Spring Vegetables UK: 25 Best Crops to Grow for a Productive Season

Spring is the perfect time to start growing vegetables in the UK. As temperatures rise and daylight hours increase, gardens, allotments, and even small container spaces can produce an abundance of fresh, nutritious crops. Whether you’re planting quick-growing greens, hearty root vegetables, or early-season salad leaves, there are plenty of spring vegetables to enjoy.

In this article, you will learn:

• 25 of the best vegetables to plant in spring in the UK.
• How to grow and care for these vegetables.
• The best methods for sowing, transplanting, and harvesting for maximum yields.
• Answers to the top 10 frequently asked questions about spring vegetable gardening.
• A detailed meta description optimized for SEO.

Let’s explore the best spring vegetables for a productive and delicious harvest in the UK!

Introduction: Why Grow Spring Vegetables?

Spring is a key season for gardening, offering an ideal window for sowing seeds and transplanting young plants. Growing your own spring vegetables in the UK provides:

✅ Fresh, organic produce straight from the garden.
✅ A head start on the growing season for summer crops.
✅ Cost savings compared to supermarket prices.
✅ A rewarding and sustainable way to eat seasonally.

From hardy leafy greens to fast-growing roots, these spring vegetables will fill your plates with fresh, homegrown goodness!

Top 25 Vegetables to Plant in Spring in the UK

Early Spring Vegetables (February – March)

1. Radishes (Raphanus sativus)

• Why It’s Great: One of the fastest-growing crops—ready in just 3-4 weeks.
• How to Grow: Sow directly outdoors in well-drained soil.

2. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)

• Why It’s Great: Thrives in cooler temperatures and produces quickly.
• How to Grow: Sow in containers or directly into garden beds.

3. Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)

• Why It’s Great: A hardy leafy green packed with nutrients.
• How to Grow: Prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial shade.

4. Spring Onions (Allium fistulosum)

• Why It’s Great: A versatile crop for salads and stir-fries.
• How to Grow: Sow directly in rows for continuous harvests.

5. Beetroot (Beta vulgaris)

• Why It’s Great: Can be harvested young for baby beets or left to mature.
• How to Grow: Sow directly in well-drained soil with good sunlight.

6. Peas (Pisum sativum)

• Why It’s Great: Easy to grow and packed with sweet, fresh flavour.
• How to Grow: Sow directly or start indoors and transplant after frost.

7. Kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica)

• Why It’s Great: A hardy superfood that thrives in spring.
• How to Grow: Best in nutrient-rich, well-drained soil.

Mid-Spring Vegetables (March – April)

8. Carrots (Daucus carota)

• Why It’s Great: Tolerates cool weather and improves in flavour after a frost.
• How to Grow: Sow seeds directly in sandy, well-drained soil.

9. Rocket (Eruca vesicaria)

• Why It’s Great: Quick-growing and adds a peppery kick to salads.
• How to Grow: Sow in succession for continuous harvests.

10. Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica)

• Why It’s Great: Produces healthy, vitamin-rich florets.
• How to Grow: Transplant seedlings into well-prepared beds.

11. Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla)

• Why It’s Great: A colourful, nutrient-rich leafy green.
• How to Grow: Prefers moist soil and partial sun.

12. Turnips (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa)

• Why It’s Great: Dual-purpose—eat the greens or the roots.
• How to Grow: Sow seeds directly and thin as they grow.

13. Cabbage (Brassica oleracea)

• Why It’s Great: Hardy and perfect for early-season planting.
• How to Grow: Transplant young plants into nutrient-rich soil.

14. Pak Choi (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis)

• Why It’s Great: A fast-growing leafy vegetable for stir-fries.
• How to Grow: Best grown in partial shade with consistent watering.

Late Spring Vegetables (April – May)

15. Courgettes (Cucurbita pepo)

• Why It’s Great: Prolific and easy to grow.
• How to Grow: Sow indoors in April for planting out after frost.

16. Brussels Sprouts (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera)

• Why It’s Great: Requires a long growing season but thrives in the UK.
• How to Grow: Start seedlings in spring for an autumn harvest.

17. Celery (Apium graveolens)

• Why It’s Great: Crisp, refreshing, and perfect for salads.
• How to Grow: Prefers rich soil and lots of water.

18. Leeks (Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum)

• Why It’s Great: A staple vegetable for soups and stews.
• How to Grow: Start indoors and transplant into deep holes.

19. Parsnips (Pastinaca sativa)

• Why It’s Great: A sweet, nutty root vegetable that improves with cold weather.
• How to Grow: Requires deep, well-dug soil.

20. Sweetcorn (Zea mays)

• Why It’s Great: Can be planted in late spring for a summer harvest.
• How to Grow: Prefers a sunny spot with fertile soil.

21. Lettuce ‘Little Gem’ (Lactuca sativa ‘Little Gem’)

• Why It’s Great: A compact, crunchy lettuce perfect for small gardens.
• How to Grow: Best in partial shade with regular watering.

22. Radicchio (Cichorium intybus)

• Why It’s Great: Adds a bitter, spicy flavour to salads.
• How to Grow: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil.

23. Mustard Greens (Brassica juncea)

• Why It’s Great: A spicy, nutritious leafy vegetable.
• How to Grow: Sow in early spring for multiple harvests.

24. Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis)

• Why It’s Great: A cool-season vegetable that thrives in spring.
• How to Grow: Needs nutrient-rich soil and plenty of space.

25. Runner Beans (Phaseolus coccineus)

• Why It’s Great: Vigorous climbers that produce high yields.
• How to Grow: Sow indoors and transplant after the last frost.

By planting these spring vegetables, you’ll enjoy a fresh, homegrown harvest from early spring through to summer. Happy growing! 🥕🥬🌱