Cold Crop Vegetables You Can Plant Early in the Season

Start Your Garden Before Summer Arrives

One of the best ways to get a jump start on your garden is by planting cold crop vegetables. These hardy vegetables thrive in cooler temperatures and can often be planted weeks before the last frost.

At Dottie’s Greenhouse & Nursery, we carry a variety of cold-hardy vegetable plants and seeds that are perfect for early spring gardening in York County, Pennsylvania (Zone 7b).

Cold crops not only tolerate cooler weather — many actually grow better in it, producing sweeter and more tender harvests.

What Are Cold Crop Vegetables?

Cold crop vegetables (sometimes called cool-season crops) are plants that grow best in cool temperatures between 40°F and 70°F.

They can handle light frost and often struggle once summer heat arrives.

These vegetables are ideal for:

• Early spring planting

• Fall gardens

• Raised beds and garden plots

• Container gardening

Popular Cold Crop Vegetables to Plant

Lettuce

Lettuce is one of the easiest early vegetables to grow. It grows quickly and thrives in cooler weather.

Types include:

• Romaine

• Butterhead

• Leaf lettuce

• Iceberg

Lettuce can often be harvested in 30–45 days.

Spinach

Spinach is extremely cold tolerant and can survive light frost.

Benefits:

• Fast growing

• Nutrient-rich leafy green

• Great for salads and cooking

Spinach prefers cool temperatures and partial sun.

Peas

Peas are a classic early-season crop.

Common varieties include:

• Snap peas

• Snow peas

• Shelling peas

Peas prefer cool soil and air temperatures and should be planted early in the season for best results.

Broccoli

Broccoli grows best in cool weather and produces large nutritious heads.

Tips for growing broccoli:

• Plant early in spring

• Provide consistent watering

• Harvest before extreme heat

Cabbage

Cabbage is a hardy vegetable that performs well in cooler climates.

It is great for:

• Fresh salads

• Coleslaw

• Cooking and fermentation

Cabbage plants can tolerate frost and continue growing in cool conditions.

Kale

Kale is one of the most cold-hardy vegetables available.

In fact, cold weather often makes kale taste sweeter.

Kale is perfect for:

• Smoothies

• Salads

• Cooking

Tips for Growing Cold Crops Successfully

Start Early

Many cold crops can be planted 4–6 weeks before the last frost date.

Improve Your Soil

Healthy soil with compost or organic fertilizer will help plants establish strong roots.

Protect from Extreme Cold

If temperatures drop unexpectedly, using row covers or cold frames can help protect young plants.

Plant in Successions

Plant new seeds every couple weeks to enjoy continuous harvests throughout the spring.

Visit Dottie’s Greenhouse & Nursery

The best way to start your garden is with healthy plants and quality seeds.

At Dottie’s Greenhouse & Nursery, you’ll find everything you need to start your early garden including:

• Cold crop vegetable plants

• Vegetable seeds

• Seed starting supplies

• Raised bed soil

• Organic fertilizers

Our team is happy to help you choose the right plants for your garden and give advice for growing success.

Start Your Garden Early This Season

Visit Dottie’s Greenhouse & Nursery and get growing today.