Spring and early summer mark the start of gardening season. In southern Wisconsin, a wide range of vegetables and flowers can be grown with relative ease, especially when choosing varieties suited to this region’s climate and soil conditions.

According to guidance from the University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension, selecting hardy plants that tolerate cool springs and warm summers makes gardening more successful for all levels of gardeners in Green County.

Vegetables that germinate quickly and mature within weeks consistently perform well in Wisconsin home gardens. “I would say some of the easiest vegetables to start would be radishes, peas, lettuces, beans, cucumbers and tomatoes,” suggests Susan Konopacki, member of the Green County Master Gardener’s Association. “I believe radishes are one of the first and fastest crops to be harvested.”

Radish seeds often sprout within a few days, and the vegetables can be ready to harvest in as little as three to four weeks. In fact, their fast growth allows gardeners to plant multiple rounds during the season.