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Farm Flavor Guide to Spring

On March 28, 2023April 4, 2023 by Kayla Walden to Food For Thought, Lifestyle

The days are full of sunshine, blooming flowers and chirping birds, and you’re probably feeling an itch to throw open the windows. Spring is here, and it’s a wonderful time to get outdoors and enjoy all that the season has to offer. From local farm visits to gardening projects to delicious meals starring fresh, seasonal ingredients, our Farm Flavor spring bucket list below is full of fun ideas to help you make the most of the season.

Baskets of fresh red potatoes, green peppers, green beans and orange carrots at a farmers market — *Photo credit: iStock/KenWiedemann*

1. Shop at a Farmers Market

Late spring signals the return of farmers markets in many places around the country. Make a beeline to your local market for the best one-stop destination to stock up on all kinds of fresh, seasonal produce, locally sourced meat and dairy, and fresh-cut flowers.

What’s in season in springtime?

Strawberries
Asparagus
Apricots
Peas
Rhubarb
Garlic
Broccoli
Spinach

Find more seasonal produce options for springtime cooking here.

*Spring Nicoise Salad; Photo credit: Tara Rochford*

2. Cook With Seasonal Produce

Why not challenge yourself to cook seasonally this season? Spring is a wonderful time to incorporate more fresh produce into your meal plans, especially if you have access to versatile ingredients like berries, garlic and greens. Making a goal to work with one to three seasonal ingredients each week is a great way to indulge in local food at peak freshness without feeling overwhelmed.

Check out these articles for some spring menu-planning inspiration:

seedlings in spring garden — *Photo credit: iStock/Chris Price*

3. Plant a Vegetable Garden

You don’t have to wait until the heat of summer to plant a garden, especially if you want to start one from seed. Invest in a few seed-starting trays, a quality seed-starting soil and a few seed packets from your local nursery. You might be surprised to discover how easy and satisfying it is to grow your own produce – and eat it too!

For spring gardening tips and ideas, check out these articles:

strawberry picking; spring bucket list — *Photo credit: Nathan Lambrecht*

4. Go Strawberry Picking at a Local Farm

You might associate berry picking with summer and fall, but there are some varieties that can be plucked from the plant in the springtime, too. Do a quick online search for local strawberry farms in your area. If you can find one within driving distance, load up the family and get picking.

Want to grow your own instead? Check out our guide to growing and harvesting strawberries here.

Whether you’re picking them at a farm or from your own backyard, these strawberry recipes will help you make the most of your harvest:

Find dozens more delicious strawberry recipes here.

spring flowers — *Photo credit: iStock/Placebo365*

5. Try Your Hand at Growing Flowers

Growing your own food is admittedly one of the most satisfying gardening experiences, especially when the time comes to put it on your plate. But have you ever thought about growing flowers? It’s a lot of fun to pick up a fresh bouquet from the farmers market, but growing your own takes that enjoyment to another level. Start small with a few dwarf sunflowers or carnations in a pot or container – or go big and invest in raised beds to grow an assortment of beautiful blooms.

flowers; spring bucket list — *Photo credit: iStock/zencreation*

6. Visit a Farm in Your Community

You can find agritourism opportunities all year round in most places, but spring brings an extra-special opportunity to see new life on the farm. Do a quick search in your area and you’ll likely come away with a generous list of places to visit ranging from strawberry farms to U-pick flower fields and more.

See more: 10 U.S. Flower Festivals to Visit This Spring

7. Decorate With Fresh Flowers and Greenery

From the arrival of the iconic daffodil to the first buds on cherry blossom trees, you can forage for all manner of outdoor flowers and greenery in springtime. Of course, you don’t want to collect too much. But searching for, pruning and arranging fresh flowers, buds or even tree limbs can be a fun way to spend a spring evening or two.

*Robin Egg Speckled Cupcakes; Photo credit: Jessi Heggan*

8. Host a Spring-Themed Bake Swap

Something about springtime just makes you want to bake. Maybe it has something to do with all those plump, ripe berries begging to be eaten. If you feel the urge to get baking but don’t want to exclusively eat cake for every meal, host a spring-themed bake swap. Everyone makes a spring bake, brings it to one person’s home and shares with the rest of the group. Everyone gets to take home something sweet and enjoy each other’s company in the process. Try one of our favorite seasonal baking recipes to get you started:

bird feeding — *Photo credit: iStock/BirdImages*

9. Hang a Bird Feeder

Do you love watching the birds in your backyard in the spring? Take a day to either purchase and install a bird feeder from the store or make one of your own to entice more birds into your yard. You can even try adding a birdhouse or two in hopes of spotting a few baby birds. Don’t forget to prepare your yard for hummingbird season too with our DIY guide to making your own hummingbird feeder.