If you loved the “seedling to snack” idea, this is the same concept, just for the classic spring planting crew: roots, bulbs, and tubers.
These crops are some of the most rewarding things you can grow. A little prep now = years of harvest (rhubarb/asparagus) or big summer payoff (onions/garlic/potatoes).
Below is the simple, practical guide: where to plant, when to plant, how to plant, and what they like nearby.
Rhubarb Roots
A true “plant once, harvest for years” perennial.
Where: Full sun to part sun (6+ hrs is ideal)
Soil: Rich, well-drained soil with lots of organic matter
When to plant: Early spring as soon as the ground is workable (or fall)
How to plant
- Choose a permanent spot (rhubarb can live there for years)
- Dig a wide hole and mix in compost or aged manure
- Plant crowns so the buds sit about 1–2 inches below the soil surface
- Water in well and mulch 2–3" (keep mulch off the crown)
Tools / add-ons
- Compost or manure, mulch, shovel
- Optional: a balanced spring fertilizer once established
Companion planting
- Great near: strawberries, chives, garlic
- Avoid planting too close to other big, sprawling perennials, give it space
Pro tip: Don’t harvest heavily the first year, let it build strength.
Asparagus Roots
The ultimate long-game crop. Once established, it’s a spring harvest machine.
Where: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained, loosened soil (asparagus hates wet feet)
When to plant: Early spring as soon as the soil is workable
How to plant (trench method)
- Dig a trench about 6–8" deep
- Make a small ridge down the center and lay roots over it like a spider
- Cover with 2–3" of soil at first, then gradually fill the trench as shoots grow
- Water in well
Tools / add-ons
- Compost for the trench, mulch, shovel
- Optional: balanced fertilizer as growth starts
Companion planting
- Great near: tomatoes, parsley, basil
- Avoid planting near onions and garlic (they can compete and reduce vigor)
Pro tip: Expect patience, light harvest after 2–3 years, then it rewards you for decades.
Onions (Sets or Seedlings)
One of the easiest spring wins, and they store well.
Where: Full sun
Soil: Loose, well-drained soil (stones and compaction = misshapen bulbs)
When to plant: Early spring as soon as soil can be worked
How to plant
- Plant onion sets or seedlings shallow, just deep enough to cover roots
- Space about 4–6" apart (more space = bigger onions)
- Keep evenly watered while bulbs form
- Mulch lightly to reduce weeds
Tools / add-ons
- Compost, light mulch
- Optional: a balanced fertilizer early, then ease off nitrogen later (too much nitrogen = lots of leaves, small bulbs)
Companion planting
- Great with: carrots, beets, lettuce, strawberries
- Helps deter some pests around carrots and leafy greens
Garlic (Cloves)
Garlic is usually a fall-plant crop, but you can still plant in spring for smaller bulbs (or for green garlic).
Where: Full sun
Soil: Rich, well-drained, loose soil
When to plant:
- Best: fall (for full-size bulbs)
- Spring planting: as early as possible for best results
How to plant
- Break the bulb into cloves (keep papery skin on)
- Plant cloves pointy side up
- Plant about 2" deep, spaced 6" apart
- Mulch well (garlic loves mulch)
Tools / add-ons
- Compost, mulch
- Optional: a nitrogen boost early in spring while leaves are growing
Companion planting
- Great near: roses, fruit trees, strawberries (often used as a “garden bodyguard”)
- Avoid near: beans and peas (they don’t always love garlic nearby)
Potatoes (Seed Potatoes) 🥔
Homegrown potatoes are unbeatable, and surprisingly easy.
Where: Full sun
Soil: Loose, well-drained soil; avoid heavy clay if possible
When to plant:
Plant when soil is workable and temperatures are warming, typically mid-spring in Zones 4–6.
How to plant
- If seed potatoes are large, cut into chunks with 1–2 eyes each and let them dry/cure for a day
- Plant about 4–6" deep
- Space 12" apart, with wider spacing for larger varieties
- As plants grow, hill soil up around stems to keep developing potatoes covered (prevents greening)
Tools / add-ons
- Compost, shovel/hoe for hilling
- Straw mulch can help with moisture and makes harvest easier
Companion planting
- Great near: beans, corn, cabbage family
- Avoid near: tomatoes and other nightshades (shared disease pressure)
Pro tip: Greening = light exposure. Hill early and consistently.
Quick “Add-ons that help everything”
- Compost: improves soil structure and steady nutrition
- Mulch: moisture control + fewer weeds (especially helpful for garlic and rhubarb)
- Watering plan: consistent moisture during establishment = better harvest later
Need help picking varieties or how much to buy?
Pop in and tell us your zone and garden space, we’ll help you choose the best roots, sets, and seed potatoes, plus the soil boosters and mulch that make planting easier and more successful.
