Spring Planting in Zone 5b: What’s Growing in the Feral Flavors Garden (April)

Spring Planting in Zone 5b: What’s Growing in the Feral Flavors Garden 🌱

Spring is here, and that means it's finally time to dig in and get planting! If you're growing in Zone 5b like we are, now’s the perfect time to start cool-weather crops and check in on your perennials.

At Feral Flavors, we grow in raised beds and use straw mulch to help regulate moisture, discourage weeds, and give our plants a cozy start to the season.

What We're Planting Right Now

Our early spring lineup is all about hardy, fast-growing favorites that thrive in cool soil:

• Radishes – quick to mature and great for crunch and spice. Good for quick pickles and salads.

• Peas – sweet, tender, and perfect for snacking right off the vine. I use succession planting methods with my peas to enjoy many harvests, all summer long. 

• Parsnips – slow to start but worth the wait for fall harvest.

• Swiss Chard – colorful, nutritious, and very cold-tolerant.

• Spinach – a spring staple for fresh salads and sautéed greens.

Perennial Produce on the Rise

One of the best parts of spring is seeing perennials come back stronger each year. Here's what's already sprouting in our beds:

• Strawberries – fresh green growth means sweet berries are on the way! My favorite varieties of strawberries to grow include 'Charlotte' an everbearing variety, and 'Fort Laramie' 

• Rhubarb – vibrant stalks are just starting to peek up. Check out my post about "forcing rhubarb" to get that early, sweet harvest. 

• Blueberries & Nectarines – buds are forming and we’re dreaming of summer fruit. I grow both Nectarine and Elberta Peach. Both bloom bright pink-dark pink. 

• Chives, Onions, and Garlic – early green shoots are already adding life to the garden. Chive blooms early in the season and is a good first food source for bees and other pollinators. Chive blossoms are also delicious infused into vinegar. 

• Mint – it’s vigorous as always, and perfect for everything from tea to pickling. Just DO NOT plant it in the ground or directly into your garden bed. Unless you want a huge mint patch. Mint is notoriously aggressive and will take over and spread rapidly. All varieties are best kept in pots or places you dont mind it spreading. Please check your zone as it is invasive in some areas. 

• 

Tips for Fellow Gardeners in Zone 5b

• Watch your soil – Make sure it’s thawed and draining well before planting.

• Stick to cool-season crops – Save your tomatoes and peppers for warmer weeks.

• Use mulch – Straw helps regulate temps and keeps weeds in check.

• Keep an eye on frost dates – Nights can still dip low, so cover delicate plants if needed. I use buckets and frost protection cloth. 

Looking Ahead

As the weather continues to warm, we’ll be planting summer crops, harvesting early greens, and prepping for the height of growing season. We’ll also be sharing recipes and tips for using your garden bounty, so stay tuned!

Thanks for following along with our spring garden journey. If you’re planting this month too, we’d love to hear what’s going into your beds!

Happy planting,
– The Feral Flavors Team

© 2025 Feral Flavors LLC. All rights reserved.