We are in zone 5a, and 5b, and we start all our plants inside. We have some varieties that pop up in the garden as springs approach.
This New Zealand spinach is one of the only varieties of perennial spinach. Plant it once and you will have fresh spinach every year. Other varieties that will grow in the cooler weather are onions, garlic, shallots, spring onions, cabbage, corn salad, borage, tarragon, cauliflower, broccoli, lettuce, kale, Brussels sprouts, mustard greens, radishes, rutabagas, parsnips, kohlrabi, and many more. These can also be planted during the later part of summer as the cooler fall season approaches.
Don't let cooler seasons deter you from gardening!
There is a large array of herbs, veggies, and plants that do extremely well in the cold. Many varieties won't even grow until they have been graced with the cooler temperatures. Many of these varieties will do well in containers, you can start seeds in containers and if you start to get worried about cooler temperatures, you can also cover seedlings with solo cups, or a tarp to protect them overnight.
