It's Time to Plant Cool Season Vegetables

Cooler Temperatures are on the Way! It's Time to Plant Cool Season Vegetables!

Cooler temperatures are right around the corner, and it will soon be time to plant cool season vegetables!

Planting vegetables at the right time of the year is important to their vitality and their yield. Therefore, knowing which vegetables to plant and when to plant them is in part dependent upon your Sunset Zone and the temperature.

Cool Season Crops Defined

Cool season crops are those that grow best and produce the best quality when the average temperatures are 55 F to 75 F and are usually tolerant of slight frosts. Plants in this group include root crops such as: beets, carrots, parsnip, radish and turnips; stems such as asparagus and white potato; leafy crops such as cabbage, celery, lettuce, onion, and spinach and plants whose immature flower parts we eat, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and globe artichokes.

Vegetable Requirements

Cool season crops are no different in their requirements than warm season crops. Advance planning will help you to determine if you have the adequate space, light (6 hours each day), and using the right amount of water at the right time will help to ensure the success of your plants. Plant according to the seed package directions or the label directions if the plant is a transplant. If you are planting from seed, keep the soil evenly most during germination and the first few weeks of establishment.

Determine the quality of your soil. By squeezing soil in the palm of your hand, the “feel” test can help you to determine the soil's physical properties and behavior. If a cast will form when moist soil is squeezed in the hand and it cannot be handled without breaking, this is an indicator of loamy sand. Loam soil will form a short ribbon with moist soil. The ribbon will split readily and will break away when less than 1 inch long. A moist cast of loam soil will bear some handling. Clay loam can be formed easily with moist soil. This is moderately strong, but will break away when it is 1 to 2 inches long. Clay is a fine textured soil. A strong ribbon can be formed with moist soil. The ribbon will be more than 2 inches long. A moist cast will bear considerable handling.

All plants must have the adequate nutrients to sustain their growth and vitality. Use a high quality mulch to help retain water and deter weeds.

Here are some examples of cool season vegetable planting dates.

What does your family like to eat? You can grow it! Vegetable gardening provides fresh produce, improves physical health, and can even enhance emotional well-being!