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Hello Reader,
Before I knew about cool season crops, I'd wait patiently to plant until my USDA hardiness zone gave me the green light. In Madison, Wisconsin that is not until May 15th. Yet, my neighbors were already harvesting radishes and lettuce for the first salads of the year before I started to grow anything. Certain kitchen garden crops are able to handle cold and light frost, and these are referred to as cool season crops.
Tomatoes and peppers tend to be the poster children of the veggie patch. This is not an unfair association, as home grown tomatoes are incredibly more flavorful than store bought produce, which is usually picked green and ripened with ethylene. However, cool season plants like lettuce, radishes, and broccoli can help break you out of a seasonal winter depression with the taste of fresh garden greens.
An early harvest of French Breakfast Radishes.
What Exactly is a Cool Season Crop?
These plants do well in lower temperatures, and can be planted before the risk of frost has passed. They fall into a few categories below:
Leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, and arugula
Brassicas such as broccoli, cabbage, and kale
Root crops including carrots, radishes, and beets
Alliums like onions and scallions
As a side note, I am currently reading Barbara Damrosch’s work A Life In The Garden, and she offhandedly mentioned that Arugula with its slight mustard bite is considered by some to be an aphrodisiac. That’s an entertaining scenario to think through. “Hey babe, can you harvest some Arugula from the garden? Just a light salad before our Tuesday evening tantric massage session.”
Planting Early
Spring planting with these crops can begin as soon as the soil is workable, with a few caveats.
Here is what to look for:
Soil is no longer waterlogged
It crumbles easily in your hand
You can form a loose ball that breaks apart
Air temperature matters less than soil condition and these crops can go in earlier than most people expect. If you have a big frost coming, you can always cover your plants or utilize a cold frame.
Plants growing under row covers in early spring.
Reliability of Cool Season Crops
Spring weather is unpredictable. This in itself is an understatement here in Wisconsin. I’ve already had a barrage of hail and a slew of Tornado warnings before the end of April.
These plants offer a few key advantages in Spring:
They tolerate light frosts with minimal damage
They establish quickly in cool soil, compared to crops that don’t germinate in cold.
They are less likely to fail completely due to weather swings
Warm season crops are great once it’s hot enough to yearn for sweater weather, but they can be wiped out completely in a cold spell.
Planting Density
These tasty plants can usually be planted a bit closer together, compared to a sprawling tomato, squash, or watermelon.
A few practical approaches:
Harvest outer leaves from lettuce instead of pulling whole plants
Sow greens thickly as thinning plants will yield young greens for early salads
Tuck quick crops like radishes between slower growers
Planting densely can increase yield, while also keeping soil healthy and reducing weeds.
Spring Pests
Pests are not a huge nuisance yet, but some early observation can help you stay ahead of any developing issues.
Watch for:
Flea beetles on greens
Cabbage worms on brassicas
Aphids on tender growth
You can use a lightweight row cover to protect crops, and make sure your kitchen garden is protected from the new baby bunnies abounding in your neighborhood.
The Joy of the Cool Season
Early spring is a great opportunity to get a head start growing some healthy food for you and your family. Gardening is typically a game of patience, but in this case the vegetable garden favors the bold. It’s an opportunity to harvest weeks earlier than other gardeners and supplement your diet with fresh spring greens.
Most people wait until summer to start gardening, but when you live in a region with a short growing season, cool season crops are a must.
Field Notes:
I’ve planted some lettuce, radishes, beets, and carrots in the new vegetable garden. The soil is pretty rough and needs some organic matter added. I’m keeping an eye on the baby bunnies who took up residence in the neighbors shed, and should patch a few holes in the fence. The carrots like a consistent moisture during germination, which means a daily trip to the vegetable patch with a watering can.
There’s two yews in our front bed that were hit pretty rough by winter burn this year. I’m considering replacing them. Perhaps a Serviceberry? The back half of the bed does not get any rain, so it should be drought tolerant or have spreading roots. Eastern/ morning sun exposure in Madison, WI. Do you have any ideas for me? (Just hit reply)
Front bed that was planted last spring. Waiting for the green meatballs to grow. Currently a mix of Ninebark, Alliums, Yew, Spirea, Prairie Dropseed, Tulips, and Daffodils.
Plotter’s Commons:
Have you started growing anything yet in your kitchen garden?
Bulletin Board
It’s definitely Spring now, and that includes the Spring homebuying market. Today I wanted to share Dayna’s information in case you are looking for a house in Madison. She’ll help you find the perfect spot for your future garden (house included!) She helped Matt and I find our house, and kept it fun along the way!
Dayna Faye | Madison Real Estate
Hi, I'm Dayna — a Madison-based real estate agent who loves this city as much as you do. Whether you're planting roots in a new neighborhood or ready to move on to your next chapter, I'm here to make the process feel clear, personal, and maybe even a little fun. I specialize in helping buyers and sellers navigate the Madison market with honesty and heart.
Grab my free Spring Madison Home Guide— packed with hyperlocal tips on the Madison market, what's happening in neighborhoods across the city, and how to make the most of the season whether you're buying, selling, or just curious.
YouTube: @DaynaFaye
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Until next Thursday,
Ken Welch
Ken Welch is a garden writer with a very serious degree in Horticulture. When his city lacked a community garden, he helped build one. He teaches new gardeners how to grow their own food.
Cibus Est Imperium | Food is Power