Because young pea plants can survive a light frost and seeds will germinate in soil temperatures as low as 40°F, peas can be planted as soon as the ground has thawed and the soil is workable. A few tips: think about your growing zone when choosing what peas to plant in your garden, consider having your soil tested so you can make tailored amendments, and determine what type of trellising you’ll use as the plants grow. 

To plant, simply dig a shallow trench and place your seeds in rows, about six to seven inches apart. Cover them with one inch of soil, patting it down as you go. How much water your growing plants need will depend on the springtime climate conditions and the characteristics of your soil (for example, more water is needed during a dry spring, or when growing in sandy soils). Peas generally need 60 days of growth before harvest, but will stop growing once temperatures climb above 85°F. To have a longer harvest, plant early, midseason, and late varieties at the same time. 

As a semi-hardy plant, lettuce can withstand a light frost, making it one of the first vegetables that can be planted in the garden. Early spring lettuce should be planted in full sun, or in soil that will be warm enough to encourage growth. In contrast to peas, lettuce plants need abundant soil nutrients (especially nitrogen) to thrive; before planting, work plenty of organic materials (such as manure or compost) into the soil. 

Planting instructions depend on the type of lettuce you plan to grow; leaf or butterhead lettuces can be sown directly into the soil, while cos (romaine) types should be transplanted. Consider a successive planting or using varieties that have different maturation rates (similar to peas), to lengthen your harvest period. "Once the lettuce begins to mature, you can start harvesting the outer leaves so the leaves inside will continue to grow," says Ben Gordon, a landscape designer and the owner of Metropolitan Garden and Design. 

Nothing is sweeter than a homegrown carrot; according to the Farmer’s Almanac, this is because the naturally occurring sugars in carrots are replaced by fiber as they age on grocery store shelves. Considered a cool season vegetable, carrot seeds can be sown about two weeks before the last spring frost. Carrot seeds can germinate in soil temperatures as low as 40°F, but will do best between 55-65°F.  

To plant, till your soil to a depth of 8-10 inches, making sure there are no rocks, stones, or hard clumps of soil. If your soil isn’t naturally loose and airy, amend it with compost and 6 inches of sandy topsoil. Carrots like manure-free (or well decomposed) compost, and benefit from wood ash worked into the top four inches of the soil. Sow seeds directly into the prepared soil, about ¼ inch deep and 2-3 inches apart, in rows that are one foot apart. As the seeds are germinating, keep your soil moist with frequent, shallow watering and make sure the soil never forms a hard crust.   

A fun trick is to plant your carrots and radishes together in the same row. You'll pull the radishes first and leave room for the carrots to continue growing, getting double use from the space! Carrots and radishes are great for growing in raised garden beds because the deep soil is perfect for their long roots.

German chamomile, the variety most commonly grown for chamomile tea, can be directly sown in early spring shortly before the last spring frost, when the soil temperature is above 55°F. This popular herb is easy to grow from seed or transplant from pots, and can re-seed itself in subsequent growing seasons. 

Chamomile prefers a sunny spot with free draining soil (very light). To sow, broadcast the seeds on the surface of your prepared soil, as they require sunlight to germinate. As they grow, protect tender young seedlings from slugs and snails, keep them well watered until they are firmly rooted, and where necessary, thin the plants to 6-12 inches apart.

As a cool-season, cold-tolerant perennial, chives can be planted in early to mid-spring for an early summer harvest. A small, onion-like plant, chives prefer full sun, rich soil, and regular watering. They are a great early garden plant, because they can be harvested continuously; cutting them back encourages new growth. 

Before planting, incorporate 4-6 inches of well-composted organic matter into the soil, working it 6-8 inches deep. Sow chive seeds directly into soil as soon as it’s workable in the spring. Place the seeds about two inches apart and ¼ inch deep, and cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil. As the seedlings emerge, thin them to 4-6 inches apart. Chives are easy to transplant, and established chive plants actually become more productive if divided every 3-4 years. So if you know someone who already has chives, offer to help them divide theirs in exchange for a transplant!

Able to germinate in temperatures as low as 50°F, parsley seeds can be sown outdoors 3-4 weeks before the last spring frost. Parsley plants prefer full sun and grow best in slightly acidic (around 6.0 pH), well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. To ensure success, work compost into the soil before planting. 

Parsley seeds have a lower than average germination rate, so try soaking them overnight before sowing to increase your chances of success. To plant, sow the seeds in your prepared garden bed about 6-8 inches apart, and ¼ inch deep. As the seeds germinate over a 2-4 week period, keep the soil moist. 

Columbine is a hardy, pollinator-friendly plant that can be planted in early spring. It requires full sun to partial shade, and does best in rich soil that is moist but well-drained. To sow, press your seeds onto the surface of the prepared soil. As the flowers come up, thin them to allow the strongest plants room and resources to thrive. 

Columbine represents approximately 70 species, and researchers at Harvard and the University of California have found the flowers of each species are tailored to the length of their pollinator’s tongues. Depending on the variety, columbine flowers can be pollinated by butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, or moths. When choosing which variety of Columbine to plant, look into what varieties are native to your region. 

Violets are an ephemeral early spring flower, a harbinger of warmer, sunnier days. Because they tolerate cold temperatures, they can be among the first flowering plants placed outdoors after the snow melts. Once in the ground, they'll reseed for years. 

In most regions, violets can be planted in early spring or fall. If planting a seedling, dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball and space your plants approximately 6-12 inches apart (depending on the specifications of your cultivar). Most violet cultivars will grow best in full sun to partial shade, with rich, organic soils. Keep your violet flowers evenly watered, and mulch if needed.