Getting a good start to a spring garden

As winter begins to fade and spring gardening comes back into focus, many gardeners across Yavapai County find themselves paging through seed catalogs and imagining what this year’s garden might look like. While those glossy photos are inspiring, a successful garden starts with two practical considerations: choosing crops that perform well in our climate, and timing seed starting so plants are ready when outdoor conditions allow.

Seed catalogs often showcase varieties from all over the country, and while many can grow here, not all are a good match for our region. Yavapai County’s wide range of elevations, temperature swings, and frost risk means that crop selection matters just as much as enthusiasm. Rather than asking “What looks good?” a better starting question is “What grows well here?”

That answer depends largely on where in the county you’re gardening. In the cooler, higher elevations such as Prescott and Chino Valley, short-season crops like lettuce, spinach, carrots, and beets perform reliably in spring. In the warmer eastern areas like Camp Verde and Cottonwood, growers can often start earlier and experiment with a broader range of vegetables. Cooperative Extension’s Yavapai County Vegetable Planting and Harvest Times (Bulletin #30) provides recommended planting windows by elevation to help take the guesswork out of timing. Choosing varieties with shorter days to maturity also improves success, especially when navigating the narrow window between late-spring frosts and hot summer temperatures.

Beyond vegetables, incorporating flowers into the garden adds more than just color. Many flowers attract pollinators, support biodiversity, and can even act as "trap crops" that draw pests away from your vegetables. A few well-placed flowers, like Marigolds and Nasturtiums, can make your garden more productive and more enjoyable.

Once you’ve chosen what to grow, the next step is deciding how and when to start seeds. Some vegetables benefit from a head start indoors, while others prefer to be sown directly into garden soil. Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant typically need an early indoor start to produce fruit before the heat sets in. Leafy greens, peas, beans, and most root crops are best sown directly in the garden because they either dislike transplanting or grow quickly on their own. As a general rule, crops grown for their roots are direct-seeded, while those grown for fruit often need a head start indoors.

Germination success depends on just a few basics: moisture, warmth, and air. Seeds should stay evenly moist but not soggy. Waterlogged soil limits oxygen and can cause seeds to rot. Most vegetable seeds sprout best at 65-75 degrees, making indoor seed starting especially useful early in the season.

Timing is key. Start seeds indoors too early, and you risk getting tall, leggy plants before the garden is ready. Too late, and the plants won’t have time to grow before the summer heat arrives. Most seed packets list how many weeks a plant needs indoors before transplanting. Use that information to count backward from your area’s average last frost date. In cooler parts of the county, that’s often in early to mid-May, though microclimates can vary significantly.

When evaluating transplants, look for sturdy plants with a healthy green color and several sets of true leaves (the ones that appear after the initial seed leaves). Avoid plants that are root-bound or yellowing. Before planting outdoors, take a week to “harden off” your seedlings by gradually acclimating them to outdoor conditions, such as wind and direct sunlight. This reduces transplant shock and improves survival.

Lastly, remember that frost dates are guidelines, not guarantees. Even in late spring, a cold snap can damage tender seedlings. Having row cover or frost cloth on hand offers a simple way to protect plants if the weather turns.

Gardening success comes from matching plants to place and timing them thoughtfully. Each season offers lessons, and your own experience will become one of your best teachers. Keep notes on what worked, what didn’t, and what you might try differently next year. With careful planning, a little observation, and support from resources like Cooperative Extension, your spring garden can get off to a great start.

Michael Pierce is an Assistant in Extension, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension – Yavapai County