Varietal Suggestions for Cool Season California Gardens

Artichokes (a perennial)

Green Globe Improved, Violetto

Arugula

... no special varieties....

Beets

Burpee’s Golden, Chiogga, Detroit Dark Red,

Broccoli

Nutribud, DeCicco, Waltham, Calabrese

Brussel Sprouts

Long Island Improved

Cabbage (including Oriental cabbage-like greens)

Glory of Einkhuizen, Copenhagen Market, Mammoth Red,

Carrots

Dragon, Nantes, Paris Market

Cauliflower

Early Snowball

Celery/Celeriac

Large Prague Celeriac,

Chard (the 'Swiss' don’t really grow it.. why do we give them the honor?)

Fordhook Giant, Five Color Silverbeet, Ruby (or Rhubarb Red)

Collards

Vates, Georgia Southern

Cresses

... no special varieties....

Fava Beans

Windsor; Aprovecho (sometimes appended with “Select”)

Florence Fennel (bulbing)

Garlic (this is a long season crop, plant in Fall harvest next Summer)

Chesnok Red, Music, Spanish Roja,

Kale

Dinosaur (Lacinato), Red Russan,

Kohlrabi

... no special varieties....

Leeks

Carina, King Richard

Lettuce

more varieties than you can shake a stick at – or grow a mix!

Onions (also a long season growing; find “short-day” varieties)

Italian Torpedo (! you will love this on the grill!)

Other leafy salad things

Parsley

Flat Leaf, Tripled Curled,

Parsnip

Hollow Crown, Harris Model

Peas

Dwarf Grey Sugar, Green Arrow, Tall Telephone, Mammoth Melting,

Potatoes

All-Blue, Caribe, Yukon Gold, many, many others!

Radishes

French Breakfast, Fluo, Easter Egg, Purple Plum

Salsify

... no special varieties....

Shallots

Spinach

America, Bloomsdale Long Standing, Viroflay

Turnips

Purple White Top, Golden Ball

There are also other vegetables that are not commonly grown you might want to try – I've not tried all of them!

Include all perennial herbs and perennial flowers. In addition, try some fun annuals like calendulas, larkspur, poppies (bread, California or Iceland types), sweet peas, and venidium. Make room for cilantro! Lots of cilantro!!

All of the perennial herb (oregano, thyme, rosemary, mints and so on) are best planted in fall. Ready yourself for fruit tree (and shrub) planting after the first of the year.   

david