Get a Head Start: Cool-Season Seeds to Start Growing Now in Zones 6 & 7
As summer winds down, it’s time to start thinking about your fall garden! Since we are in Zones 6 / 7, late August to early September is the perfect window to start cool-season seeds. These plants thrive in cooler temperatures and will keep your garden productive well into the fall.
1. Leafy Greens: Spinach, Lettuce, Kale, and Arugula
- Spinach: Spinach loves cool weather and will produce tender, flavorful leaves as temperatures drop. Sow seeds directly in the garden now, and you’ll be harvesting within 4-6 weeks.
- Lettuce: Lettuce varieties like romaine, butterhead, and leaf lettuce are perfect for fall. They grow quickly and can be harvested as baby greens or full heads.
- Kale: Kale is a cold-hardy green that actually tastes sweeter after a light frost. Start seeds now for a hearty fall crop that can last into winter.
- Arugula: Arugula’s peppery leaves are a great addition to salads and sandwiches. It’s a fast grower, so you can start harvesting just a few weeks after planting.
2. Root Vegetables: Carrots, Beets, Radishes, Rutabaga, and Turnips
- Carrots: Sow carrot seeds directly into well-drained soil. These slow growers will mature just as the cool weather sets in, giving you sweet, crunchy roots by late fall.
- Beets: Beets are another root vegetable that thrives in cooler temps. Their greens are edible too, so you get two crops in one! Sow seeds now for a fall harvest.
- Radishes: Radishes are one of the quickest crops to grow, often ready to harvest in as little as 3-4 weeks. Plant seeds now for a fast and flavorful addition to your fall garden.
- Rutabaga: Rutabagas are a bit of a garden secret—they’re sweet, versatile, and store well. Start seeds now for a late fall harvest, perfect for soups and roasts.
- Turnips: Turnips are a dual-purpose crop with edible roots and greens. They mature quickly, making them ideal for fall planting.
3. Cruciferous Vegetables: Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Brussels Sprouts
- Broccoli: Broccoli is a cool-weather favorite that can be direct-seeded or started indoors and transplanted. It matures best in cool weather, so starting seeds now will give you a fall crop.
- Cauliflower: Cauliflower is a bit more finicky but worth the effort. Start seeds indoors and transplant seedlings when they’re 4-6 weeks old.
- Brussels Sprouts: Brussels sprouts take a while to mature, but the wait is worth it. Start seeds indoors now and transplant in late September for a late fall or early winter harvest.
4. Quick-Growing Veggies: Bush Beans and Peas
- Bush Beans: While beans are typically a summer crop, bush beans grow quickly enough to squeeze in one last planting before the first frost. Choose a fast-maturing variety, and you’ll be enjoying fresh beans in about 50-60 days.
- Peas: Peas love cooler weather and will thrive in the fall. Plant them now for a delicious late-season crop of snap, snow, or shelling peas.
5. Herbs: Cilantro and Parsley
- Cilantro: Cilantro bolts quickly in summer heat but thrives in cooler weather. Start seeds now for a fall crop that’s perfect for salsas and garnishes.
- Parsley: Parsley is a biennial herb that grows well in cool weather. Sow seeds now for fresh herbs through the fall and into winter.
Quick Tip:
- Succession Planting: For a continuous harvest, consider planting seeds in two-week intervals. This way, you’ll have fresh veggies coming in throughout the fall.
- Plant started plants: For a quicker to harvest date start off with some of our vegetable seedlings.
- Add Nutrients back in: For beds that have been holding summer crops it’s imperative to add back nutrients either by topping off with compost or adding in organic fertilizer such as Bio-Tone.
Get those seeds in the ground now, and enjoy a bountiful harvest of cool-season crops right when you need them most! Happy planting!
