Spring has officially sprung, and for those who feel the need to exercise their green thumb, there are ways to do so soon.

Cold weather crops, including spinach, arugula and cress, are hardy enough that they can survive well if planted in April with some protection — such as a cold frame.

“The arugula and cress are both hardy. I even had some of the cress over the winter,” said Steve Marconi, Master Gardening coordinator for Elk County. “That is slightly unusual, but I had it right next to the building. The upline cress is a hardy plant and it doesn’t require all the water that regular cress does.”

Marconi also noted that spinach and peas can be planted as early as the first of April, as they can withstand cold temperatures at that time and germinate.

For those who are ready to start some plants indoors, there are options as well.

“If you have a good window with sunlight coming in, now that the sun is coming out a lot more, you should be able to start a few things,” Marconi said. Some of those include broccoli, kale, cabbage and kohlrabi.

Marconi explained that these plants can be planted outside as early as mid-April, provided they are given a little protection on the nights when it frosts. However, it is important to know the plants’ limits as well.

“They will withstand a light frost,” Marconi said. “But on those nights where it’s down to the mid-20s, they might need extra protection, such as a cover of sheets or boxes, to protect them at night.”

Marconi noted that temperatures are important to keep in mind in this area, as locals may see frost here any time until almost the end of May.

For anyone hesitant to put all of their plants out at once, Marconi says it makes sense to experiment and hold some plants back. He suggests keeping some on the porch for some protection or keep the rest inside and try a few of the hardier specimens outdoors to start.

Marconi, who has been gardening for over 40 years, is excited to get back to it.

“I am anxious to get out there and get some plants out that I can nurse,” Marconi said. “I hope that pretty soon things will break and we’ll have a good run of nice weather. We usually have that in early spring.”