Rectangle Garden Bed
Explore the vibrant plants included in your Rectangle Garden Bed.
Learn how each variety thrives in the cold and how to place them in your garden for a productive growing season.
Some of the following plants may be substituted for others. Possible replacements include Oregano, Mexican Tarragon, Thyme, Parsley, Cilantro, and Epazote. Substitutions may occur due to shortages, unsuccessful germination, or animal damage. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Happy gardening!
Substitute PlantsThe 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.
Seminole Pumpkin
Plant to Harvest:
90-120 days
Space Needed:
24-36 inches
Tip:
Give each plant plenty of room to sprawl—Seminole pumpkins are vigorous growers and can spread 10–20 feet. If space
is tight, train the vines vertically on a strong trellis, and support developing pumpkins with slings made from
cloth or mesh to prevent breakage.
Okra
Plant to harvest:
50-65 days
Space Needed:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Harvest pods when they are 3–4 inches long for the best texture. Regular picking encourages continuous production.
Mini Pumpkin
Plant to harvest:
90-120 days
Space Needed:
24-36 inches
Tip:
Give each plant plenty of room to sprawl—Seminole pumpkins are vigorous growers and can spread 10–20 feet. If space
is tight, train the vines vertically on a strong trellis, and support developing pumpkins with slings made from
cloth or mesh to prevent breakage.
Lemon Basil
Plant to harvest:
60–90 days
Space Needed:
12-16 inches
Tip:
This basil variety adds a citrusy punch to dishes and is loved in both Thai and Italian cuisine. For the best
flavor, harvest just before it flowers.
Bright Lights Swiss Chard
Plant to harvest:
50–60 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
This variety will turn lots of shades from pinks to yellows and more. Can be harvested leaf by leaf for a continuous
supply. Tolerates both heat and cold
Black-eyed Pea
Plant to harvest:
60–90 days
Space it needs:
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.
Celery
Plant to harvest:
120-150 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Celery is a water-loving plant and one of the most water-intensive vegetables to grow. Keep the soil consistently
moist and nutrient-rich for best results.
Purple Magic Broccoli
Plant to Harvest:
70–90 days
Space Needed:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Cool weather helps tighten heads and sweeten flavor. Start early in fall and cover young transplants if temps drop
quickly.
Cauliflower
Plant to Harvest:
75–100 days
Space Needed:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Sensitive to heat and cold swings. In fall, use shade cloth early and row covers later. Tie outer leaves to blanch
heads.
Lettuce – Prince
Plant to harvest:
50–60 days
Space Needed:
12-16 inches
Tip:
This butterhead type grows best in cool soil. Direct sow in early fall and water consistently to avoid bitterness.
Armenian Cucumber
Plant to harvest:
60–70 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.
Dwarf Cherry Tomato
Plant to harvest:
55–70 days
Space Needed:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Grows well in fall with full sun and mild weather. Stake well and remove lower leaves to improve airflow as dew
increases.
Bell Pepper
Plant to harvest:
60–90 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Needs consistent warmth. In fall, plant early and use black mulch to retain soil heat. Cover at night if temps fall
below 15°C.
Red Express Cabbage
Plant to harvest:
63–76 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
A fast, compact variety ideal for fall gardens. Cold weather helps form tight, sweet heads. Mulch to retain soil
moisture.
Lemon Basil
Plant to Harvest:
60-90 days
Space Needed:
12-16 inches
Tip:
This basil variety adds a citrusy punch to dishes and is loved in both Thai and Italian cuisine. For the best
flavor, harvest just before it flowers.
Parsley
Plant to Harvest:
70-90 days
Space Needed:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Parsley can be grown in partial shade. Regular harvesting of the outer leaves will keep the plant productive and
prevent it from flowering too soon.
Mexican Tarragon
Plant to harvest:
85 days
Space Needed:
16-34 inches
Tip:
This herb tastes like French tarragon but thrives in heat, making it perfect for warm climates. Deadhead the flowers
regularly to keep the leaves flavorful and tender.
Oregano
Plant to harvest:
80-90 days
Space Needed:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Wild oregano oil is a natural antibacterial.Trim frequently to encourage bushy growth.
Sage
Plant to harvest:
75-85 days
Space Needed:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Sage is a symbol of wisdom and protection in folklore.Let it dry between waterings—it's drought-tolerant.
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Bell Pepper
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Plant to Harvest:
60-90 days
Space Needed:
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.
Tuscan Kale
Plant to harvest:
45-55 days
Space Needed:
12-16 inches
Tip:
This is a hardy variety of kale that performs well in cooler temperatures, making it ideal for fall gardening.
Tuscan kale thrives in well-drained, fertile soil and enjoys full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade as well.
Keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid waterlogging to prevent root diseases. Regular harvesting of the outer
leaves encourages new growth, and the flavor improves after a light frost. Be sure to protect it from extreme cold
if frost is expected for extended periods.
Tomatillo
Plant to harvest:
65-85 days
Space Needed:
24-36 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.
Collard Greens
Plant to harvest:
75-95 days
Space Needed:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Tomatillos need plenty of sun and well-drained soil. In the fall, water them regularly but avoid overwatering. While
they prefer warmth, they can tolerate cooler temperatures. If frost is expected, cover the plants to protect them.
Plant at least two for proper pollination.
Dwarf Cherry Tomato
Plant to harvest:
65–75 days
Space it needs:
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.
Eggplant
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Plant to harvest:
75-90 days
Space it needs:
16-24 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.
Malabar Spinach
Plant to harvest:
50–70 days
Space it needs:
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.
Lemon Basil
Plant to Harvest:
60-90 days
Space Needed:
12-16 inches
Tip:
This basil variety adds a citrusy punch to dishes and is loved in both Thai and Italian cuisine. For the best
flavor, harvest just before it flowers.
Parsley
Plant to Harvest:
70-90 days
Space Needed:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Parsley can be grown in partial shade. Regular harvesting of the outer leaves will keep the plant productive and
prevent it from flowering too soon.
Mexican Tarragon
Plant to harvest:
85 days
Space Needed:
16-34 inches
Tip:
This herb tastes like French tarragon but thrives in heat, making it perfect for warm climates. Deadhead the flowers
regularly to keep the leaves flavorful and tender.
Oregano
Plant to harvest:
80-90 days
Space Needed:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Wild oregano oil is a natural antibacterial.Trim frequently to encourage bushy growth.
Sage
Plant to harvest:
75-85 days
Space Needed:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Sage is a symbol of wisdom and protection in folklore.Let it dry between waterings—it's drought-tolerant.
Rio Grande Tomato
Plant to Harvest:
75-80 days
Space Needed:
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 Needed:
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.
Spacemaster Cucumber
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Peppermint
Plant to harvest:
60–90 days
Space Needed:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Peppermint is hardy and can survive light frost. In winter, grow in pots and bring indoors or mulch heavily
outdoors.
Chamomile
Plant to harvest:
60–80 days
Space Needed:
12-16 inches
Tip:
German chamomile handles cool weather well. In winter, grow in full sun and protect from frost with light cover.
Basil Everleaf
Plant to harvest:
60–75 days
Space Needed:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Basil is frost-sensitive. For winter, grow indoors near a sunny window or under grow lights to ensure steady
harvest.
Thyme
Plant to harvest:
75–90 days
Space Needed:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Extremely cold-hardy. In-ground thyme survives frost with mulch. In pots, bring indoors or shelter during freezing
temps.
Dill
Plant to harvest:
40–60 days
Space Needed:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Prefers cool over hot weather. Can be grown in fall and mild winter; protect young plants from hard frost with row
covers.
