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Cool Season Vegetables
- See Cool Season Vegetables for information on how to grow each vegetable.
- Refer to our Vegetable Planting Chart for a month by month guide on when to plant which vegetables. Developed specifically for Santa Clara County.
- Check our Events Calendar for upcoming talks on cool season vegetables.
Below are some varieties that Master Gardeners have found grow well here.
OP: Open-pollinated. Seed saved will breed true to type.
Hybrid: Produced from crosses between two distinct parent lines. Seed saved will not be true to the variety planted. (More on Saving Vegetable Seeds from the University of Minnesota Extension)
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Arugula: Italian, OP
Delicious salad greens with deep, spicy flavor. Will resow if allowed to go to seed. Flowers are edible too. 8–10" tall. Plant 3–6" apart.
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Asian Greens: Bopak Choi Hybrid
Ready in 45 days. Tall, heavy, full-size heads with mild, succulent flavor. 8–10" tall. Plant 8–12" apart.
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Asian Greens: Chinese Broccoli, Gai Lan, OP
Thick, juicy stalks, young leaves and flower buds are tender and delicious. Can harvest shoots repeatedly for weeks.
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Asian Greens: Napa Cabbage, Minuet, Hybrid
Excellent mini variety. Upright, dense heads. Slow to bolt. 9" tall. Plant 12" apart.
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Asian Greens: Nozawana Turnip Greens, OP
Traditional Japanese variety grown for leaves and stalks. For best flavor and texture, harvest at 2” wide. 24" tall. Plant 4–6" apart.
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Asian Greens: Pak Choi Green Fortune, Hybrid
Ready in 30 days. Great for greens or stir-fry. Slow to bolt. 8–10" tall. Plant 8–12" apart.
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Asian Greens: Shungiku (Edible chrysanthemum), OP
Clip young leaves frequently to keep plants small and tender. Fine, lacy leaves are mild and tasty. 4–8" tall. Plant close together.
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Asian Greens: Tatsoi, OP
Smooth, spoon-shaped leaves in a compact rosette. Mild flavor is perfect for salads or stir fries. 6–10" tall. Plant 6" apart.
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Beets: Chioggia Guardsmark, OP
Improved version of Chioggia (pronounced ‘kee–OH–jaw’), known for its red & white candy-striped rings. 8–12" tall. Plant 4–6" apart.
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Beets: Detroit Dark Red, OP
Popular heirloom beet, uniform and smooth, with sweet red flesh and tasty 14" tops for greens. 10–14" tall. Plant 4–6" apart.
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Beets: Touchstone Gold, OP
Sweet golden beets are mild and tasty. Beautiful in salads. Greens are delicious and mild. Stabilized OP version of Touchstone Gold hybrid. 8–12" tall. Plant 4–6" apart.
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Broccoli: Belstar, Hybrid
Large 6–8" main head followed by plentiful side shoots which will continue all winter long. Later than Packman. 18–24" tall. Plant 12–18" apart.
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Broccoli: Calabrese, OP
Medium-sized 3–6" main head followed by numerous side shoots for months afterwards. 24–30" tall. Plant 12–18" apart.
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Broccoli: Gypsy, Hybrid
Large 6–8" main head followed by plentiful side shoots. Heat tolerant. 18–24" tall. Plant 12–18" apart.
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Broccoli: Mixed
Mixed four-pack of broccoli. A great way to try several varieties! Plant 12–18" apart.
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Cauliflower: Cheddar, Hybrid
Like a regular cauliflower, but orange! Sweet and tasty, with about 25 times as much beta carotene as white cauliflower. No blanching needed. Delicious and striking. 18–24" tall. Plant 24–30" apart.
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Cauliflower: Fioretto Sprouting, Hybrid
Loose heads have tender stems that elongate as they mature. Harvest sprouts up to 8" long. 18–24" tall. Plant 24–30" apart.
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Cauliflower: Purple of Sicily, OP
Purple Italian heirloom. Big heads with fine flavor, turn green when cooked. 18–24" tall. Plant 18–24" apart.
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Cauliflower: Romanesco Veronica, Hybrid
Light green heads with incredible swirls that form amazing fractal shapes. Sweet nut-like taste. 18–24" tall. Plant 24–30" apart.
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Cauliflower: Snow Crown, Hybrid
Early snowball type is pure white, round and flavorful, weighing up to 2 lbs. each. 18–24" tall. Plant 24–30" apart.
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Cauliflower: Vita Verde F1
Big green heads mature early. Sweet and mild. No blanching needed. Heat tolerant. 18–24" tall. Plant 18–24" apart.
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Cauliflower: Mixed
Mixed four-pack of cauliflowers. A fun way to try different varieties! Plant 24–30" apart.
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Chard: Bionda di Lione, OP
Large, light green leaves on thick white stems. Excellent flavor. 18–24" tall. Plant 12–18" apart.
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Chard: Peppermint Stick, OP
Beautiful chard with hot pink and white striped stems, delicious as well as ornamental. 18–24" tall. Plant 12–18" apart.
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Collards: Georgia Southern, OP
Harvest delicious outer leaves for a constant supply. Cabbage/kale flavor. 24–36" tall. Plant 12–18" apart.
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Fennel: Di Parma, OP
Superior bulbing fennel, large and uniform, with great flavor. Flowers attract beneficials and swallowtail butterflies will lay eggs on the feathery greens. 24–36" tall. Plant 10–12" apart.
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Fenugreek (Methi) OP
Plant close together. Harvest lush green leaves while plants are small and tender, at 6–8” tall.
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Italian Greens: Radicchio, La Rosa del Veneto, OP
Loose head of tender salmon pink /rose-gold leaves. Less bitter than most radicchios. Late maturing. 8–12" tall. Plant 12" apart.
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Italian Greens: Rapini (Broccoli Raab), OP
Plentiful shoots have a delicate slightly bitter/spicy/peppery flavor. 12–18" tall. Plant 6–10" apart.
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Italian Greens: Mixed
Mix of chicories (such as Sugarloaf chicory, Blonde Full Heart escarole, Orchidea Rossa radicchio, Cuor d’Oro frisée, or La Rosa del Veneto). 8–12" tall. Plant 12–18" apart.
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Kale: Lacinato, OP
Heirloom Italian variety is a gorgeous, striking plant with delicious dark blue-green leaves. 24–36" tall. Plant 18–24" apart.
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Kale: Mars Landing, OP
Beautiful leaves in bronzy maroon color with scalloped edges. Stays tender, holds well. 24–30" tall. Plant 12–18" apart.
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Kale: Premier Blend, OP
You'll get a beautiful variety of colors, textures, sizes and flavors with this special five kale blend (Dwarf Blue Curled, Improved Dwarf Siberian, Lacinato, Premier, and Red Russian). 24–30" tall. Plant 12–18" apart.
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Kale: Tronchuda Beira, Hybrid
Portuguese variety. Paddle-shaped, deep green leaves with mild, rich flavor. 24–30" tall. Plant 12–18" apart.
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Kohlrabi: Kohlibri, Hybrid
Beautiful purple bulbs look like alien vegetables. The white flesh inside is sweet and juicy. Can be eaten raw or cooked. 8–10" tall. Plant 4–6" apart.
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Leek: Carentan, OP
Long, thick leek grows strong and vigorously, with a delicate and delicious flavor. Up to 2 inches across. An old European heirloom variety. 18–24" tall. Separate the individual seedlings and plant them 4–6" apart in trenches. Gradually fill in the trench as they grow to promote a long, blanched stalk. When leeks are planted early enough in the fall, they will start to size up in early winter, so can be harvested all winter long.
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Leek: Giant Musselburgh , OP
Thick stalks grow 2–3 inches across. Heirloom Scottish variety, mild flavor, very cold tolerant. 18–24" tall. Separate the individual seedlings and plant them 4–6" apart in trenches. Gradually fill in the trench as they grow to promote a long, blanched stalk. When leeks are planted early enough in the fall, they will start to size up in early winter, so can be harvested all winter long.
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Leek: Tadorna, OP
Vigorous leek, thick, medium-length shank, holds well in the field. Moderate leaf disease resistance. 18–24" tall. Separate the individual seedlings and plant them 4–6" apart in trenches. Gradually fill in the trench as they grow to promote a long, blanched stalk. When leeks are planted early enough in the fall, they will start to size up in early winter, so can be harvested all winter long.
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Leek: Zermatt, OP
Swiss Giant type, early maturing, long shanks. Also excellent planted closely for baby leeks. 18–24" tall. Separate the individual seedlings and plant them 4–6" apart in trenches. Gradually fill in the trench as they grow to promote a long, blanched stalk. When leeks are planted early enough in the fall, they will start to size up in early winter, so can be harvested all winter long.
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Lettuce: Buttercrunch, OP
Loose butterheads with sweet, crisp, thick, delicious leaves. 5–7" tall. Plant 8–10" apart.
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Lettuce: Coastal Star Romaine, OP
Heavy, tall, dark green heads. Heat tolerant. Good, sweet flavor. Corky root resistant. 10–12" tall. Plant 6" apart.
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Lettuce: Gourmet Baby Mixed, OP
Delicious blend of gourmet lettuces. Plant closely (2–4") for cut and come again harvesting or space apart 8–10" for heads.
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Lettuce: Italian Salad Mix, OP
Tangy chicories and endives mixed with mild red and green lettuces. Plant closely (2–4") for cut and come again harvesting
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Lettuce: Muir, Crisphead OP
Large, heavy, light green heads. Crisp leaves with excellent flavor. Heat tolerant. 6–8" tall. Plant 10–12" apart.
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Lettuce: Reine des Glaces, OP
Crisp emerald green leaves with lacy edges enclose a juicy light green heart of these crispheads. Beautiful and delicious. 6–8" tall. Plant 10–12" apart.
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Lettuce: Salad Bowl Blend, OP
Sweet red and green oak leaf lettuces make a delicious heat tolerant blend. Plant closely (2–4") for cut and come again harvesting or space apart 8–10" for heads.
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Lettuce: Skyphos Red, OP
Large, dark red butterhead with green centers. Resistant to downy mildew and mosaic virus. 6–8" tall. Plant 10–12" apart.
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Lettuce: Summer Bibb, Butterhead OP
Loose heads with sweet, crisp, thick, delicious leaves. Heat tolerant. 5–7" tall. Plant 8–10" apart.
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Mustard: Komatsuna OP
Also called Mustard Spinach. Mild, sweet flavor, good in salads or cooking. Plant closely for baby greens or up to 10" apart.
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Mustard: Mixed
Tasty and ornamental mix of mustards (such as Spicy Green, Ruby Streaks, Red Giant, and Mizuna). 12–15" tall. Plant 6–12" apart.
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Peas: Little Marvel (shelling), OP
Heavy yields of fine-flavored peas on vigorous plants. Heirloom variety. Best on a short trellis. 3–4' tall. Plant 4" apart.
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Peas: Mammoth Melting Sugar (snow pea), OP
Heirloom variety with sweet 4–5" long flat pods are borne on vigorous vines. 4–5' tall. Plant 3–4" apart.
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Peas: Super Sugar Snap, OP
Vigorous vines yield heavy crop of delicious, edible-podded sugar snap peas. Healthy and mildew resistant. Thick, juicy pods are great raw or cooked. 5–6' tall. Plant 3–4" apart.
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Spinach: Oriental Giant, Hybrid
Giant arrowhead-shaped leaves are sweet and crisp, on long stems held high off the ground. Vigorous plants will produce all winter long. 18–24" tall. Plant 8–10" apart.
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Spinach: Summer Perfection, Hybrid
New Dutch variety is heat tolerant for a long harvest period. Upright green leaves are crunchy and sweet. 4–6" tall. Plant 5–6" apart.
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Turnip: Scarlet Ohno Revival, OP
Smooth scarlet turnips in rounded to flattened shape. Glossy green leaves have pink to red stems. 10–12" tall. Plant 2–4" apart.
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Turnip: White Hakurei, Hybrid
Smooth, crisp white turnips, excellent for eating raw or lightly cooked. Greens are smooth and tender. Best harvested young, at 2" or smaller. Plant 2" apart.
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