Welcoming Spring: What to Plant and More
This month we’re welcoming the vernal transition! March 19th is the first day of spring, but signs of the season are all around, so don’t forget to pause and take in the budding wildflowers and the cool breeze. It’s time for grounding work in the garden and sunny strolls at the farmer’s market. To make the most of spring this year, here’s what to plant, what to eat, and more!
What to Plant
Now’s the time to start your spring garden! The average last frost here in Central Texas is March 15th, but pay attention to the weather forecast in your state and be prepared for surprise freezes. Pro tip: Check a pecan or mesquite tree, as they only leaf out after frosts have finished.
Here’s what to focus on planting in early spring:
- Flowers: After the final frost, it’s time to plant your annuals like zinnias and cosmos, and add in spring-blooming perennial transplants. Plant sunflowers in late March for fiery blooms in summer.
- Veggies: Sow seed for corn, cucumber, summer squash, peas, pole beans, winter squash, pumpkin, and warm-season greens. Transplant your eggplant, peppers, and tomatoes, too! For leafy greens like spinach and lettuce, choose early varieties that mature in less than 40 days so you can get them in before the heat hits in May.
- Herbs: Get busy transplanting herbs like basil, mint, oregano, thyme, rosemary, dill, and more.
- Fruits: As the soil warms up to about 65 degrees, it’s time to start planting your melons! Early spring is also a time to plant berries like blueberries and raspberries.
What to Notice
In late March and early April, spring sights and sounds come out in full force. This is high time to make that state park reservation, book a guided wildlife tour, or hit the biking and hiking trails before the temps get sultry.
- Birds: As you’re walking around, use a bird app like Merlin to identify the cheerful sounds you’re hearing, as many birds will be migrating through during the season.
- Blossoms: During early spring, you can expect to see fresh blooms from cherry trees to roses to carpets of wildflowers, so venture out and enjoy the vernal colors.
- Eclipse: Be sure to mark your calendar for the total eclipse on Monday, April 8th, when the moon’s path will blot out the sun. Prepare by getting yourself eclipse glasses and plan to be somewhere you can see the sky.
Don’t forget the essentials on your spring adventures. Pack some SPF, layers, and protein snacks for fuel.
What to Eat
Early spring provides a different bounty in different areas. Check your local farmer’s market or CSA website for updates on which fruits and veggies to expect. In March, you might already see spring peas, snap peas, microgreens, beets, carrots, and greens like kale, arugula and spinach. You could even enjoy some perky strawberries as early as March.
Follow along for a variety of seasonal recipes to eat with your Kibo chips. Root veggies like turnips make for a great hiking snack with a little salt or a spring dip, while herbs like dill, cilantro, and mint add flavor and freshness to any spring salad!
Kibo’s Contribution
Our mission goes so much deeper than just providing plant-based snacks. We’ll also be planting alongside you! Kibo’s sustainability program, Sowing Good Habits with Kibo, seeks to implement sustainable food systems, agroecological practices, and nutritional education to reduce food insecurity for families in Colombia and Costa Rica.
This spring, we’re sowing seeds of change together. We want to see a world where people are empowered to feed themselves and their families fresh food they’ve grown using green, regenerative practices. So grab a snack, head outside, and enjoy all that this beautiful earth has to offer!
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