Growing Cool-Season Edible

• Cool-season crops are happiest when daytime temps hover between 65–80°F and nights stay above 40°F. • Many of these vegetables can shrug off a light frost without complaint. • Set out cool-season seedlings 2 to 4 weeks before your first hard frost date. • Check the Farmers' Almanac for your local first frost date—it's a gardener's best friend. • Don't jump the gun and plant too early. If you harvest cool-season crops when temps are above 80°F, they turn bitter on you.

1. Start seeds indoors. Your seed packet will tell you the best timing for your USDA Zone—follow it. 2. Get the garden ready: Clear out weeds, work in some amendments, and have a light cloth or row cover on standby to shield your plants from an early frost.

22 Cool-Season Crops to Try

• Arugula (rocket) • Beets • Broccoli • Brussels sprouts • Cabbage • Collards • Carrots • Cauliflower • Celery (mild winter climates) • Chard • Chinese cabbage • English peas • Fennel • Kale • Kohlrabi • Leeks • Lettuce • Mustard greens • Potatoes • Radishes • Spinach • Turnip — lettuce and chard are always in my fall garden