7 Best Vegetables to Grow in Spring in the UK

7 Best Vegetables to Grow in Spring in the UK

Spring is the perfect time to grow delicious veg in the UK. These 7 vegetables are easy to grow for both beginners & experienced gardeners. Get all the tips from WM James & Co!

In the UK, spring is a great time to plant seeds to grow vegetables. If you are thinking about starting a vegetable garden, it is important to plan ahead for the growing season so you can enjoy a summer harvest.

The weather is milder, and there is plenty of sunlight from early spring. Cool weather leads to a range of spring vegetables that can be grown in just a few weeks, allowing you to enjoy fresh produce in time for summer and autumn.

You'll first need to check for the last frost date in your area to identify the best time. Usually, mid-spring is a great time to start growing!

Secondly, you'll need to choose the right vegetables for your climate and soil type and make sure you have enough space for them. Also, you should prepare the soil and buy or sow the seeds to reap the benefits of a beautiful spring garden!

If you are looking for a challenge, you could try growing vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers or peppers. These vegetables need warm weather to thrive, so they should not be planted until late spring or early summer.

7 Easy Spring Vegetables You Can Grow Yourself

This selection of spring vegetables is perfect for both beginners and intermediate gardeners alike. They all produce a wealth of food to be harvested, and some can be picked over and over again too.

The great thing about this combination of vegetables is that they provide the perfect ingredients for refreshing summer salads, a selection of perfect accompaniments to a Sunday roast and even an option for pickling.

So, let's get growing!

Lettuce

The two main types of lettuce are the hard-cored hearting lettuce and then the loose-leafed ones. These loose-leaf lettuce varieties can be grown very easily and will continue to provide you with tasty salad leaves for months.

Tips for Growing Lettuce At Home

Here are our top tips for growing your own lettuce at home:

  • Sow ½ inch deep in rows 1ft apart starting in March through to early August
  • Water when soil is dry in the morning and cover with fleece if it gets frosty
  • Thin out seedlings often, using the baby leaves in salads and as healthy topping

Lettuce is one of the best vegetables to plant in spring because they don’t take much time or effort to grow, and can provide you with a steady supply of delicious lettuce for months.

Spinach

This healthy, leafy vegetable is packed with iron and protein, making it a perfect addition to any diet. It grows fast and easily and is perfect for almost any dish, from pasta to curries and salads.

Your spinach needs some quality fertile soil that retains moisture to thrive, so it grows very well in the shade.

Tips for Growing Spinach At Home

Here are our top tips for growing your own spinach:

Radishes

Radishes are another fantastic addition to salads, adding a slightly fiery and flavoursome crunch to your dish.

They can be somewhat temperamental if you don't take care of them properly, but with enough care, you'll have a wonderful harvest.

Tips for Growing Radishes At Home

Here are our tips for growing radishes at your home:

  • Keep soil moist as the roots can split if it gets dry
  • These grow fast, so you won't need many
  • Replant radish tops, and a new radish will grow 

The key is to be consistent with your watering and thinning, as both of these activities will help you maximise the yield of spinach and radishes.

Carrots

Nothing beats a great homegrown carrot, and this cornerstone of the crop world is the perfect choice if you've got a little bit of space. Plant some of these in a raised bed alongside rows of potatoes and other root vegetables.

Tips for Growing Carrots at Home

Follow our top tips for growing carrots in your home garden:

  • Sow thinly at ½ inch deep
  • Protect vulnerable seedlings from slugs using traps
  • Don't overwater – a good soak once a week will suffice

Carrots are relatively easy to grow, and with a little bit of effort, you'll be harvesting some truly delicious homegrown carrots in no time.

Beetroot

Beetroot or beets are perfect vegetables due to their adaptability. Slice them on top of a salad, roast them up on a Sunday afternoon, or throw them in an airtight jar with some vinegar and some mustard seeds for some delicious pickled beetroot.

Tips for Growing Beetroot At Home

Make the most of your beetroot-growing with our tips:

  • Sow in batches every few weeks between March to July for regular harvests
  • Use a nitrogen-rich fertiliser for better growth
  • Harvest starts in the early summer months

Beans

Beans are all fantastic additions to any garden as they produce a lot of food in such a small area due to their verticality. They require a sunny space with a bit of cover and should be sown outside during March and April to be harvested over the entire summer.

Tips for Growing Beans At Home

Here are our top tips for growing beans at home:

  • Sow seeds fairly deep – about 2 to 3 inches
  • Sow in rows and support plants as they grow using garden string and canes
  • Continue to soak plants when they begin flowering and regularly water dry soil

Our plant support netting is ideal for growing beans, as it can be attached to posts or trellis for easy installation. This netting will help you create the ideal environment for your climbing bean plants to thrive.

Turnips

Turnips are perfect for harvesting during the winter months and make for an amazing addition to a hearty stew. However, you can grow early turnips, sowing in March to harvest throughout the summer. 

Tips for Growing Turnips At Home

Growing turnips is an easy task, as long as you keep in mind the following tips:

  • Cover with a mesh that is insect-proof to avoid cabbage root fly larvae 
  • Avoid stunted, woody roots by watering regularly during dry seasons
  • Ensure good drainage in the soil to reduce the risk of clubroot

Summary: Spring Vegetables to Plant in the UK

There are so many amazing crops that you can grow right in your back garden, and with enough care and consideration, you'll be well on your way to becoming more self-sustainable.

Once you've gotten the hang of growing these simple yet satisfying options, you can add more of your favourites for an exciting garden assortment!

Follow our tips above to make the most out of your vegetable growing, and make sure to check out our garden netting options to protect your veg from hungry pests like cabbage root fly larvae.

FAQs

What are the Best Veggies to Plant in Spring?

The best vegetables to plant in the UK during springtime are those that thrive in cooler temperatures, such as lettuce, spinach, radishes, turnips, beetroot and beans.

What Vegetables Can I Plant in May in the UK?

Some of the best vegetables to plant in may include beetroot, carrots, French and runner beans and courgettes.

What are Seasonal Vegetables?

Seasonal vegetables are those that naturally grow in a particular season and are typically the most abundant during that period. In the UK, seasonal vegetables include broccoli, kale, cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts and onions.