Garden Vegetables that Harvest in the Spring

One of my memories from my childhood is waking up at my Grandma's home, and seeing her in the garden. She was not a farmer to earn a living, but rather I guess it was part of her heritage to grow her own food. I really have no idea.  She died when I was 13. I never asked her, "Why do you grow your own food?" My Dad is gone now, too. I never asked him either why his parents had this garden. It is just what they did. I live less than two miles from North Carolina's State Farmer's Market, and I also belong to Papa Spud's, where I can get produce from the farms straight to my door. My family is lucky, I think.

My grandmother grew corn, turnips, collards, strawberries, butter beans, new potatoes, and green beans. They also had grapes.  I really don't know all that she grew, but I certainly know that every day, she would cook fresh vegetables for a lunch buffet. She did it daily. She kept me while my Mom worked when I was little and I developed a palate for fresh vegetables at a very early age. 

Source:  Who Remembers This? on Facebook 

The photo of a woman snapping green beans was circulating on Facebook at one time, and it immediately took me back to summers when I would visit my Grandma. I remember shelling peas and snapping green beans as a child.

I look forward to eating more vegetables in the spring and in North Carolina, this is when produce is abundant at the Farmer's Market.

This is the garden harvest for spring that will be available at Farmer's markets. Of course, grocery stores have these items off-season, but this is when you will see it come in fresh from the farms. 

Green Onions: Late March

Asparagus: Early April 

Strawberries: Early/mid-April

Arugula: Late April 

Lettuces: Late April 

Radishes: Late April 

Bok Choy: Early May

Salad Mix: Early May

Blueberries: Mid May

Chard, Rainbow: Mid May

Salad Turnips: Mid May

Snap Peas: Mid May

New Potatoes: Mid May

Broccoli: Late May

Squash, Yellow: Late May

Squash, Zucchini: Late May 

When I started the #OutaboutNC community in 2015, one of my biggest supporters has been chef Clark Barlowe of Heirloom Restaurant in Charlotte, N.C.  His dream was to open a restaurant that was entirely locally sourced. Every item from the alcohol served to dessert come from North Carolina. His restaurant has been named one of the top 100 foodie restaurants on Open Table. 

I've been in Clark's company several times now but have not made it to Charlotte yet. It's on my list. for a true North Carolina culinary experience.  

Happy Spring!

This post was originally published in Spring of 2016 and updated in 2019.  Recipes you may like for Spring.

Three Recipes Using Kale
Spinach and Grape Quinoa Salad 
Bok Choy on the Side 
Most Delicious Asparagus Ever  and other recipes.

Disclosure: *Papa Spud's is a referral link given to local customers.

The HinesSightBlog is sponsored by PSChevy. in Fayetteville. Test drive the 2020 Silverado HD today.  Thanks, PSChevy for keeping me at my desk writing and #OutaboutNC.