Cool Season Crops: Planting Calendar and Varieties

Table of cool-season crops with seed start, transplant timing, and dependable varieties.

CROP TYPE	START SEEDS	TRANSPLANTS	DEPENDABLE VARIETIES
GREEN VEGETABLES
Arugula	Aug.–Oct.	Sept.–Oct.	n/a
Broccoli	Aug.	Aug.–Oct.	'Premium Crop', Romanesco, 'Violet Queen'
Cabbage	Aug.	Aug.–Sept.	'Ruby Perfection'
Cauliflower	Aug.–Sept.	Aug.–Oct.	'Amazing'
Endive	Aug.–early Sept.	Sept.–Nov.	Curly and broad-leafed (escarole)
Kale	Aug.	Aug.–Oct.	'Winterbor'
Lettuce	Aug.	Aug.–Sept.	'Dark Lollo Rossa', 'Lollo Rossa', 'Sierra', 'Tom Thumb'
Mustard	Aug.–Sept.	Sept.–Nov.	'Giant Red', 'Green Wave'
Peas	Aug.–Sept.	Sept.–Oct.	'Oregon Giant', 'Oregon Sugar Pod II', 'Sugar Snap'
Spinach	Aug.	Sept.–Oct.	'Tyee'
Swiss chard	Aug.	Aug.–Sept.	'Perpetual Spinach', 'Rainbow', 'Ruby'
ROOTS AND BULBS
Beets	late July–Aug.	Not advised	'Early Wonder Tall Top', 'Red Ace', 'Winter Keeper'
Carrots	late July–Aug.	Not advised	'Babette', 'Bolero'
Garlic	n/a	Oct.–Dec. (cloves)	'Chesnok Red', 'Spanish Roja'
Onions	Aug.–Sept.	Sept.–Oct.	'Walla Walla Sweet' north of Bakersfield, 'Buffalo' anywhere
Radishes	Aug.–Sept.	Not advised	'Cherry Belle', 'Crimson Giant'
HERBS
Parsley	Aug.–Oct.	n/a	'Forest Green' for garnishes, Italian flat-leaf for cooking
Rosemary	Any time	n/a	'Arp' or 'Sawyer's Selection' for cold climates, 'Tuscan Blue' elsewhere

About Garden: Understanding GM Crops: Science and Controversy; Cool-Season Weed Control in the South: Organic Won't Cut It; What Are Cole Crops? The Brassica Family Guide; Poinsettia Care: Keeping Holiday Plants Beautiful Year-Round; Cover Crops: Green Manure for Healthier Garden Soil; Snapdragon 'Cool Coral': Soft Coral Spikes for Spring Gardens; Snapdragon 'Cool Rose': Classic Rose-Pink for Cool Seasons; Snapdragon 'Cool White': Pure White Spikes for Moon Gardens; Cottage Garden Design: History, Essentials & Endless Charm; Cool-Season Vegetables: What to Grow and When

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