Cool Season Planting Guide: Getting Started

Cool Season Planting Guide: Getting Started
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Cool Season Planting Guide: Getting Started

Getting Started with Cool Season Planting: Fall and Spring Guide

Cool season crops can be really fun to plant.

Cool season planting is a great way to extend your growing season and enjoy fresh produce and vibrant blooms during times when many plants struggle. Whether you’re planning a fall garden or gearing up for spring planting, cool season crops thrive in milder temperatures, offering gardeners unique advantages such as reduced pests, fewer weeds, and better soil conditions for root establishment.

Planting in the fall or early spring allows you to take advantage of these favorable conditions to grow hardy vegetables, beautiful perennials, and prepare for spectacular spring displays with bulbs. This guide will walk you through the essentials for successful cool season planting in both seasons.

The warm soil makes it easier for plants to have their roots settled. Shrubs, trees, and flowering perennials are great for fall planting since they can establish their root systems without the stress of having to bloom or fruit in the fall and winter. At this time you can have an extended edible garden right into the winter since cool season veggies are often frost-tolerant. Fall is also perfect to plant fun spring-blooming bulbs. Not to mention the cool weather providing a nice relaxing environment for planting! Our Cool Season planting guide will give you all the information you need to have a successful fall garden this year.

Why Cool Season Planting Works

Cool season gardening leverages the natural benefits of milder weather:

  • In Fall: Soil remains warm from the summer, helping plants establish strong root systems before winter dormancy. Many vegetables and flowers tolerate light frosts and thrive in the cooler air.
  • In Spring: Cool season plants grow vigorously in the chilly, damp soil before the heat of summer sets in. Early planting extends your growing season and ensures a robust harvest.


When to Start Growing in Fall

Vegetables

3 months before first scheduled frost:

2 1/2 months before first scheduled frost:

  • Transplant Brassica family seedlings into garden.
  • Beets, Carrots, Collards, and Mustard (sow seeds outdoors)

2 months before first scheduled frost:

  • Arugula, Spinach, Pak Choi, and Radish (sow seeds outdoors)
  • Lettuce (sow seeds outdoors)

6 weeks before first scheduled frost

  • Swiss Chard (sow seeds outdoors)

Bulbs

  • Plant bulbs as soon as possible after you receive them.

Check the number of days for germination on the seed packet to know when to harvest your seeds. Cool season vegetables are great for canning, freezing, and fall recipes. Share your favorite fall garden tips or fall recipes with us. Use Park Seed's app, From Seed to Spoon, for the best dates to plant where you live.

Cool Season Vegetables

Cool season vegetables are versatile and frost-tolerant, making them ideal for both fall and spring planting. Popular choices include:

  • Root Vegetables: Beets, carrots, radishes, parsnips, and turnips grow best in cool conditions.
  • Leafy Greens: Kale, spinach, collards, mustard greens, and Swiss chard thrive in cool weather.
  • Brassicas: Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and kohlrabi love crisp air and are perfect for fall or spring.
  • Other Staples: Garlic, peas, onions, lettuce, and winter squash round out your cool season garden.

Cool Season Perennials and Flowers

Many perennials and flowers are also perfect for cool season planting. These plants establish roots during the cooler months and reward gardeners with stunning blooms in spring and summer.

  • Perennials to Plant: Coneflower, black-eyed Susan, delphinium, larkspur, columbine, penstemon, and phlox.
  • Spring Bulbs: Daffodils, tulips, and crocuses are best planted in fall to burst into bloom as soon as winter wanes.
  • Cold-Stratification Seeds: Perennials like foxglove, sweet William, and poppies benefit from being sown in fall or early spring to simulate natural winter conditions.

(Seeds that need a cold period to flower) Foxglove, Sweet William, Poppy, Delphinium/Larkspur, Hollyhock, Black-eyed Susan, Coneflower, Geranium, Columbine, Hummingbird Mint, Hibiscus, Sedum, Catmint, Phlox, Penstemon, Veronica, Viola, Primrose, and Sweet Pea.

When to Start Growing for Fall and Spring

Timing is key to a successful cool season garden. Use these guidelines for planting:

For Fall Planting:

  • 3 Months Before Frost: Start seeds for broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and brussels sprouts indoors. Direct sow parsnips, turnips, peas, and winter squash outdoors.
  • 2-2.5 Months Before Frost: Transplant brassica seedlings into the garden. Direct sow beets, carrots, collards, and mustard greens outdoors.
  • 6 Weeks Before Frost: Sow spinach, arugula, lettuce, and radishes directly into the ground.

For Spring Planting:

  • 6-8 Weeks Before Last Frost: Start seeds for brassicas, onions, and leeks indoors.
  • 2-3 Weeks Before Last Frost: Direct sow cool-tolerant vegetables like peas, carrots, and radishes outdoors.
  • Just After Last Frost: Transplant seedlings and sow fast-growing greens like lettuce, Swiss chard, and spinach.

Bulbs

  • Plant bulbs as soon as possible after you receive them.

Check the number of days for germination on the seed packet to know when to harvest your seeds. Cool season vegetables are great for canning, freezing, and fall recipes. Share with us your favorite fall garden tips or fall recipes.

Benefits of Cool Season Planting

Cool season gardening offers multiple benefits:

  • Fewer Pests: Fall and spring temperatures reduce common garden pests like aphids and caterpillars.
  • Extended Harvests: Growing cold-hardy vegetables ensures fresh produce into late fall or early spring.
  • Healthier Soil: Planting in fall gives soil time to rest and rejuvenate over winter, while spring planting utilizes the moisture and nutrients from winter precipitation.

Pro Tips for Cool Season Success

  • Use Row Covers: Protect young plants from unexpected frosts or fluctuating spring temperatures.
  • Mulch for Warmth: Add a layer of mulch in fall to insulate the soil and preserve warmth for roots.
  • Choose Frost-Tolerant Varieties: Look for seeds labeled as hardy or cold-resistant for optimal results.
  • Plan for Succession Planting: Sow fast-growing greens like radishes or spinach early, and follow up with slower crops for continuous harvests.

Check the number of days for germination on the seed packet to know when to harvest your seeds. Cool season vegetables are great for canning, freezing, and fall recipes. Share with us your favorite fall garden tips or fall recipes.

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