Cool-Season Crops

Cool-season veggies grow best at temperatures averaging 15° cooler than those needed by warm season types.

Many have edible leaves or roots (lettuce, spinach, carrots, and radishes); others (artichokes, broccoli, cauliflower) are grown for their immature flowers. A few (peas, broad beans) produce edible seeds.

Most can endure short periods of frost.

For best results, you need to grow them to maturity in cool weather; otherwise, they can turn bitter tasting, or bolt to seed rather than producing edible parts. (Except in coldest climates, plant them in very early spring so the crop will mature before summer heat settles in, or in late summer for a crop in fall in winter.

In warm regions, plant cool season crops from late summer to early fall for harvest in late fall, winter, or early spring.

In coldest regions where cool summers are the norm (Alaska, for example), plant cool season crops in May or June for summer harvest.

• Arugula (rocket)
• Beets
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Collards
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Celery (mild winter climates)
• Chard
• Fennel
• Kale
• Kohlrabi
• Lettuce
• Mizuna
• Mustard greens
• Onions (bulbing)
• Onions (bunching–standard onions harvested before they form bulbs).
• Pak choi (Bok choy)
• Peas
• Potatoes
• Radishes
• Spinach
• Coriander (cilantro)

 More: Warm-season-crops