USDA Hardiness Zones

Spinacia oleracea

Spinach is a fast-growing, nutrient-packed leafy green that thrives in cool weather. One of the most nutritious vegetables available, rich in iron and folate.

Ocimum basilicum

The king of herbs, basil is essential in Italian, Thai, and Mediterranean cooking. Warm-season annual that thrives in heat and dies in frost. Pinch flowers to extend harvest.

Allium sativum

Garlic is one of the oldest cultivated plants and one of the most medicinally powerful. Plant in fall for summer harvest — it's remarkably hardy and stores well for months.

Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris

Swiss chard is a colorful, nutrient-dense green that bridges the gap between warm and cool seasons. Its vibrant red, yellow, and white stems make it as ornamental as it is edible.

Solanum lycopersicum

The most popular home garden plant in North America. Nothing beats a sun-warmed, garden-fresh tomato. They require some attention but reward with abundant, flavorful harvests.

Brassica oleracea var. sabellica

Kale is one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet, packed with powerful antioxidants. It is incredibly versatile in the kitchen and extremely cold-hardy.

Rheum rhabarbarum

Rhubarb is a perennial that comes back year after year in cold climates. Its tart stalks are used almost exclusively in sweets. A garden classic that requires very little care.

Fragaria × ananassa

Strawberries are the beloved harbinger of summer. They produce runners that create new plants, making them a self-perpetuating delight in the garden year after year.

Cucurbita pepo

Zucchini is the most productive vegetable in the summer garden — sometimes alarmingly so. One plant can feed a family. Fast-growing and extremely rewarding for new gardeners.

Mentha spp.

Mint is one of the most vigorous and useful herbs you can grow. It spreads prolifically — plant it in containers to keep it contained. Highly aromatic and productive.

Vaccinium corymbosum

Blueberries are among the most antioxidant-rich foods in the world and are surprisingly easy to grow once established. Perennial shrubs that produce for decades with proper care.