Monthly Tip

 Cool season vegetables include many greens (spinach,  arugula, cabbage, collards), root vegetables (carrots, beets, radishes, turnips), and cole crops (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kohlrabi). Cilantro and peas also do well in the fall when it is a little cooler. 

If starting from seed, August is the time to start seedlings for fall vegetables. Broccoli, cauliflower, beets, and fennel will take about 6 weeks to grow to transplant size. Greens such as lettuce, spinach,  arugula, chard, and kale will be ready in 4 weeks. So for planting in mid-to-late September, aim to start them in early to mid-August. You can direct seed them on the ground if you have the space. The soil should still be warm enough for seeds to germinate but shade them from the hottest afternoon sun, and keep the seeds moist.

If buying transplants from a nursery, you can wait until September. In Santa Clara County, many of the cool season crops that are planted in September or October can be planted again in February and March. You can get in another crop before it's time to put summer vegetables in the ground. 

A big advantage of cool season vegetables is that they need less supplemental water due to lower temperatures, fewer daylight hours, and rain. There are also fewer pest problems in the winter. Cool season vegetables grow well in temperatures ranging from 55°F to 75°F, at locations with 6–8 hours daily of sun.