Cool-Season vs. Warm-Season Vegetable Crops

Practical takeaway

Cool-season crops such as peas, spinach, lettuce, kale, broccoli, and cabbage can grow in cooler soil and may tolerate some frost. Warm-season crops such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, beans, and basil are damaged by frost and often stall in cold soil.

Crop class changes how a freeze date is used. Cool crops may be sown or transplanted before the last spring freeze reference. Warm crops are generally scheduled after it. Use the planting calendar to keep the offset visible.

Planning both ends of the season

A fall crop must mature before cold and low light slow growth. Counting back only the packet maturity days can be too optimistic; allow establishment time and consider that late-season days are not equivalent to midsummer days.

Limits

Tolerance varies by cultivar, plant age, acclimation, wind, moisture, and protection. “Cool-season” does not mean immune to every freeze, and “warm-season” does not prove the soil is ready.