Planting Your Spring Garden

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Selecting Your Garden Crops - What to Plant in Spring

Click on the February Planting Calendar below to find out what crops to plant in your region this month.

Explore the March and April planting calendars if you are planting in these upcoming months.

Note: In April, as the season warms up, the selection begins to narrow.

^{Beans are a spring crop!}

Beans are a popular plant in Florida spring gardens, and there are many wonderful varieties to try - let's learn some "Bean Basics" below, and enjoy planting them in your garden this season!

Beans thrive in Florida and are easy to grow, even in poor soil.

Bean seeds should be planted directly into the garden, rather than transplanting seedlings.

For planting activities with younger children, beans are a great option, due to their large seed size.

Bush Beans vs. Pole Beans

Bush beans grow from compact, bush-like plants, capable of standing unsupported.

Bush beans often produce a concentrated harvest, with a large portion of the crop ready for picking within a few weeks.

Pole beans climb with support such as a trellising system or pole.

Pole beans generally provide continuous harvest over a couple months. Regular harvesting encourages bean vines to continue producing new pods as they grow.

Snap beans vs. Shelling beans

Snap beans, also known as green beans, or string beans, refer to bean varieties with edible pods and seeds.

Shelling beans refer to varieties which must be removed from the pod or shell prior to eating, requiring a bit more preparation.

Keeping Your Garden Growing - Maintenance Practices

Check out these no-pesticide gardening maintenance reminders to keep your plants healthy so you can harvest them

Spring Maintenance Tip – Scout for Insects

As the weather warms in late spring, insect populations increase. Scout regularly to identify the insect varieties appearing in your garden, and remove 'pests' before their populations grow out of hand.

See Curricula Connections for suggestions to engage students.

Gardens are versatile learning resources, offering opportunities for growth in math, science, language arts, social skills, mental health, nutrition, physical activity, and more! Get creative by integrating the garden into your classroom lessons

Below are some garden-themed nutrition education curricula taught by FNP nutrition educators.

Grow It, Try It, Like It (Pre-K) - Free from the USDA

Gardening for Nutrition (K–12th) - Free from Florida Agriculture in the Classroom.

Learn, Grow, Eat & Go! (3rd–5th) - Junior Master Gardener Curricula

Contact FNP in your area to learn about our FREE opportunities for scheduling nutrition education lessons in your school.

Scout with Students!

Explore the fascinating world of garden insects with your students. Emphasize the importance of preserving 'good bugs' like predators, decomposers, and pollinators while understanding the role of 'benign bugs' in the ecosystem. Identify and learn about 'bad bugs' that may harm your garden crops.

For a fun classroom activity, you can develop a scavenger hunt to help your students learn to identify some of the insects you find in the garden.

Click the pages below to print and start the adventure!

Beneficial Insects Predators & Decomposers

Beneficial Insects Pollinators

Beneficial Insects

Pollinators

What to do when you find pests

Larger insect pests can be removed by hand, and dropped into a bucket of soapy water.

Remove infested plant leaves and dispose of them away from the garden site.

Taste Tests

Organize impactful 'taste tests' incorporating harvested garden produce to cultivate students' love for these healthy foods. Celebrate a featured garden crop with lessons, art projects, videos, or stories

Tip: If direct harvest isn't feasible, consider purchasing from a store or farmer.

Tip: Teach 'good tasting' skills, focusing on sensory experiences and positive language.

Tip: Celebrate themes like holidays or National Nutrition Month for a unique garden experience

What to do with your harvest?

Spring is a great time to harvest and eat garden greens!

There are countless ways to enjoy leafy greens, like blending them into a pesto, combining them into a salad with a tasty dressing, adding them to a wrap.

Do you have cole crops ready for harvesting? Check out these tasty school and classroom friendly recipe ideas for enjoying cole crops (such as broccoli, cabbage, kale) ready for harvesting in your garden.

Purple Power Bean Wrap

Veggie Wrap

Scrambled Egg Muffins

Have you considered engaging classrooms, teachers, parents, community groups, and members in your school community with your garden?

There are many roles and methods to invite support for your garden program. Click on the Florida School Garden Planner pages below for some tips

Engage students in maintenance tasks & observation activities

Harvest and practice garden food safety, and enjoy preserving your bounty with students

Plan a tasting activity to celebrate your garden

To learn more, join us for a School Garden Leadership Training workshop near you!

For tips on seasonal garden activities, connecting your garden to the classroom, engaging your school community, and spotlights showcasing your own beautiful gardens around the state

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This material was funded by the USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – SNAP. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. SNAP funding is provided through the Florida Department of Children and Families.