Cool Weather Vegetable Planting

Growing Cabbage, Broccoli & Lettuce

Cool-season vegetables like cabbage, broccoli and lettuce are easy to grow and produce delicious, nutritious harvests. With proper spacing, watering and timing, these crops can thrive in home gardens.

Growing Cabbage

Cabbage is a hardy vegetable that can be started from seed or transplants. Late-season cabbage is often planted in mid-summer so it can mature during the cooler weather of fall. If starting seeds in summer, provide some shade to protect young plants from intense heat.

Space cabbage plants 18 to 24 inches apart to allow heads to fully develop. Fertilize with a nitrogen fertilizer when planting and again when plants are about halfway grown. Cabbage is ready to harvest when the heads feel firm when gently squeezed. Be sure to harvest before heads split, as splitting can attract pests and disease.

Growing Broccoli

Broccoli is a popular and easy-to-grow vegetable that does well with about five hours of sunlight each day. Plant broccoli at least 18 inches apart so the heads can grow to full size. Warm weather and poorly drained soil can reduce growth, but mulching can help keep roots cool.

Broccoli benefits from fertilizer at planting time and again every four weeks. Harvest the main head when it reaches about five inches wide and before the buds begin to flower. After harvesting the main head, smaller side shoots will develop and can be picked for several more weeks.

Growing Lettuce

Lettuce is a fast-growing cool-weather crop that includes both head and leaf varieties. It grows best in loose, rich, well-drained soil. Lettuce seeds need light to germinate, so plant them very shallow, about 1/8 inch deep or lightly cover them with soil.

Thin seedlings to about 8 inches apart once they emerge. Leaf lettuce can be harvested by picking outer leaves as needed, allowing the plant to continue growing. Head lettuce should be harvested once heads are firm by cutting them at ground level. Store lettuce in sealed plastic bags in the refrigerator to keep it fresh and crisp.

Always follow directions on seed packets or plant tags for the best results with your specific variety.