Spring Planting Guide: What to Sow & Grow This 2025 Season
Spring is the perfect time to get your hands in the dirt and start planting! If you live in USDA Planting Zone 7, you enjoy a moderate climate with a last frost date around mid-March to early April and a long growing season. This means you can start planting cool-weather crops early and transition into warm-season crops by late spring.
Plant these as soon as the soil is workable—about 4-6 weeks before the last frost date.
Vegetables & Herbs to Direct Sow or Transplant:
✅ Leafy Greens: Spinach, kale, lettuce, Swiss chard
✅ Root Vegetables: Carrots, radishes, beets, turnips
✅ Brassicas: Broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower
✅ Herbs: Parsley, cilantro, dill, chives
Flowers to Plant:
✅ Cold-Tolerant Blooms: Pansies, violas, snapdragons, sweet peas, larkspur
🛠 Garden Tip: Cover young plants with row covers on chilly nights to protect against late frosts.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
🌷 Mid-Spring (April - May): Transitioning to Warm Crops
By mid to late April, the soil is warmer, making it the perfect time to start planting warm-weather vegetables and flowers.
Vegetables & Herbs to Direct Sow or Transplant:
✅ Fast-Growing Greens: Arugula, mustard greens
✅ Legumes: Peas (early April), bush beans (late April)
✅ Nightshades (Start Indoors or Transplant): Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants
✅ Other Warm-Loving Crops: Potatoes, onions, leeks
Flowers to Plant:
✅ Mid-Spring Favorites: Marigolds, petunias, zinnias, alyssum
🛠 Garden Tip: If you’re planting tomatoes and peppers, harden them off before transplanting by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days.
☀️ Late Spring (May - Early June): Summer Crops & Heat-Loving Plants
Now that the soil is fully warmed up (above 60°F), it’s time to plant summer favorites.
Vegetables & Herbs to Sow or Transplant:
✅ Heat-Lovers: Cucumbers, zucchini, squash, okra
✅ Melons & Gourds: Watermelon, cantaloupe, pumpkins
✅ Corn & Beans: Sweet corn, pole beans, lima beans
✅ Herbs: Basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary
Flowers to Plant:
✅ Summer Showstoppers: Sunflowers, cosmos, black-eyed Susans, dahlias
🛠 Garden Tip: Mulch around your plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds as the temperatures rise.
🌿 Bonus: Companion Planting Ideas for Success
Pairing the right plants together helps improve growth, repel pests, and boost yields. Try these combinations in your Zone 7 garden:
🌿 Tomatoes + Basil → Enhances flavor & repels pests
🥕 Carrots + Onions → Deters carrot flies
🥒 Cucumbers + Marigolds → Keeps away beetles
🌽 Corn + Beans + Squash ("Three Sisters") → Natural support & weed suppression
Spring in Zone 7 is full of possibilities, whether you're growing fresh veggies, beautiful flowers, or fragrant herbs. By starting early with cool-season crops and transitioning to warm-weather plants, you can enjoy a thriving garden all season long. The staff at Richfield Farms & Garden Center are happy to help you with any questions or guidance you may need, and carry all of the necessary items you may need to get your garden started!
