Artichokes

As our weather has continued to moderate, artichokes have become more and more successful to grow in our climate.  The plant makes a dramatic addition to the garden and over the years you should be able to harvest a half dozen chokes per plants.  Aphids can be a problem but soapy water or lady bugs will usually get rid of them.

Arugula

Actually a member of the cabbage & mustard green family, it is commonly thought of as a lettuce due to how often it appears in salads. It can also be enjoyed cooked in a variety of dishes by adding its peppery bite for unique flavor. A cool season vegetable.

Beets

A cool-season vegetable that can be planted in March/April, and late crop anytime from June to September. They like full to part sun & need to maintain plenty of moisture. Nutritious & can be frozen, canned & pickled.

Broccoli

A cool-season crop that is best for growing in the spring or fall. Broccoli requires full sun and moist, fertile soil that’s slightly acidic. Try not to get heads wet when watering. Rich in vitamins and minerals, and is a good source of Vitamin A, potassium, folic acid, iron, and fiber. Great for all uses!

Cabbage

A cool-season crop that likes full sun & moist soils. Avoid planting near broccoli, cauliflower, strawberries or tomatoes (they all like the same nutrients in the soil). Instead plant them near beans or cucumbers. A hardy, leafy vegetable full of nutrients!

Cauliflower

A cool-season vegetable that is a little bit challenging to grow since it does not tolerate the heat or cold very well. They need full sun & soil that is very rich in organic matter (lots of added compost!). They also need consistent soil moisture. Great fresh or for all kinds of cooking.

Celery

Homegrown is not only is better-tasting than store-bought, but it also has less chemicals on it. There are ‘trenching’ & ‘self-branching’ varieties that require different planting techniques - be sure to pay attention to which variety you get. A get veggie for soups, dishes, salads & with peanut butter (or similar alternative)! A cool season vegetable.

Collard Greens

A traditional vegetable for many families, the greens are a great source of vitamins C, Beta Carotene & fiber. A member of the cabbage family, it is easy to grow & a heavy producer. A cool season vegetable that can be planted in the spring of fall, it is best to plant in fall as it is frost-proof & the flavor is actually benefited by receiving a light frost. Great for many cooking uses.

Endive

It grows like lettuce because it is in that family & it is best planted in early spring. Plant only after any danger of frost is gone. Great in salads & other cooking uses. A cool season vegetable.

Garlic

Incredibly useful in the kitchen & surprisingly easy to grow in the garden - this cool-season crop is traditionally best planted in fall, giving it a jumpstart on the growing season making it one of the first things to come up in spring. Need rich, well-drained soil. So many great uses!

See this year’s varieties, right here!

Kohlrabi

A cool-season veg that is an odd-looking member of the cabbage family grown for its bulb-like stem that tastes like a mild, sweet turnip. You can also eat the leaves. Needs full sun each day (the more the better), fertile, well-drained, moist soil with plenty of rich organic matter. High in fiber and vitamin C, kohlrabi is a fast-grower, with plants ready to harvest just a few weeks after planting.

Lettuces

A cool-season crop that grows well in the spring and fall. Needs part sun & fertile, well-drained soil. Consider planting rows of chives or garlic between your lettuce to control aphids - they act as “barrier plants” for the lettuce. Home-grown lettuce is far superior—in both taste and vitamin A content—to the store-bought alternative!

Mustard Greens 

A cool season vegetable that is fast growing & has nutritious leafy greens. Although not as hardy as their cousins collards & kale, they can tolerate a light frost which will make their leaves sweeter. They are easy to grow & care for and are a great companion to pansies. The young leafs are good raw in salads or sandwiches & the larger more mature leaves are best cooked.

Onions

A cool-season vegetable that offers so many easy-to-grow varieties to choose from! They need full sun & cool, moist soil. Cooking uses are endless!

See this year’s varieties, right here!

Peas

A cool-season veg that are one of the first crops to plant in the spring. Plant as soon as the ground can be worked—even if snow falls after you plant them!  They need full to part sun & well-drained soil. They are easy to grow, but have a limited growing season. As with other legumes, peas will fix nitrogen in the soil, making it available for other plants - This makes them a great companion plant. Great for fresh eating or for cooking.

Potatoes

Cool-season crops that like cool weather and well-drained, loose soil. There are so many varieties to choose from - any homegrown potato’s taste & texture is far superior to those of store-bought spuds, especially the early varieties. Many great cooking uses!

See this year’s varieties, right here!

Radicchio

A cool season vegetable that is frost-tolerant & has a wonderful tangy taste - the flavor actually sweetens with a touch of frost. It is a fast-grower & can be used in many cooking applications, especially in salads & on sandwiches.

Rhubarb

A bold textured perennial vegetable that makes an attractive ornamental as well as a tasty edible. It is grown for the stalks, which are often combined with strawberries to make delicious pies. The leaves are poisonous when consumed, but the stems, when combined with copious amounts of sugar, are very tasty. 

Shallots

A cool-season crop that should be grown in full sun, but will tolerate partial shade in rich soil. They are planted close to the surface, as a layer of compost will help retain moisture. A great mixed taste of onion and garlic, great for many cooking uses.

See this year’s varieties, right here!

Spinach

A super–cold-hardy vegetable that can be planted in very early spring, as well as in fall and winter. Need full sun to partial shade conditions along with well-drained soil. Versatile in both its nutrition and its ability to be eaten raw or cooked. It is higher in iron, calcium, and vitamins than most cultivated greens, and one of the best sources of vitamins A, B, and C.

Artichokes

As our weather has continued to moderate, artichokes have become more and more successful to grow in our climate.  The plant makes a dramatic addition to the garden and over the years you should be able to harvest a half dozen chokes per plants.  Aphids can be a problem but soapy water or lady bugs will usually get rid of them.

Arugula

Actually a member of the cabbage & mustard green family, it is commonly thought of as a lettuce due to how often it appears in salads. It can also be enjoyed cooked in a variety of dishes by adding its peppery bite for unique flavor. A cool season vegetable.

Beans

A warm-season veggie that is a staple of every vegetable garden because they are so easy to grow & incredibly productive! Though most beans are indeed green, they also come in purple, red, yellow, and streaked varieties. Also available in bush or pole varieties.

Beets

A cool-season vegetable that can be planted in March/April, and late crop anytime from June to September. They like full to part sun & need to maintain plenty of moisture. Nutritious & can be frozen, canned & pickled.

Bell Peppers

A warm-season veggie that likes full sun & warm temperatures. Soil should be well drained, but be sure to maintain adequate moisture either with mulch or plastic covering. Add compost when planting & fertilizer after the first fruit has set. Great for fresh eating, steamed or sautéed.

Broccoli

A cool-season crop that is best for growing in the spring or fall. Broccoli requires full sun and moist, fertile soil that’s slightly acidic. Try not to get heads wet when watering. Rich in vitamins and minerals, and is a good source of Vitamin A, potassium, folic acid, iron, and fiber. Great for all uses!

Cabbage

A cool-season crop that likes full sun & moist soils. Avoid planting near broccoli, cauliflower, strawberries or tomatoes (they all like the same nutrients in the soil). Instead plant them near beans or cucumbers. A hardy, leafy vegetable full of nutrients!

Cauliflower

A cool-season vegetable that is a little bit challenging to grow since it does not tolerate the heat or cold very well. They need full sun & soil that is very rich in organic matter (lots of added compost!). They also need consistent soil moisture. Great fresh or for all kinds of cooking.

Cayenne Peppers

Warm-season veg that likes full sun & well-drained soil, yet moist soils. High in vitamin A & also contains vitamins B6, E, C as well as riboflavin, potassium & manganese. Used for cooking in its grown form or ground into a powder for many other uses.

Celeriac

Also known as celery root, it offers fine-grained white flesh with a unique & delicious taste. It is a great keeper & will remain in good condition for four to six months in a root cellar or refrigerator crisper. A cool season vegetable.

Celtuce

Also known as stem, asparagus or celery lettuce, it is a unique variety of lettuce grown for its thick, fleshy stems. Popular in Asian cuisines, the leaves can be eaten in the spring but it is prized for its tender white stems. It can be prepared in many different ways to be eaten raw or cooked, grilled, stir-fried, roasted or pickled - its mild, nutty flavor is delicious. A cool season vegetable.

Chicory Catalogna

Also known as Italian Dandelion, Chicory greens have long, broad, dandelion-like leaves with an asparagus-like flavor. A rapid grower whose leaves & tender spring stalks can be used for early greens. They are extremely high in vitamin A, rich in vitamin C, calcium, & iron. A cool season vegetable.

Corn

A warm-season vegetable. Available in yellow, white, or bi-colored varieties, as well as early, mid & late season varieties. Good to plant in blocks, as opposed to a single row. Be careful not to miss the optimal harvest time - the corn’s flavor will go downhill fast as sugars convert to starch.

Cucumber

A warm-season, easy-care vegetable that loves sun and water. cucumbers grow quickly as long as they receive consistent watering. Most varieties will grow in any amount of space, thanks to the plant’s ability to climb. Great for fresh eating & are perfect for pickling!

Eggplant

A warm-season crop that are ideal for raised beds (since the soil warms more quickly) & are also great for containers. They need full sun, moist soil & taller growing varieties need to be staked before fruit appears. Great for grilling!

Endive

It grows like lettuce because it is in that family & it is best planted in early spring. Plant only after any danger of frost is gone. Great in salads & other cooking uses. A cool season vegetable.

Garlic

Incredibly useful in the kitchen & surprisingly easy to grow in the garden - this cool-season crop is traditionally best planted in fall, giving it a jumpstart on the growing season making it one of the first things to come up in spring. Need rich, well-drained soil. So many great uses!

See this year’s varieties, right here!

Horseradish

A perennial vegetable.  It is the root that is harvested, and like most perennial veggies, it is best to wait 2 to 3 years before cutting any to eat.

Jalapeno

A warm-season veggie that yields a bountiful harvest & compact varieties grow well in containers. Use jalapeño on nachos or in salsa, or smoke the mature red ones over mesquite chips to make your own chipotle sauce.

Kale

A hardy, cool-season green that grows best in the spring and fall and can tolerate fall frosts. Needs full sun & well-drained soil. Can be used in salads or simply as a garnish & has a number of health benefits, as it is rich in minerals and vitamins A and C.

Kohlrabi

A cool-season veg that is an odd-looking member of the cabbage family grown for its bulb-like stem that tastes like a mild, sweet turnip. You can also eat the leaves. Needs full sun each day (the more the better), fertile, well-drained, moist soil with plenty of rich organic matter. High in fiber and vitamin C, kohlrabi is a fast-grower, with plants ready to harvest just a few weeks after planting.

Leeks

An easy-to-grow member of the onion family that is sweet & mild in taste. They are gentle on the digestive system & can be substituted in cooking applications for a toned down version of an onion. Their flavor is actually stored in thick, juicy stems that look similar to giant scallions & they don’t require much room in the garden. Some varieties are frost-tolerant & can be overwintered in the ground. A cool season vegetable.

Lettuces

A cool-season crop that grows well in the spring and fall. Needs part sun & fertile, well-drained soil. Consider planting rows of chives or garlic between your lettuce to control aphids - they act as “barrier plants” for the lettuce. Home-grown lettuce is far superior—in both taste and vitamin A content—to the store-bought alternative!

Mustard Greens 

A cool season vegetable that is fast growing & has nutritious leafy greens. Although not as hardy as their cousins collards & kale, they can tolerate a light frost which will make their leaves sweeter. They are easy to grow & care for and are a great companion to pansies. The young leafs are good raw in salads or sandwiches & the larger more mature leaves are best cooked.

Okra

A warm-season crop that is easy to grow as well as use. Its beautiful flowers help it to look lovely throughout the growing season. It’s also rich in vitamin A and low in calories, which makes it a great addition to your diet.

Onions

A cool-season vegetable that offers so many easy-to-grow varieties to choose from! They need full sun & cool, moist soil. Cooking uses are endless!

See this year’s varieties, right here!

Pak Choi

Also known as bok choy or Chinese white cabbage, it is grown for its stalks - mainly used in Asian cooking. It is delicious raw or cooked. Grows best in cool weather and can be grown as a spring or fall crop.

Peas

A cool-season veg that are one of the first crops to plant in the spring. Plant as soon as the ground can be worked—even if snow falls after you plant them!  They need full to part sun & well-drained soil. They are easy to grow, but have a limited growing season. As with other legumes, peas will fix nitrogen in the soil, making it available for other plants - This makes them a great companion plant. Great for fresh eating or for cooking.

Pea Greens (Garnish Peas)

A cool season vegetable. Grown for its leafy tendrils & edible shoots and blossoms - fresh pea flavor. Harvest tendrils a few days after they form, when the leaflets have just formed and are still tender. Whole plants can also be harvested when they are 6” to 8” tall. Use as a unique salad garnish or briefly stir fry.

Peppers

Warm-season veggies that come in a huge array of varieties - sweet bell peppers to incredibly hot peppers and everything in between. They come in many flavors, colors, shapes & sizes! Peppers offer something for everyone and resist most garden pests.

Potatoes

Cool-season crops that like cool weather and well-drained, loose soil. There are so many varieties to choose from - any homegrown potato’s taste & texture is far superior to those of store-bought spuds, especially the early varieties. Many great cooking uses!

See this year’s varieties, right here!

Pumpkin

A warm-season favorite that has a long growing season (roughly 75 to 100 frost-free days), so they need to be planted by late May, roughly. There are so many fun varieties to grow & they are easy to maintain, if you have the space.

Radicchio

A cool season vegetable that is frost-tolerant & has a wonderful tangy taste - the flavor actually sweetens with a touch of frost. It is a fast-grower & can be used in many cooking applications, especially in salads & on sandwiches.

Rhubarb

A bold textured perennial vegetable that makes an attractive ornamental as well as a tasty edible. It is grown for the stalks, which are often combined with strawberries to make delicious pies. The leaves are poisonous when consumed, but the stems, when combined with copious amounts of sugar, are very tasty. 

Shallots

A cool-season crop that should be grown in full sun, but will tolerate partial shade in rich soil. They are planted close to the surface, as a layer of compost will help retain moisture. A great mixed taste of onion and garlic, great for many cooking uses.

See this year’s varieties, right here!

Shiso

A cool season vegetable/herb that is commonly grown & used in Asian countries. It can be used fresh, it’s oils can be used medicinally or as a food coloring & when used as food coloring, it also adds an antimicrobial agent to pickled food. It can also be grown as an ornamental where you can still benefit from its amazing fragrance.

Spinach

A super–cold-hardy vegetable that can be planted in very early spring, as well as in fall and winter. Need full sun to partial shade conditions along with well-drained soil. Versatile in both its nutrition and its ability to be eaten raw or cooked. It is higher in iron, calcium, and vitamins than most cultivated greens, and one of the best sources of vitamins A, B, and C.

Squash

Warm-season veggies that are extremely prolific producers! Easy to grow and chances are that you’ll end up with more than you can handle. But that’s OK, there’s lots of great ways to use squash!  There are many different varieties & they all fall into either the Summer Squash or Winter Squash categories (i.e. when they are harvested).

Swiss Chard

A beautiful vegetable that adds lots of color to a vegetable garden with its colorful stems and bright green leaves. It is easy to grow & one of the few that can tolerate both cool & warm temperatures. A delicious veggie that is great in many cooking uses.

Tomatoes

A warm-season crop that needs full sun & loose, well-drained, moist soil. Though we technically eat the fruit of the tomato plant, the tomato is typically treated as a vegetable in eating and cooking and, thus, commonly categorized as such. They can be grown in containers or in the ground & should be staked when planted. Great fresh, for cooking, canning or sauces.

See some varieties, right here!

Turnip

Cool weather vegetables that are perfect for growing in the spring or fall seasons. can be grown both in spring and fall, avoiding the hot summer months.  They are great for home gardeners due to the fact that they mature very quickly & you can eat both the root/vegetable along with the tops/greens. Great as a substitute for potatoes in cooking uses.

Zucchini

A warm-season vegetable that are very prolific producers & easy to grow. Needs full sun & soil should be moist and well-drained, but not soggy. They are heavy producers & need nutrient-rich soil via compost & fertilizers. Harvest summer squash when small and tender for best flavor. Great for eating fresh, cooking & baking uses.