Plant Education Kit
Explore the vibrant plants included in your winter subscription — perfect for cold-weather recipes.
Learn how each variety thrives in the cold and how to place them in your garden for a productive growing season.
Click HERE to Download a garden layout for your medium veggie garden for layout examples.
The Plants
Purple Magic Broccoli
Plant to Harvest:
70–90 días
Space Needed:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Cover with low tunnels or frost cloth to protect from frost; keep harvesting side shoots.
Cauliflower
Plant to harvest:
75–90 days
Space Needed:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Prefers steady cool weather. Use floating row covers to guard against hard freezes.
Marigold
Plant to harvest:
50–60 days
Space Needed:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Start indoors or protect with tunnels; tolerates mild cold but not hard frost.
Roma Tomato
Plant to harvest:
70–85 days
Space Needed:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Not frost-tolerant. Only viable in winter with a heated greenhouse or tall tunnel.
Bell Pepper
Plant to harvest:
70–90 days
Space Needed:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Needs warmth. Only suitable in winter inside heated tunnels or greenhouses.
Brussels Sprouts
Plant to harvest:
90–100 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Excellent for winter. Tolerates frost well. Use stakes to support tall plants.
Baby Broccoli
Plant to harvest:
55–65 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Prefers cool seasons. Cover with frost cloth if frost is expected.
Red Russian Kale
Plant to harvest:
50–65 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Extremely cold-hardy. Flavor improves with light frost.
Butter Lettuce
Plant to harvest:
45–55 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Grow in raised beds and cover with plastic during frosts. Grows best between 40–60°F (5–15°C).
Freckle Lettuce
Plant to harvest:
45–55 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Cover with clear plastic at night below freezing; needs moist, well-drained soil.
Tuscan Kale
Plant to harvest:
60–75 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Improves flavor after light frosts. Great for winter growing with minimal protection.
Red Lettuce
Plant to harvest:
45–60 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Cold-tolerant, but use row covers during extreme freezes.
Charleston Wakefield Cabbage
Plant to harvest:
65–75 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Start in early fall. Use row tunnels to ensure heads form before hard frosts.
Red Express Cabbage
Plant to harvest:
63–75 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Great winter performer. Protect from prolonged freezing.
Endive
Plant to harvest:
50–90 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Tolerates cold well. Use straw or mulch to prevent soil from freezing.
Celery
Plant to harvest:
100–130 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Start early in fall; use thermal cover and deep mulch to insulate roots.
Bunching Onion
Plant to harvest:
60–70 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Very cold-tolerant. Plant densely in rows, cover with mulch to retain warmth.
Sage
Plant to harvest:
75–90 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Hardy perennial. Mulch the base well to protect roots from deep freeze.
Armenian Cucumber
Plant to Harvest:
50–60 days
Space Needed:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Armenian cucumbers are excellent for hot, dry climates due to their heat tolerance and ability to thrive in high
temperatures. They grow best with supporting structures and they are vining plants.
Malabar Spinach
Plant to Harvest:
50–70 days
Space Needed:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Unlike traditional spinach, which struggles in the heat, Malabar Spinach thrives in the warm conditions. This plant
prefers hot weather and will not bolt like regular spinach. Regular pruning encourages bushier growth.
Black-Eyed Pea
Plant to harvest:
60–90 days
Space Needed:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Thrives in hot weather and is drought-tolerant. For the best yield, keep the soil consistently moist during
flowering and harvest pods when they are firm but not over-mature.
Jalapeno
Plant to harvest:
70–85 days
Space Needed:
16-24 inches
Tip:
This is a heat tolerant jalapeno variety. More sun and warmth make spicier peppers. Harvest when dark green for a
mild flavor or red for sweetness.
Green String Bean - Contender Bush
Plant to harvest:
50–55 days
Space Needed:
16-24 inches
Tip:
This bush variety is a classic green bean. This plant produces well in warm weather, and should be planted in full
sun. Add a layer of mulch to conserve water in hot months.
Tomato - Rio Grande
Plant to harvest:
75–80 days
Space it needs:
24-36 inches
Tip:
This is a heat-tolerant tomato variety, perfect for hot and tropical weather. Provide strong support as plants grow
to keep fruit off the ground.
Okra
Plant to harvest:
50–65 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Harvest pods when they are 3–4 inches long for the best texture. Regular picking encourages continuous production.
Bunching Onion
Plant to harvest:
50–60 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Can be grown year-round. Harvest at any size depending on preference. Bunching onions (also known as scallions or
green onions) are a fantastic addition to warm weather gardens, especially for gardeners looking for a
low-maintenance, quick-growing crop.
Cantaloupe
Plant to harvest:
75–90 days
Space it needs:
24-36 inches
Tip:
Trellising your cantaloupe in your garden will be the easiest way to prevent the fruit from rotting. If you do not
want to trellis your leons, use a melon cradle to avoid rot and pests on the bottom of your fruits. Needs good air
circulation to prevent powdery mildew. Pick when the fruit easily separates from the vine.
Banana Pepper
Plant to harvest:
70–75 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
This is a heat tolerant banana pepper variety, perfect for tropical hot weather.Pick when yellow for a mild taste or
wait until red for more sweetness. Frequent harvesting increases production.
Luffa
Plant to harvest:
90–120 days
Space it needs:
24-36 inches
Tip:
Requires a strong trellis for best growth. Harvest young for eating or let mature for sponges.
Green Zucchini
Plant to harvest:
50–60 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Harvest when 6–8 inches long for the best flavor and texture. Mulching helps retain moisture and prevents soil from
splashing onto leaves.
Egyptian Spinach
Plant to harvest:
60–70 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Egyptian spinach is highly heat-tolerant and thrives in warm climates. Regular harvesting of the tender leaves will
encourage more growth, so make sure to cut back older leaves to maintain plant health.
Lima Bean
Plant to harvest:
60–90 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Lima beans prefer warm, sunny weather and benefit from well-drained soil. Make sure to provide them with adequate
support if growing pole varieties to ensure they don’t topple over.
Yellow Squash- Crookneck
Plant to harvest:
50–60 days
Space it needs:
24-36 inches
Tip:
Harvest when 4–6 inches long for best texture. Remove old leaves to improve airflow and reduce disease risk.
Thyme
Plant to harvest:
70-90 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Thyme prefers dry, well-draining soil and thrives with minimal watering. Trim regularly to prevent woodiness and to
encourage fresh, tender growth.
Basil
Plant to harvest:
60–90 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Basil thrives in full sun and needs warm temperatures to reach its full flavor potential. Regularly pinch off the
flower buds to prevent the plant from going to seed, ensuring a longer harvest period.
Dwarf Cherry Tomato
Plant to Harvest:
65–75 days
Space Needed:
16-24 inches
Tip:
This tomato plant will stay small, growing to 18-24 inches in height. These compact plants thrive in the heat and
produce small, sweet, and flavorful fruits that mature quickly.
Tomato - Rio Grande
Plant to harvest:
75–80 days
Space it needs:
24-36 inches
Tip:
This is a heat-tolerant tomato variety, perfect for hot and tropical weather. Provide strong support as plants grow
to keep fruit off the ground.
Bell Pepper
Plant to harvest:
60-90 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
This is a heat tolerant bell pepper to prepare for warm summer months. Bell peppers thrive in full sun and require
consistent moisture to prevent stress. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot—let the soil dry slightly
between waterings.
Cucumber - Spacemaster Bush
Plant to harvest:
60 days
Space Needed:
16-24 inches
Tip:
This compact bush variety benefits from a trellis for cleaner fruit. Keep soil consistently moist to prevent
bitterness.
Sugar Snap Pea
Plant to harvest:
50-70 days
Space Needed:
12-16 (or closer) inches
Tip:
Sugar snap peas are a climbing plant, so give them a sturdy trellis to help them reach their full potential. For the
sweetest peas, harvest when the pods are plump but still tender, as they get tough if left too long.
Freckled Lettuce
Plant to harvest:
45-55 days
Space Needed:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Lettuce requires consistent watering to keep the leaves crisp and tender, so avoid letting the soil dry out. For a
continual harvest, trim the outer leaves regularly, allowing the inner leaves to grow and stay fresh longer.
Butter Lettuce
Plant to harvest:
45-55 days
Space Needed:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Lettuce requires consistent watering to keep the leaves crisp and tender, so avoid letting the soil dry out. For a
continual harvest, trim the outer leaves regularly, allowing the inner leaves to grow and stay fresh longer.
Eggplant
Plant to harvest:
70–85 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
This is a heat tolerant jalapeno variety. More sun and warmth make spicier peppers. Harvest when dark green for a
mild flavor or red for sweetness.
Green Zucchini
Plant to harvest:
50–60 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Harvest when 6–8 inches long for the best flavor and texture. Mulching helps retain moisture and prevents soil from
splashing onto leaves.
Green String Bean- Contender Bush
Plant to harvest:
50–55 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
This bush variety is a classic green bean. This plant produces well in warm weather, and should be planted in full
sun. Add a layer of mulch to conserve water in hot months.
Yellow Zucchini
Plant to harvest:
55–60 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
This is a bush bean variety, and fixes nitrogen in the soil to support neighboring plants. Unlike typical green
beans, Roma II beans are flat-podded and have a rich, nutty flavor that holds up well in cooking.
Serrano Pepper
Plant to harvest:
75-85 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Serrano peppers are hotter than jalapeños and offer a crisp, clean heat. Stake the plant if the branches become
heavy with peppers.
Alpine Berries
Plant to harvest:
60-90 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Alpine strawberries thrive in hydroponic systems, offering a steady harvest of delicious, sweet berries throughout
the growing season. To achieve the best flavor, ensure they receive ample light. To ensure a great harvest, you may
need to hand-pollinate the flowers since these plants rely on wind or insects for pollination in outdoor
environments.
Dill
Plant to harvest:
70–85 days
Space it needs:
24-36 inches
Tip:
Small watermelons typically grow to about 5–10 pounds in weight. These plants are often referred to as mini or
personal-sized watermelons, and thrive in hot weather and love full sun.
Spinach
Plant to harvest:
40-50 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Spinach loves to grow fast, so keep it well-watered and watch those vibrant leaves pop up! For the tastiest harvest,
pick the outer leaves first and leave the center to keep producing fresh, tender greens all season long.
Red Yard Long Bean
Plant to harvest:
60-90 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
This is a pole bean variety that requires relissing to grow. It produces long, slender, deep-red pods that can reach
up to 18 inches long. It is also sometimes called the yardlong bean or chinese red noodle bean.
Cilantro
Plant to harvest:
45-70 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Cilantro bolts quickly in warm weather, so plant in partial shade or use succession planting every 2-3 weeks for
continuous harvests. Trim outer leaves frequently to encourage bushier growth and prevent early flowering.
Arugula
Plant to Harvest:
30–40 days
Space Needed:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Fast-growing and frost-tolerant, arugula thrives in cold. Grow under row covers for a steady winter harvest.
Baby Broccoli
Plant to Harvest:
60–80 days
Space Needed:
16-24inches
Tip:
This tomato plant will stay small, growing to 18-24 inches in height. These compact plants thrive in the heat and
produce small, sweet, and flavorful fruits that mature quickly.
Bok Choy
Plant to harvest:
45–60 days
Space Needed:
12-16 inches
Tip:
This compact bush variety benefits from a trellis for cleaner fruit. Keep soil consistently moist to prevent
bitterness.
Brussel Sprouts
Plant to harvest:
90–120 days
Space Needed:
16-24 inches
Tip:
This is a heat-tolerant tomato variety, perfect for hot and tropical weather. Provide strong support as plants grow
to keep fruit off the ground.
Bunching Onion
Plant to harvest:
60–80 days
Space Needed:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Eggplants thrive in full sun and benefit from a steady supply of water. Use a mulch around the base of the plant to
help retain moisture and keep weeds at bay.
Butter Lettuce
Plant to harvest:
55–75 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Needs protection from hard freezes. Grow under cold frames for sweet, tender heads during winter.
Cauliflower
Plant to harvest:
75–100 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Kale thrives in the cooler days of fall. Frost enhances the flavor and texture, making it ideal for late-season
harvests.
Collard Greens
Plant to harvest:
60–85 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
This sun-loving plant prefers heat, so it’s best to grow tomatillos early in the fall and harvest before nights get
cold.
Jack B Little Mini Pumpkin
Plant to harvest:
95–110 days
Space it needs:
24-36 inches
Tip:
Unlike cool-weather greens, Malabar Spinach thrives in warm fall conditions. Harvest regularly and provide trellis
support for vertical growth.
Mustard
Plant to harvest:
40–60 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Mustard greens grow fast and taste best in cooler weather. Plant in early fall for tender, mildly spicy leaves that
resist bolting.
Purple Magic Broccoli
Plant to harvest:
70–90 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Withstands frost. Grow in full sun and harvest when heads are firm. Cold brings out deeper color and sweeter flavor.
Red Express Cabbage
Plant to harvest:
63–76 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Compact and quick, ideal for tight spaces in winter gardens. Frost boosts flavor.
Swiss Chard – Bright Lights
Plant to harvest:
50–65 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Slow but steady grower in winter. Colorful stems tolerate cold if mulched and protected. Harvest outer leaves first.
Tuscan Kale
Plant to harvest:
60–75 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Winter-hardy and productive. Frost enhances flavor. Ideal for harvesting through light snow or cold rain.
Garden Layout
Get ready to transform your space into a vibrant veggie haven! We’ve put together a simple yet effective garden layout that will help you maximize your area and grow a variety of fresh, delicious vegetables. Whether you have a small yard or just a balcony, this layout is designed to make gardening easy and enjoyable for everyone. Let’s dive into your gardening journey!
