year, spring-planted arugula develops the best flavor, noticeably less bitter than summer crops but with more complexity than fall plantings.
Direct sowing is definitely the way to go with arugula. Its delicate taproot doesn’t transplant well, and the seeds germinate so quickly (often within 3-5 days) that starting indoors offers little advantage. Plus, arugula tends to bolt quickly when its growth is interrupted, making direct sowing the better option.
When direct sowing these seeds now, scatter thinly in rows about 6 inches apart, barely covering them. I prefer to sow every two weeks for continuous harvests. Keep the soil consistently moist during germination.
Lettuce
Few things are more satisfying than growing your own salad greens, and lettuce is perhaps the most versatile and rewarding of them all. While many gardeners start lettuce indoors, direct sowing is just as effective, especially in spring, when soil temperatures have warmed just enough for reliable germination.
Moderate temperatures promote steady growth without the risk of bolting that comes with warmer weather. The seeds germinate quickly (usually within 7-10 days), and the shallow root systems develop better when not disturbed by transplanting.
There is an impressive selection of lettuces, making it difficult to choose your favorite. ‘Farmer’s Market Blend provides a beautiful mix of colors and textures. For heat resistance (important as spring transitions to summer), ‘Great Lakes’ is ideal, with crisp leaves that maintain quality long after other varieties have bolted.
Once seedlings develop their first true leaves, thin according to type (about 6 inches for leaf lettuces and 10 inches for heading varieties). Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged to prevent bitter flavor.
Spinach
Spinach thrives in early spring conditions, making now an excellent time for direct sowing. Spinach seeds germinate remarkably well in cool soil, often sprouting within 7-14 days when temperatures are between 45-70°F.
The longer you wait to plant spinach, the more likely it will flower quickly and turn bitter. The delicate root system doesn’t transplant well, and the seedlings often struggle to recover from the shock. You’ll see better growth and leaf production from direct-sown spinach compared to transplants.
‘Bloomsdale’ is a go-to for spring planting. It handles fluctuating temperatures better than most varieties and produces thick, dark green leaves with amazing flavor. For something different, ‘Lavewa’ spinach has better bolt resistance and tender leaves.
For successful direct sowing, plant spinach seeds about ½ inch deep in rows 12 inches apart. With proper care, you can expect to harvest baby leaves in about 28 days and full-sized leaves in 40-45 days.
Swiss Chard
If you’re looking for a versatile green that bridges the gap between cool spring and hot summer, Swiss chard is a perfect crop for direct sowing now. This beautiful leafy vegetable germinates well in cool soil but continues to produce through the heat when other greens have bolted.
Planting now gives Swiss chard the ideal start, allowing roots to establish during milder weather while setting up for continuous harvest throughout the growing season. Unlike many other greens, Swiss chard doesn’t mind the transition from spring into summer, making it one of the most reliable producers year after year.
Direct sowing Swiss chard often yields better results than transplanting. The seedlings establish deeper root systems when grown in place, which contributes to their heat tolerance later in the season.
There are many excellent chard varieties, but ‘Celebration’ has to be my favorite. The technicolor stems in shades of yellow, pink, orange, and red add visual appeal to both the garden and your plate. For something more traditional, ‘Fordhook Giant’ produces enormous, dark green leaves with thick white stems that hold up wonderfully in cooking.
When direct sowing these crops, plant seeds about in rows 18-24 inches apart. Thin seedlings to about 8 inches apart for baby leaf harvest or 12 inches apart for full-sized plants. Germination can be somewhat slow, so be patient and keep the soil consistently moist.
Carrots
Carrots are among the most rewarding crops to direct sow, though they require a bit more attention to detail. The seeds germinate best when soil temperatures reach about 50°F, which typically happens by mid-spring in most growing zones.
Now is the perfect time for sowing carrots in several regions because the soil has warmed enough for reliable germination while still offering the cool growing conditions that carrots prefer. Getting them in the ground now means they’ll develop their characteristic sweetness without the woodiness that can occur in summer-grown carrots.
Direct sowing is absolutely essential for carrots. Their delicate taproots don’t transplant well. Even the slightest disturbance can result in forked or stunted roots, which is why direct sowing is the best option.
‘Danvers 126’ is a reliable carrot that performs consistently well in a variety of soil conditions. For something more colorful, try ‘Cosmic Purple’ carrots, which feature striking purple skin with orange interiors, or the ‘Atomic Red’ variety for bright red hues.
Carrots need loose, well-draining soil to develop straight roots. Sow seeds thinly (they’re tiny) about ¼ inch deep. When thinning, snip unwanted seedlings to avoid disturbing the remaining plants.
Radishes
For nearly instant gratification in the garden, nothing beats radishes. These peppery vegetables are perhaps the quickest crop you can direct sow. Plus, spring-planted radishes typically have milder flavor compared to those grown during hotter periods.
Extremely rapid growth means transplanting would be pointless, and their delicate taproots would be damaged in the process. That’s why direct sowing is ideal. Radish seeds germinate reliably in spring soil, often emerging in just 3-5 days.
‘Easter Egg’ spring radishes provide a colorful mix of pink, purple, red, and white to bring some color to your kitchen. For something milder, ‘French Breakfast’ have an elongated shape and gentler flavor.
The key to tender radishes is prompt harvesting, as most spring varieties are ready within 21-30 days. Leaving them in the ground too long impacts flavor. For continuous harvests, sow small batches every 7-10 days rather than planting all at once.
Beets
Beets are among my favorite spring crops to direct sow, offering the double benefit of nutritious roots and delicious greens from a single planting. They are ideal for gardeners in cooler climates due to their ability to handle light frosts while still appreciating the warming spring soil.
Beets germinate best when soil temperatures are between 50-75°F. The moderate temperatures also promote steady root development without the toughness that can develop in summer-grown beets. Direct sowing is necessary as transplanting disturbs their sensitive root development, often resulting in stunted or malformed roots.
‘Early Wonder’ is one of the most reliable crops to direct sow now, producing sweet roots and abundant greens earlier than most varieties. For something visually eye-catching, ‘Chioggia’ beets have beautiful candy-striped interiors when sliced, while ‘Golden Boy’ beets offer a milder, less “earthy” flavor.
Keep the soil consistently moist during germination, which typically takes 7-14 days. Depending on the variety, harvest beets when they reach 1½-3 inches in diameter for the sweetest flavor.
Turnips
Turnips are often overlooked in modern gardens, but these fast-growing root vegetables deserve a place on your April sowing list. You’ll come to appreciate their versatility and reliability, especially when planted in early spring.
Spring conditions are ideal for turnip seeds to germinate quickly and develop sweet, tender roots before summer heat arrives. Like many root crops, turnips develop their best flavor during cool growing conditions.
Like other root crops, their taproot development begins immediately after germination. Any disruption when transplanting leads to misshapen or stunted roots. Fortunately, turnip seeds germinate readily in cool soil.
One of my favorite benefits of growing turnips is their root-to-stem uses. Both the roots and the greens are edible and nutritious. You can harvest the outer leaves while the roots continue to develop, essentially getting two vegetables from one plant.
Peas
Peas are a must-plant in spring, one of the earliest crops you can direct sow. While some gardeners plant peas as early as February or March, April plantings often catch up quickly as they benefit from consistently warm soil.
‘Sugar Snap’ peas produce crisp pods that can be eaten whole at any stage. They’re actually difficult to harvest because you probably will have eaten them all fresh by the time you bring them into the kitchen. For shelling peas, ‘Green Arrow’ produces abundant pods packed with sweet and tasty peas.
Plant seeds about 1 inch deep and 2 inches apart in rows. Provide support at planting time to avoid disturbing roots later. Pre-soaking seeds overnight speeds up germination, which typically occurs within 7-14 days.
Peas are sensitive to high temperatures. Plant them early enough that they’ll finish producing before summer heat arrives, which typically means planting no later than April in most regions. With proper timing, you’ll be harvesting sweet, tender peas within 60-70 days.
Corn
While many gardeners associate corn with summer harvests, now is actually the perfect time to direct sow these crops in many growing regions. Getting corn in the ground early can lead to stronger plants and often helps avoid some of the pest pressure that comes later in the season.
Corn requires soil temperatures of at least 60°F for reliable germination. By mid-spring, if the soil has warmed enough, direct sowing is a great choice. This timing also gives corn the long growing season it needs to reach maturity.
Although direct sowing is not vital for corn, the roots are sensitive to disturbance which can make transplanting time tricky. The good news is that corn seeds are large and easy to handle, making them perfect for direct sowing, even for beginners.
The best part about growing your own corn is the colorful and unique varieties to choose from. ‘Painted Hill’ and ‘Glass Gem’ produce cobs that are so pretty you won’t want to eat them. Luckily, they also make amazing fall decorations.
Bunching Onions
Also known as scallions or green onions, bunching onions are one of the most versatile and easy-to-grow crops you can direct sow now. Unlike bulbing onions that require more precise timing, bunching onions are forgiving and productive throughout the growing season.
‘Tokyo Long White‘ produces slender, elegant white stalks with a mild flavor that works well in Asian dishes. They are also cold-tolerant, growing best in milder climates for early spring harvests. When direct sowing bunching onions, sprinkle seeds lightly in a shallow trench about ¼ inch deep.
While bunching onions can be started indoors, direct sowing is also a great option if you missed the indoor sowing window. Their fine root systems do establish better when undisturbed, and the seeds germinate readily in spring soil. Plus, direct sowing eliminates the fussy process of transplanting these delicate seedlings.
Germination is relatively slow, often taking 10-14 days. Be patient and keep the soil consistently moist. You can begin pulling them when they reach pencil thickness, usually within 60-70 days, or leave them to continue developing larger stalks.
