A Head Start

For the majority of spring-sown plants, there’s little to be gained by sowing too early. Given the mollycoddling, heat and light a precocious seedling demands, being patient and waiting until later on in spring when conditions are better suited, usually brings better results: far less fuss and sturdier, healthier seedlings that will often overtake those that were sown earlier anyway.

That said, there are a few plants that benefit from being sown earlier in the year. These early risers need a longer season to give their best, so if you’re impatient for winter to end and itching to get sowing, focus on those