#200 Cool Weather Vegetable Gardening
Embrace the Cooler Months with Delicious Produce
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Southern Nevada. Arizona and Southern Utah’s desert climate allows you to enjoy the wonders of vegetable gardening throughout the year. Fall is a fantastic time to plant cool-season vegetables, offering a delightful surprise to new gardeners with the variety and quality of fresh produce possible during this period.
◊ ESSENTIAL STEPS FOR SUCCESS
◊ PLANTING BY SEASON
◊ DISCOVER A WORLD OF COOL-SEASON VEGETABLES
ESSENTIAL STEPS FOR SUCCESS
Conquering Clay and Caliche: Raised beds are the answer! They offer improved drainage, and better soil quality, and allow customization for specific plants. Fill your beds with Dr. Q’s Vegetable and Herb Planting Mix, specifically formulated for direct planting of tender vegetable starters or seeds. This mix provides essential nutrients, improved aeration, and optimal moisture retention. You can also use a 50/50 mix of native soil and organic material like Dr. Q’s Paydirt™ Planting Mix.
Location, Location, Location: Choose a well-ventilated spot with good air circulation. Avoid excessively windy areas or south/west-facing walls that radiate heat.
Feed Your Plants Right: Use the right fertilizer for your chosen vegetables. Leafy greens need more nitrogen while fruiting vegetables like peppers and tomatoes require less nitrogen and more phosphorus and potassium. Our Star Nursery associates can help you select the perfect fertilizer.
Amending Existing Beds: Add fresh organic material and Dr. Q’s® Organic Star Dust Starter Fertilizer (as per package instructions) before replanting.
Mulch Magic: Suppress weeds, conserve water, and cool plant roots with a generous layer of surface mulch like shredded cedar bark, which also helps repel insects.
Natural Pest Control: Most pests can be controlled by hand-picking or using a strong spray of water. For persistent pests like caterpillars and hornworms, consider using Monterey BT Worm Killer® containing bacillus thuringensis (BT). Always be conservative when applying any chemicals and follow label directions carefully.
With raised beds, Dr. Q’s Vegetable and Herb Planting Mix, and these essential steps, you’ll be well on your way to a successful and bountiful desert vegetable garden!
PLANTING BY SEASON
Cool-Season Delights:
Most cool-season vegetables tolerate some frost but be prepared to protect young plants from cold snaps and strong winds if necessary.
Starting Seedlings: Plan ahead if you intend to start your own seedlings instead of using transplants. Factor in a 6-10 week lead time depending on the variety. For instance, early broccoli started indoors in mid-August would be ready for transplanting in October.
Planting Dates: These are approximate and depend on the weather. Refer to the specific vegetable listings for detailed planting times.
DISCOVER A WORLD OF COOL-SEASON VEGETABLES:
The following is a list of popular cool-season vegetables that thrive in our desert southwest climate. These varieties generally prefer the cooler days of fall, winter, and early spring to produce their best crops. Some planting dates can be extended by using hybrid varieties.
- Beets (Dec through Jan – seed): Prefer sandy soil. Plant regularly for a long harvest season. Harvest young for the best flavor.
- Broccoli (Sep – seed; Oct thru Feb – transplants): Easy to grow, with side shoots continuing to produce after the main head is harvested. Recovers well from cold weather.
- Brussels Sprouts (Sep – seed; Oct – transplants): Larger plants that prefer good drainage. Pick cabbage-like heads when smaller than a golf ball. A single plant can yield a significant number of sprouts.
- Cabbage & Kale (Sep to Nov – seed and transplants): Both edible and ornamental varieties are available. Rotate your planting location each year to avoid pest buildup.
- Carrots (Sep.; Feb to May – seed): Choose short varieties unless you have excellent deep soil. Plant often for fresh harvests and enjoy them young for the best flavor.
- Cauliflower (Late July – seed; Feb, Oct – transplants): Similar to broccoli. Use large leaves to cover the developing head to keep it white.
- Collards & Mustard (All year – seed/transplants): Choose “hot weather” varieties if available.
- Lettuce (All year – seed/transplants): Leaf lettuce varieties can be grown year-round. Head lettuce thrives in cooler weather and requires more attention.
- Onions, Dry (Oct to Mar – seed or sets): Thin early and harvest the following year after the tops wither.
- Onions, Green (Sep to June – seed or sets): Easy to grow from sets; plant regularly for a continuous supply of young, sweet onions.
- Peas (Nov; Feb – seed): Bush varieties are easier to manage. Try snap and sugar pea hybrids and choose heat-resistant varieties if available. Prefer rich, well-drained soil.
- Radish (All Year – seed): Gets pithy and hot fast, especially in poor soil. Plant small amounts frequently for a regular supply. Enrich the soil for sweeter, milder radishes.
- Spinach (Sep to Oct; Feb—seed): Thin plants to 6 inches apart. Feed once during the season. Cut off at ground level to harvest, avoiding the extra grit that comes from pulling up the whole plant.
- Tomato (Aug to Sep—transplants): Made possible by long desert growing season. Plant fast-developing varieties like Early Girl for late fall crop. May need to harvest green in late October or early November to prevent frost damage. Wrap in paper and store at room temperature. They will keep through most of the winter. Place them in the kitchen window when you want them—they’ll ripen in a few days.
- Turnips & Rutabagas (Aug to Oct; Feb—seed): Grow turnips for a relatively quick crop; rutabagas if you want to store them. Both have tasty greens that can be sparingly harvested without hurting the developing bulb.