You don't need to wait until your last frost date to begin planting these crops. While many people eagerly anticipate warmer weather, there's a variety of herbs and vegetables that can flourish in your garden even before temperatures start to climb.

Contrary to common belief that nothing can grow in potential frost conditions, there are numerous hearty plants that thrive in the cool early spring climate, even enduring freezing nighttime temperatures. These plants actually prefer cooler weather and may struggle in warmer conditions, a fact that may have contributed to difficulties in growing them previously. Timing plays a crucial role, with early planting allowing these crops to mature before the weather becomes too warm.

Here are some examples of plants that flourish in early spring:

1. Arugula
2. Beets
3. Bunching onions
4. Carrots
5. Chives
6. Cilantro
7. Dill
8. Kale
9. Lettuce
10. Mizuna
11. Napa cabbage
12. Parsley
13. Radishes
14. Snow peas
15. Spinach
16. Sugar snap peas
17. Swiss chard