Veggies That Prefer Cool Weather

Many of the most common kinds have edible leaves or roots, like lettuce, carrots and onions.

Not all veggies prefer warmer weather. There are actually many cool-season crops that tend to thrive in the chillier temps of spring and fall.

Many of the most common kinds of cool weather vegetables have edible leaves or roots, like lettuce, carrots, and onions. Others produce edible seeds, like peas and certain types of beans. Still other cool weather thrivers are artichokes, broccoli and cauliflower. Most of these can even endure short periods of frost. With a cool-weather vegetable like kale, frost on the leaves can make them even sweeter.

These cool-weather plants grow well in the ground, in raised beds, or even in containers, which can make it easier for gardeners, especially if the early-spring ground is still a bit difficult to tend. In fact, plants like lettuce,carrots, and peas are excellent easy-to-grow vegetables for first-time growers or gardeners with limited space.

Cold Weather Vegetables to Grow

More specifically, horticulturists tend to break down cool weather vegetables into types, or categories. One such description is "hardy" or "semi-hardy" vegetables. Hardy vegetables can tolerate harder frosts and temperatures in the low 20s. Semi-hardy vegetables will tolerate light frosts and temperatures in the high 20s and low 30s.

Here's a partial list of plants within each category:

Hardy vegetables: Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Collards, English Peas, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Mustard Greens, Radishes, Spinach, Turnips

Semi-hardy vegetables: Beets, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chinese Cabbage, Endive, Irish Potatoes, Lettuce, Radicchio, Rutabaga, Swiss Chard

Planting in Early Spring and Fall

Yes, it can get cold in early spring—a little frost, a few snowflakes—but that doesn't have to lessen an early harvest. In fact, the cooler temperatures in the spring have fewer pests around to bother gardeners or damage plants. You can also plant cool-season crops in the fall, but be mindful that the early-season freezes are just around the corner.

Whether you plant early or late, it's important to keep an eye on the weather and protect your plants from any frost or temperatures below freezing. Knowing your hardiness zone can also help you determine best planting times for both early spring and fall. The best way to ensure your little ones survive a freeze is by covering them with a frost blanket. If you have individual plants scattered about, you’ll want to use cloches, which are singular glass or plastic dome-like covers to protect them.

Seed vs Starter Plant

What’s the difference between growing from seed and growing from a starter plant? Growing plants from seed involves starting with the basic seed and nurturing it through germination and early growth stages, which requires patience and attention to detail. That extra work can be rewarding, though. Starting from seed also gives you more control over your plant's growing conditions, and you'll probably save money vs. using starter plants.

On the other hand, growing from a starter plant involves beginning with a more mature plant, skipping the initial germination process, and often providing a quicker and more predictable outcome with less time and effort.

Most root vegetables, such as carrots and radishes, need to be grown from seed. To get a head-start on maturity with many other cool season plants, start with young, vigorous plants, like those available from Bonnie Plants. However you choose to plant, remember to review your seed packet or plant tag for planting instructions. Looking for more planting tips and suggestions? Check out this guide on How to Plant Almost Anything.

Start Seeds Indoors

The goal of seed starting indoors is to have your young plants ready to plant outside once the weather conditions are right. For a more in-depth look at seed starting, check out this guide. Here are some basic planting tips that’ll cultivate success:

Use shallow trays or pots with drainage. A great hack is making your containers out of yogurt cups or milk cartons by adding drainage holes.
Fill your containers with Miracle-Gro Organic™ Indoor Potting Mix, which is great for seed starting, and moisten the soil so it’s damp.
Sow your seeds following the directions on the seed packet for planting depth.
Cover your container with plastic wrap with a few holes poked through to help maintain humidity.
Place the containers in a sunny spot. If you lack a sunny room you’ll need to add supplemental lighting.
Keep an eye on it; once the seeds start to germinate, you can remove the plastic.
Once the seedlings are large enough, you’ll need to transition them to outdoor conditions (if the temperature drops below 45 °F, you’ll want to bring them back indoors).
Once they’re fully acclimated to the outdoor weather, you can plant them in your garden.

Grow from Seed Outdoors

Of course, you can start your seeds outdoors if you prefer to not worry about transplanting. Remember that you may need to cover beds and seedlings if another frost or freeze comes. Whether you're planting in-ground or in raised beds, use Miracle-Gro Organic™ Raised Bed & Garden Soil, which is enriched with compost and plant food to help create an environment where your plants can thrive.

These seeds are the easiest to grow in cool weather conditions:

Salad Greens: Salad greens includes lettuces like Leaf, Romaine, and Butterhead, Arugula, and Mustard Greens. You can plant in rows—most lettuce varieties need about 12 inches of space between rows if grown in-ground, but double check your seed packet—and cover with only ¼ inch of soil.
Spring Radishes: Also called Salad Radishes; if these vegetables are left in the soil too long, they can turn woody or spongy, so it’s best to harvest them as soon as they’re ready.
Beets: A single seed can produce multiple seedlings, so remove excess seedlings that have sprouted in close proximity. Ensure there are about 4 inches of space around each sprout for the roots to develop.
Peas: Sow your seeds 1 inch deep and 2 inches apart and add a support system like a trellis they can climb up.

Growing From Starter Plants

There are far fewer steps when growing from a starter plant versus seeds. However, that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. You still need to ensure you set your starter plants up for success by using the right products for them to thrive and protect them from the early spring weather.

One big no-no people make is that they use insufficient soil; this could lead to waterlogging, pest infestation, and nutrient deficiencies which could result in poor plant growth and development. So, although your starter plants arrive strong and healthy, it’s up to you to make sure they stay that way. Here’s how you can do that:

Potting Mix: If container gardening is your thing, choose a container with holes in the bottom and pour in a potting mix with plenty of nutrients and efficient drainage, like Miracle-Gro Organic™ Outdoor Potting Mix. Fill your pot about ⅓ full, and you're ready to plant.
In-Ground and Raised Bed Soil: First, you’ll want to remove any debris or weeds you see and loosen up the existing soil by turning it with a shovel or digging fork. Then mix Miracle-Gro Organic™ Raised Bed & Garden Soil into the existing soil and rake until it’s even. Plant your starter plants then add a layer of Miracle-Gro Organic™ All Natural Mulch to help control weeds and keep the soil moist.

Whether you start your cool-season vegetables from seed or starter plants, be sure to nurture your crops throughout the growing season by feeding them regularly with Miracle-Gro Organic™ Plant Food which is formulated to feed all plants instantly.

Growing cool-weather crops is a rewarding experience for all gardeners regardless of experience. It's a fantastic way to stretch your growing season, and that means more meals on your table with fresh, delicious vegetables from your garden.