Not all veggies prefer warmer weather. There are actually many cool season crops that tend to thrive in the chillier temps of spring and fall.

Many of the most common kinds have edible leaves or roots, like lettuce, carrots and onions. Others produce edible seeds, like peas and certain types of beans. And still other cool weather thrivers are artichokes, broccoli and cauliflower. Most of these can even endure short periods of frost. In fact with a cool-weather vegetable like kale, frost on the leaves can make them even sweeter.

To get a head-start on maturity with many cool season plants, start with young, vigorous plants from Bonnie Plants® (see list below). Most root vegetables (such as carrots and radishes), however, will need to be grown from seed.

These cool-weather plants also grow well in containers, which can make it easier for gardeners, especially if the early-spring ground is still a bit difficult to tend. In fact, plants like lettuce and carrots and peas are excellent vegetables for first-time growers or gardeners with limited space.

Specific Vegetable Varieties to Choose

More specifically, horticulturists tend to break down cool weather vegetables into types, or categories. One such description is "hardy" or "semi-hardy" vegetables. Hardy vegetables can tolerate harder frosts and temperatures in the low 20's. Semi-hardy vegetables will tolerate light frosts and temperatures in the high 20's and low 30's. Here's a partial list of plants within each category:

Hardy vegetables: broccoli*, Brussels sprouts*, cabbage*, collards*, English peas*, kale*, kohlrabi*, leeks*, mustard greens*, radishes*, spinach*, turnips

Semi-hardy vegetables: beets, carrots, cauliflower*, celery*, Chinese cabbage*, endive, Irish potatoes, lettuce*, radicchio, rutabaga*, Swiss chard*

* sold by Bonnie Plants®

Early Spring, a Perfect Planting Time

Yes, it can get cold in early spring--a little frost, a few snowflakes. But that doesn't have to lessen an early harvest. In fact, the cooler temperatures in the spring have fewer pests around to bother gardeners or damage plants.

Whether a novice grower or an experienced gardener, cool crop growing is an enjoyable and bountiful way to extend the season. And that means more meals on your table with fresh, delicious vegetables from your garden.