Planting cool season vegetables is a great way to start the gardening season. Prepare your soil as soon as the frost goes out and the soil can be worked. That is when a handful of firm soil crumbles when gently pressed. Add any necessary nutrients at this time. Phosphorus is especially important, as cool soils tend to limit its availability to early-planted vegetables.

Vegetables to plant in mid to late April for Central and Southern Minnesota include direct seeded onions and chives. Onion sets also tolerate light frosts. Southern Minnesota gardeners can usually direct seed broccoli and cabbage the first week in May. You may want to try direct seeding half the seeds and starting the other half indoors to transplant outside four weeks later. Mid-May works better in Northern Minnesota.

Don't forget spinach, lettuce, rocquette, peas and radishes. They also tolerate cool germination temperatures. In Northern zone 4, potatoes can be planted after mid-April or early May. They may not start to grow until temperatures are warmer. Sprouted potatoes are also not very tolerant of late hard frosts. You may need to cover them if frost threatens once they begin growing. In Minnesota, average frost-free date ranges from May 15th to June 5th. It is May 21st in the Twin Cities.

Remember that weather controls the seasons, not the calendar. Planting dates can vary as much as two to three weeks from year to year. For more information visit Yard & Garden.

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