Plant Now for a Cool Season Bounty

By Danielle Webb 07/08/2026 3 min read 30 views

Gardening is a year-round activity, but certain tasks must be done at specific times, like planting for the forthcoming seasons. Connie Cao, an urban permaculture gardener and author, shares her top tips for cool season planting and her favorite seedlings to plant now.

When shopping for seedlings, look for plants with healthy leaves and strong stems, free of pest or disease damage. Cao recommends choosing medium-sized seedlings for immediate transplant or smaller ones if you plan to wait.

Cool Season Planting Tips

It’s essential to transplant cool season seedlings when temperatures drop to the mid 20s, reducing transplant shock and helping plants get off to a strong start. Cao also advises against buying larger seedlings, as they may have crowded roots and be stressed.

These plants are perfect for the cool season and can be grown in containers or raised beds.

Top 5 Seedlings to Plant Now

Salad lovers can pick up mixed seedling punnets containing lettuce, baby spinach, rocket, and mizuna. These leafy greens don’t require much space and can be transplanted 15cm apart. Cao likes growing them in raised beds and containers for easy harvesting.

Coriander is another favorite, with its citrusy flavor perfect for garnishing dishes. When buying coriander seedlings, look for clumps, as they do best when plants can support each other. Place a few pots by your door for a continuous harvest.

Fresh parsley is crisp, flavorful, and easy to grow. Cao recommends choosing a larger pot with a few seedlings, as parsley grows abundantly. Towards the end of the season, let the flowers set seed for new plants to pop up in the garden.

Bok choy is a leafy stir-fry staple that can be grown in a sunny spot or in a trough on your balcony. Expect your first harvests within 4-6 weeks of transplanting. Snow peas are also a great choice, doing well in containers and not being fussy about soil fertility.

Snow peas have fragile, fast-growing stems, so Cao recommends picking up smaller sized plants, especially if you’re not ready to transplant them immediately. Look for bush varieties for plants under one meter or climbing varieties for growing over a trellis.

Getting the Most from Your Seedlings

To ensure a successful harvest, it’s essential to provide your seedlings with the right conditions. Cao advises transplanting seedlings when the weather is cooler, as this helps reduce stress and promotes healthy growth.

By following these tips and planting the right seedlings, you can enjoy a bountiful cool season harvest.

As you plan your cool season garden, consider the potential benefits of using companion planting to improve growth and reduce pests. This technique can help create a balanced and thriving garden ecosystem.

In the midst of planning and planting, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the upcoming harvest. However, it’s essential to remember that gardening is a process, and patience is key. By taking the time to properly care for your seedlings and provide them with the right conditions, you’ll be rewarded with a plentiful and delicious harvest.