Great Outdoor Plants For Early Spring

As the weather begins to warm up here in Middle Tennessee, we can’t help but start to think about all the plants, shrubs, and flowers that can help transform a house into a home. If you’re ready to get started on your gardening early this year, too, here are a few great outdoor plants for early spring to try!

Annual flowers

The best flowers to plant in early spring are those that can handle a cool snap. The last expected frost dates for the Nashville area is May 1-10 which means that any flower beds that are planted before that time should be hearty enough to survive a cool snap. Here are a few great outdoor flowers for early spring. 

Pansy

Pansies come in a wide range of colors from blue and purple to orange and red. These annual flowers enjoy full sun and moist, well-draining soil and are known to be very easy to grow and maintain. 

Snapdragon

Snapdragons have a unique shape and come in vibrant hues of orange, pink, white, red, and yellow. These flowers are known to attract butterflies and hummingbirds while being deer and rabbit resistant, making them perfect for those who struggle to protect their gardens from wildlife. 

Dianthus

Dianthus is a sun-loving little plant that offers colorful and fragrant flowers that attract butterflies. The leaves of this plant are a blue-green shade offering even more color when this plant is added to beds or planters. 

Viola

Violas, a cousin of the pansy, is another cool-resistant flower that can be added to beds and planters in early spring to add color and interest. Violas can be found in more than six color variations and are a great way to add a splash of color to full or partial sun locations. 

Vegetable seeds

If you’ve ever wanted to grow your own vegetable garden, now is the time to act! According to the Almanac, vegetable seeds like Arugula, Broccoli, Parsnips, Peas, and Spinach are all safe to start planting by the beginning of March in the Middle Tennesee area. Gardeners should wait until at least mid-April, if not early May, before planting crops like watermelon, green beans, and corn to avoid crop-killing frost.

When it comes to outdoor planting for early spring, it’s never too soon to start thinking about your garden. While it’s important to wait until there is no risk of frost to plant delicate plants in the ground, you may be able to start container plants earlier provided you cover or bring them in if there is a frost warning. Ready to find a home to call your own and start your garden? Check out the quality homes available throughout Middle Tennessee from Willow Branch Homes.