When you imagine a vibrant garden, you likely think of colorful flowers, juicy tomatoes, and, if you’re as much of a masochist as I am, belligerent hot peppers. 

What do all these have in common? Summer temperatures, which, if you’re reading this in real time, are likely a ways away, but spring means different things depending on where you garden.

For those of us in Zones 9 and 10, spring is happening right now, with warm soil and mild air creating perfect conditions for quick crops before summer heat arrives. For gardeners in cooler zones (3-8), spring is still a few weeks or months away, but the same fast-growing plants will thrive once your last frost passes and the soil warms up.

The beauty of quick-growing spring crops is that they work everywhere. The timing shifts based on your climate, but the strategy stays the same: pack as much production as possible into that sweet window between winter cold and summer heat, and then swap in your summer seedlings.

Radishes: No Patience Needed

If you want immediate gratification, radishes are your plant (and no, they’re not all the same).

Most varieties are ready to harvest in 25-30 days, making them ideal for filling gaps between slower crops or teaching skeptical gardeners just how fast a garden can produce.

For Zones 9-10: Plant radishes now while the soil is warm and the nights are still cool. Tuck seeds into the inner pockets of the Garden Tower where moisture stays consistent, or just scatter them on top. Sow some black radishes if you’re still enjoying the cool of our rendition of winter/spring, or try a colorful mix as you look ahead to summer.

For Zones 3-8: Wait until your soil temperature reaches at least 40°F, typically 2-4 weeks before your last frost date. Radishes are cold-hardy and will germinate in cool soil, making them one of the first crops you can direct sow (and harvest) in spring.

The key with radishes is succession planting. Sow a new batch every two weeks, and you'll have fresh radishes all spring without overwhelming yourself with a single massive harvest.

Leafy Greens: Fast, Fresh, and Foolproof

Leafy greens are the backbone of spring gardening, and something I wish I could grow year-round here in Zone 10. They’re more nutritious, taste better when homegrown, and thrive in the cool conditions that make spring planting so rewarding.

Arugula (my personal favorite) germinates in days and grows aggressively, ready to harvest in just three weeks. Scatter sow it across the top of your tower or tuck it into outer pockets for continuous harvests. In Zones 9-10, you can plant it now, and in cooler zones, sow as soon as your soil is workable. Arugula tolerates light frost beautifully and actually tastes sweeter when grown in cooler temperatures. Be forewarned: if you let it go to seed in your tower, you will always find it popping up in spring.

Lettuce comes in enough varieties to keep things interesting all season. For the Garden Tower, lean toward loose-leaf varieties like Oak Leaf, Lollo Rosso, or Buttercrunch, as they don't bolt as quickly as head lettuces, and you can harvest outer leaves while the center keeps producing.

Zones 9-10 should plant now before temperatures climb, with harvests in 30-40 days. Cooler zones can start lettuce indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost, or direct sow once the soil reaches 40°F. Succession plant every two weeks to extend your harvest window, if your zone supports it.

Spinach is one of the most nutrient-packed plants you can grow, with baby leaves ready in as little as three weeks. Direct sow into the inner pockets of the tower where soil stays evenly moist, and don’t be afraid to try a few varieties. Bloomsdale is a classic, but Tyee or Space handle warm spells better. In cooler zones, spinach is exceptionally cold-hardy, germinating in soil as cool as 35°F.  Plant it 4-6 weeks before your last frost date. Harvest outer leaves as needed, or cut the whole plant at the base and let it regrow for multiple harvests.

Kale is hardier than most greens and incredibly productive through spring. Lacinato (dinosaur) kale and Red Russian are both excellent choices for the Garden Tower that I’ve grown for years.

In Zones 9-10, plant transplants now or direct sow for harvests in 50-60 days. Cooler zones should start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Kale improves with light frost, so don't rush it. Harvest lower leaves continuously while the plant keeps growing upward.

Peas: Sweet and Productive

Peas are one of my favorite spring crops because they taste incredible fresh off the vine and actively feed your soil while they grow, AND as nitrogen-fixers, they leave your Garden Tower better than they found it.

For Zones 9-10: Plant sugar snap peas now in pockets near the top of the tower where they can climb, or at the bottom from where you can stake them. Soak the seeds overnight before planting for faster germination. Within 60 days, you'll have crisp, sweet pods that taste like spring condensed into a single bite.

For Zones 3-8: Peas are among the earliest crops you can plant in spring. Sow them 4-6 weeks before your last frost date, as soon as the soil is workable. They tolerate frost and actually prefer cooler growing conditions. The earlier you plant, the better your harvest will be before summer heat arrives. 

Eat them raw, toss them into stir-fries or other recipes, or blanch and freeze them for later. Also, don’t be afraid to mix in some purple varieties for some lively garden-to-table wow factor.

Bok Choy: Mild, Versatile, and Quick

Unlike larger brassicas, which are tough in warmer zones, bok choy is one of the easiest and fastest brassicas to grow. Baby bok choy is ready in 30 days, and full-size heads come in around 45-50 days.

For Zones 9-10: Plant bok choy now in the outer pockets of your tower, spacing them a pocket or two apart so they have room to develop. They can easily grow anywhere in the tower, so long as you harvest them regularly.

For Zones 3-8: Start bok choy indoors 4-6 weeks before your last frost, or direct sow 2-4 weeks before your last frost date. It handles cool weather beautifully and will give you an early harvest before summer squash and tomatoes even think about producing.

And if you’ve never had bok choy, then you are really missing out, as it’s an incredibly versatile leafy green. Let this be the year you try growing it!

Wrapping Up

Spring looks different depending on where you garden, but the strategy stays the same: plant quick-growing crops that make the most of mild weather before summer arrives. For those of us in Zones 9 and 10, that means getting seeds in the ground now. For gardeners in cooler zones, it means planning ahead and jumping on that narrow window between frost and heat.

Unlike the heavy feeders of summer, these crops don't ask for much. They just need good soil, consistent moisture, and a little attention. In return, they'll give you fresh harvests in weeks, not months. So grab your seeds, fill those pockets, and get growing - spring won't wait, but it's absolutely worth catching while it's here.

FAQs

What vegetables grow fastest in spring?

Radishes are among the fastest spring crops, often ready in 25–30 days. Leafy greens like arugula and spinach can be harvested in about three weeks, while baby bok choy is ready in roughly 30 days. These crops thrive in cool soil and mild spring temperatures.

What can I plant in early spring before the last frost?

Cold-hardy crops like peas, spinach, kale, radishes, lettuce, and bok choy can be planted 2–6 weeks before your last frost date. Many will germinate in soil temperatures as low as 35–40°F and tolerate light frosts.

How soon can I plant spring vegetables?

You can plant as soon as your soil is workable and reaches about 40°F for most cool-season crops. In Zones 9–10, that may mean planting now. In Zones 3–8, planting typically begins several weeks before your last frost.

How long does it take to harvest spring crops?

Fast-growing spring crops can be harvested in as little as 25–30 days (radishes and baby greens). Others, like peas and kale, may take 50–60 days but produce steadily once established.

When should I switch from spring crops to summer vegetables?

Transition from spring crops to summer crops when temperatures consistently rise and cool-season crops begin to bolt. In warm zones, this may happen in late spring. In cooler zones, it typically aligns with the end of frost risk and soil warming.