21 Best Vegetables for Short Growing Seasons: Fast-Maturing Crops for Quick Harvests
These fast-maturing crops turn cool-climate challenges into bountiful garden rewards.
21 Best Vegetables For Gardeners With a Short Growing Season
If you garden in areas with limited growing days, early autumn frosts, or unpredictable weather, your plant selection is crucial. Many short-season vegetables are bred or naturally suited to mature quickly, thrive in cooler temperatures, and produce a reliable harvest within 25 to 80 days. Gardening in zones with a short growing season demands strategy, but it also offers the opportunity to grow high-quality and delicious crops with fewer pest and disease pressures.
Understanding Short Growing Seasons
A short growing season typically means having 90 to 120 frost-free days, common in northern or mountainous regions. This brief window requires crops that can be sown early, withstand cool nights, and reach maturity rapidly. Selecting quick-maturing varieties helps maximize yields and ensure a productive garden, whether you start seeds indoors, sow directly, or use season extenders like row covers and greenhouses.
- Fast Maturity: Prefer vegetables maturing in 80 days or less.
- Frost Tolerance: Seek crops that withstand early or late frost.
- Flexible Sowing: Use succession planting for extended harvests.
Here are 21 best options for short-season gardeners, organized by vegetable type, maturity days, planting guidance, and unique advantages for cool climates.
Table: Quick Reference for Short-Season Vegetables
| Vegetable | Days to Maturity | Best Sowing Method | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spinach | 25â60 | Direct seed | Becomes sweeter after frost |
| Radishes | 25â35 | Direct seed | Fastest root crop; succession sow |
| Arugula | 20â40 | Direct seed | Peppery green; great for salads |
| Lettuce | 30â50 | Direct seed or transplant | Harvest baby leaves in 3 weeks |
| Turnips | 30â50 | Direct seed | Harvest as roots or greens |
| Kohlrabi | 45â60 | Direct seed or transplant | Bulbs and leaves edible |
| Beets | 50â60 | Direct seed | Harvest roots & greens |
| Cilantro | 30â55 | Direct seed | Tolerates cool temps; bolt-resistant |
| Dill | 40â60 | Direct seed | Use leaves or seeds for flavor |
| Green Onions | 30â55 | Transplants or seed | Allium for rapid harvest |
| Peas | 50â65 | Direct seed | Sow early in spring or late summer |
| Cherry Tomatoes* | 55â70 | Transplant | Opt for compact, fast-yielding types |
| Bush Beans | 50â60 | Direct seed | Quick cropping and heat-resilient |
| Broccoli (early varieties) | 50â70 | Transplant | Choose side-shoot prolific types |
| Bok Choy | 30â45 | Direct seed or transplant | Heat bolts quicklyâgrow spring/fall |
| Zucchini | 45â60 | Direct seed | Prolific even in cool summers |
| Swiss Chard | 45â60 | Direct seed or transplant | Cut-and-come-again harvests |
| Summer Squash | 50â60 | Direct seed | Pick small for tenderness |
| Baby Carrots | 45â60 | Direct seed | Choose short, round varieties |
| Chard | 45â60 | Direct seed or transplant | Resilient and colorful greens |
| Mustard Greens | 30â40 | Direct seed | Spicy flavor for salads or stir-fries |
*Transplants recommended for tomatoes in short-season climates.
Top Picks: Fast-Growing Crops for Short Seasons
1. Spinach
Days to maturity: 25â60.
Spinach thrives in cool weather and can be sown as soon as the soil is workable. In northern areas, early planting means the crop will be sweeter after frosts. Avoid extended high temperatures, as spinach bolts quickly. Succession sow for continuous harvest.
2. Radishes
Days to maturity: 25â35.
Among the fastest-growing root crops, radishes are ready to eat in just 3-5 weeks. Sow repeatedly for fresh harvests throughout spring and fall. Try varieties like ‘French Breakfast’ for rapid growth and mild flavor.
3. Arugula
Days to maturity: 20â40.
This peppery leaf crop matures quickly and tolerates cool soil. Succession sow arugula to enjoy its flavor in salads.
4. Lettuce
Days to maturity: 30â50.
Loose-leaf and butterhead lettuces are ideal for short seasons. Harvest baby leaves as soon as three weeks after sowing or allow heads to mature for a few more weeks. Lettuce prefers cooler conditions; shade during heat waves.
What others are reading
5. Turnips
Days to maturity: 30â50.
Turnips supply edible greens and roots. Early varieties deliver crispy, golf-ball-sized bulbs with mild flavor. Sow in early spring or late summer for autumn harvests.
6. Kohlrabi
Days to maturity: 45â60.
The bulbous stem and leaves are delicious raw or cooked. Plant early for a spring crop or late summer for fall success. Choose quick-maturing cultivars for short seasons.
7. Beets
Days to maturity: 50â60.
Harvest both roots and leafy greens. Beets tolerate cool soil and yield best when sown directly outdoors. Try ‘Detroit Dark Red’ or ‘Early Wonder’ for reliability.
8. Cilantro
Days to maturity: 30â55.
An herb favored for its cold-tolerance and rapid growth. Direct sow in early spring or autumn. Cilantro bolts in heat, so growing during cooler months is best.
9. Dill
Days to maturity: 40â60.
Dill performs well in short seasons, especially if you use leaves before it flowers. Sow directly for fresh greens or allow to flower for fragrant seeds.
10. Green Onions (Scallions)
Days to maturity: 30â55.
These mild onions are fast producers whether grown from seed or sets. Excellent for bridging the gap before bulbing onions mature.
11. Peas
Days to maturity: 50â65.
Both shelling and snap peas prefer cool soil and can be sown before the last frost. Tall and bush types deliver crisp podsâtrain vines if space is tight.
12. Cherry Tomatoes
Days to maturity: 55â70.
Compact, early-maturing tomato varieties are your best bet in zones with brief summers. Start indoors and transplant after danger of frost.
13. Bush Beans
Days to maturity: 50â60.
Beans germinate quickly and can be succession sown. Bush types are especially productive in short windows; try green, wax, or purple-podded varieties.
14. Broccoli (Early Varieties)
Days to maturity: 50â70.
Choose fast-producing types that yield plenty of side shoots after the main head is harvested. Transplants give broccoli a head start early in the season.
15. Bok Choy
Days to maturity: 30â45.
This Asian green grows best in spring or fall and matures quickly. Baby bok choy can be picked under 30 days from sowing.
16. Zucchini
Days to maturity: 45â60.
Zucchini is one of the easiest and most productive vegetables for short seasons. Direct sow after the last frost and harvest fruits small for maximum tenderness.
17. Swiss Chard
Days to maturity: 45â60.
A resilient green that can be continually harvested through cut-and-come-again methods. Swiss chard tolerates mild frost and heat.
18. Summer Squash
Days to maturity: 50â60.
Like zucchini, summer squash is fast-growing and easy to manage in short seasons. Pick young fruits and plants will continue to produce.
19. Baby Carrots
Days to maturity: 45â60.
Opt for round or short varieties like ‘Little Finger’ or ‘Atlas.’ Sow in loose, well-drained soil for quick yields.
20. Mustard Greens
Days to maturity: 30â40.
These spicy greens add zest to salads and stir-fries. Fast to germinate and quick to harvest, theyâre perfect for cool months and succession sowing.
21. Chard
Days to maturity: 45â60.
Colorful, versatile, and tolerant of a variety of soil and weather conditions. Chard is reliable for season-long greens and decorative garden beds.
Key Strategies for Maximizing Short Season Harvests
- Start Indoors: Begin seeds early inside for crops like tomatoes, broccoli, and peppers.
- Direct Sow Hardy Crops: Opt for direct seeding with radishes, spinach, peas, and lettuce as soon as the soil is workable.
- Succession Planting: Stagger sowing dates for ongoing harvest. Lettuce, radish, and arugula benefit most.
- Use Season Extension Tools: Employ cloches, row covers, or cold frames to get an early start or protect late crops from unexpected frosts.
- Mulch: Extends soil moisture and temperature, providing extra growing days for sensitive crops.
Cultivar Selection Tips
- Choose varieties specifically bred for short maturity, like ‘Early Wonder’ beet, ‘Sugar Ann’ peas, or ‘Tom Thumb’ lettuce.
- Review seed packets for the earliest harvest time and disease resistance.
- Consult local gardening resources for zone-appropriate recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What vegetables grow fastest in short seasons?
Radishes, arugula, spinach, and lettuce are among the fastest-growing vegetables, maturing in under a month. Many Asian greens and baby turnips also mature rapidly.
Can I grow tomatoes in a short growing season?
Yes, especially compact cherry or saladette varieties started indoors and transplanted outside after the last frost. Look for tomatoes with 60 days or less to maturity and be prepared to use season extenders.
How can I extend my vegetable growing season?
Start seeds indoors under lights, use greenhouses or cold frames, apply row covers, and select quick-maturing cultivars. Succession sowing and mulching also help keep your garden productive longer.
What is succession planting, and why is it useful?
Succession planting means staggering seed sowing every few weeks to ensure a steady supply of vegetables. Itâs particularly effective for crops that mature quickly and bolt in heat, such as lettuce, radish, and spinach.
Do these vegetables grow well in containers?
Most short-season vegetables adapt well to container gardening. Choose containers with good drainage, use quality potting mix, and fertilize as needed. Lettuce, radish, spinach, beets, and bush beans are especially suited for limited space.
Expert Tips for Cool-Climate Success
- Keep records of sowing dates, varieties, and harvests to optimize your future choices.
- Water consistently to speed germination and growth, especially in drying spring and summer winds.
- Protect seedlings from late frosts by monitoring local weather and employing covers if needed.
- Rotate crops annually to minimize soil disease and pest buildup in short cycles.
Conclusion: Short Season, Big Rewards
Gardening with a brief growing window doesnât mean compromising on quality or yield. With smart variety choices and techniques, short-season gardeners can enjoy successive, vibrant harvests from early spring until the first frosts. Select quick-maturing crops, keep sowing every few weeks, and take advantage of cool-season advantagesâlike fewer insect pests and sweeter flavors. Your short season can be abundant and delicious!
References
Similar Articles
Read full bio of Sneha Tete
