Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening

Five Spring Crops to Plant Earlier Than You Think - Ep. 286

Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening

Show Notes

If you’ve ever planted a big patch of arugula at the same time you planted the rest of the spring garden, only to watch it shoot up a flower stalk a few weeks later, you’ve already met this week’s topic: heat-sensitive crops.Heat-sensitive doesn’t always mean a plant can’t survive warm weather. It usually means warm temperatures and lengthening days change the plant’s priorities. Instead of producing the leaves, heads, or tubers we want to harvest, the plant pivots toward flowering and seed production or it keeps growing, but quality drops.So, today on Just Grow Something we’re talking about the five crops you should plant earlier than you think to avoid this change. And I’m also including an herb that can bolt as fast as you blink. Let’s dig in.References and Resources:Ep. 133 - Growing Onions: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/ep-133-growing-onionsSoil Temperature Maps: https://www.greencastonline.com/tools/soil-temperaturePlan Like a Pro Garden Planning Course: https://justgrowsomething.thinkific.com/courses/plan-like-a-proJust Grow Something: https://justgrowsomething.comJust Grow Something Merch and Downloads: https://justgrowsomething.com/shopJust Grow Something Gardening Friends Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18YgHveF5P/ Check out how you can become a patron on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JustGrowSomethingBonus content for supporters of the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/justgrowsomethingAmazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justgrowsomething

More from Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening

Oct 20, 2026

Peppers, rosemary, and geraniums are all perennials somewhere in the world, and basil will keep going for a while on a windowsill if you start it right. But whether a plant makes it to spring gets decided mostly before it ever comes through the door.

Oct 13, 2026

Whether saved seed grows into the plant you loved is decided at pollination and protected or lost in storage. This episode covers hybrids versus open-pollinated and heirloom varieties, the easiest crops for beginners, why plants only cross within a species (and why squash species matter), how often peppers cross, isolation methods (time, containment, distance), population size for corn, and the three levels of seed saving.

Oct 6, 2026

In this episode, we're opening up the rest of the preserving toolbox: freezing, drying, fermenting, refrigerator pickles, and good old-fashioned cold storage.

Sep 29, 2026

In this episode, we're taking on four home canning myths that keep circulating in gardening groups, on food blogs, and in family recipe boxes: oven canning, open-kettle canning (and its cousin, flipping jars upside down), packing tomatoes and garlic in oil, and the idea that a salsa recipe can be tweaked however you like as long as it tastes right.

Sep 22, 2026

Frost is on the way, and the vines are still loaded with green tomatoes. In this episode, we sort out which green tomatoes will finish ripening on your counter (the mature greens and the blushers) and which ones belong in the skillet, the freezer, or a tested relish recipe.

See all episodes →