As the frost melts and spring peeks through, it’s the perfect time to start your cool weather vegetable garden! Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just getting started, these hardy crops thrive in the brisk air of early spring — and they taste amazing too.
Here’s your quick-start guide to growing cool weather vegetables this spring.
🥬 What Are Cool Weather Vegetables?
Cool weather veggies are plants that can handle—and even prefer—chilly temperatures. Unlike summer crops, they don’t need hot weather to thrive and can be planted as soon as the soil is workable. Many are even frost-tolerant!
Popular cool weather vegetables include:
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Lettuce
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Spinach
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Kale
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Peas
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Broccoli
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Carrots
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Radishes
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Cauliflower
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Cabbage
🌿 How to Get Started
1. Choose the Right Spot
Most cool weather veggies love full sun — at least 6 hours a day. Look for a location with good drainage and loosen the soil before planting.
2. Prep the Soil
Enrich your soil with compost or organic matter. This boosts nutrients and improves soil texture. You want loose, crumbly soil that roots can easily penetrate.
3. Know When to Plant
Plant seeds 2–4 weeks before your last expected frost. Many of these veggies can germinate in soil as cool as 40°F (4°C). Use a soil thermometer for best results!
🧤 Planting Tips by Vegetable
🥦 Broccoli & Cauliflower
Start indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost or direct sow if your spring is long and cool. Transplant when seedlings are 4–6 weeks old. Keep them 18–24 inches apart.
🥕 Carrots
Direct sow into the garden. Thin seedlings to 2 inches apart once they sprout. Keep soil moist for straight, smooth roots.
🌿 Spinach & Kale
These leafy greens are super hardy. Direct sow or transplant. Thin spinach to 3 inches and kale to 12–18 inches apart.
🌱 Peas
Soak seeds overnight and plant directly in early spring. Use a trellis for support. Space seeds 2 inches apart and rows 18 inches apart.
💧 Watering & Maintenance
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Water consistently, about 1 inch per week, especially during dry spells.
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Mulch around your plants to retain moisture and prevent weeds.
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Fertilize with a balanced organic fertilizer every few weeks.
🐛 Watch Out for Pests
Cool weather doesn't mean pest-free. Watch for aphids, cabbage worms, and slugs. Use row covers or organic sprays to protect your crops.
🌟 Bonus Tips
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Succession plant: Stagger your plantings every 1–2 weeks for a longer harvest window.
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Harvest early and often: Most cool-season veggies taste better young and tender.
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Extend your season: Use cold frames or row covers to stretch your spring harvest into early summer.
🛒 Ready to Grow?
Browse our [Spring Gardening Collection] for high-quality seeds, organic fertilizers, and tools designed for success. Whether you’re growing kale in containers or prepping a backyard plot, we’ve got everything you need to get growing this season!