Friday, September 25, 2026

Growing Cool Season Vegetables

In today’s podcast, we talk with two nurserypeople who know their cool season veggies: Don Shor, owner of Redwood Barn Nursery in Davis, CA; and professional horticultural consultant and Master Gardener Quentyn Young. They offer tips for both the usual and the unusual food crops to grow during the cooler weather. Among their advice: • Start now. In the mild-winter parts of the country (zones 8 and 9, much of the West Coast, the Southwest and the South), September through November is prime planting time for cool season crops. The summer garden doesn’t have to be finished before you get broccoli and cabbage in the ground. • Shop your local independent nursery. They stock varieties that are proven for your area, and they know when those plants should go in. • Beginners should use transplants. Starting from seed takes much longer, and a first-timer gets quicker results from healthy young plants. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gardenbasics.substack.com/subscribe (https://gardenbasics.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)