Posted on February 25, 2025 by Van Becelaere Greenhouse

As winter’s chill wanes and the first hints of spring appear, gardeners in Pittsburg, Kansas, and the surrounding areas are eager to get their hands dirty. Late February is ideal for planning and planting cool-season annuals, which bring vibrant colors and fresh life to garden beds. At Van Becelaere Greenhouse, we’re excited to help you kickstart your spring garden with a selection of frost-tolerant flowers and vegetables.

Why Plant Cool Season Annuals Now?

Cool-season annuals thrive in the mild temperatures of early spring and can withstand light frosts. You’ll enjoy earlier blooms and a longer growing season by planting these hardy varieties in late February. These plants establish strong root systems in cooler soil, setting the stage for robust growth as temperatures rise.

Top Cool Season Annuals for Your Garden

Cool-season annuals offer a diverse range of vibrant flowers, nutritious vegetables, and herbs that thrive in early spring conditions. Whether you’re looking to add color with pansies and snapdragons or enhance your meals with fresh greens and herbs, there’s something for every gardener.

Flowers for an Early Season

Flowers highlight the incredible season, offering vibrant colors and fragrances that brighten any garden or container. From the delicate petals of pansies and violas to the tall spikes of snapdragons, these flowers add beauty and charm to your early spring landscape.

• Pansies and Violas: These cheerful blooms are perfect for adding splashes of color to your garden or containers. They come in various hues and can withstand temperatures as low as 25°F (-4°C).
• Snapdragons: With their tall spikes of colorful flowers, snapdragons make excellent cut flowers and add vertical interest to beds. They prefer cooler temperatures and can tolerate light frosts.
• Calendula: Also known as pot marigold, these bright orange and yellow flowers are beautiful and edible. They’re frost-tolerant and will bloom continuously until the summer heat sets in.
• Sweet Alyssum: These low-growing, fragrant flowers are perfect for borders and hanging baskets. They can withstand light frosts and will continue blooming into early summer.

Vegetables and Herbs

Vegetables and herbs are staples of cool-season gardening. They provide fresh flavors and nutrients to early spring meals. From crisp lettuce and spinach to fragrant herbs like cilantro and parsley, these favorites thrive in the mild temperatures of late winter and early spring.

• Lettuce and Spinach: These leafy greens multiply in cool weather and can be harvested multiple times. Direct sow seeds as soon as the soil can be worked.
• Peas: Sugar snap peas and garden peas thrive in cool weather. Plant them in late February for an early summer harvest.
• Kale and Swiss Chard: These nutrient-packed greens are incredibly frost-tolerant and will provide harvests well into spring.
• Cilantro and Parsley: These herbs prefer cooler temperatures and can be direct-sown in late February.

Tips for Successful Planting

To ensure a thriving cool-season garden, following a few key tips that address soil preparation, temperature monitoring, and protection from extreme weather conditions is essential. By carefully preparing your soil, hardening off seedlings, and providing consistent care, you can maximize the success of your cool season annuals and enjoy a vibrant, healthy garden.

• Prepare your soil: Remove any winter debris and amend the soil with compost to ensure good drainage and nutrient availability.
• Check soil temperature: Most cool season annuals prefer soil temperatures to hover above 40°F (4°C). Use a soil thermometer to ensure conditions are right for planting.
• Harden off seedlings: If starting with greenhouse-grown plants, gradually acclimate them to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days before planting.
• Protect from extreme cold: While cool-season annuals are frost-tolerant, they may need protection during hard freezes. Keep rows covered with frost covers.
• Water consistently: Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Cool-season annuals typically require less water than summer-blooming plants.

Planning Your Garden Layout

Consider plant heights, colors, and bloom times when designing your cool-season annual garden. For example, you can create interest by mixing tall snapdragons with low-growing alyssum or colorful pansies with silvery dusty miller. Remember to leave space for warm-season plants that will be added later in spring.

At Van Becelaere Greenhouse, we offer a wide selection of cool-season annuals perfect for late February planting. Our knowledgeable staff can help you choose the best varieties for your garden and provide expert advice on care and maintenance. With over 25,000 square feet of greenhouse space, we have everything you need to create a stunning spring garden.

Plant cool-season annuals to enjoy a colorful, thriving garden, weeks before your neighbors. These hardy plants will provide beauty and interest during the transition from winter to spring, setting the stage for a spectacular gardening season ahead. Visit us today to explore our selection and get started on an early spring garden!