Mid-March is an ideal time to start many cool season vegetable crops outside in the garden. Cool season crops will grow in colder temperatures but generally do not tolerate the summer heat. These vegetables are typically planted before the danger of frost has passed in the spring. Of course, each spring in Kansas is different, so all planting times may need to be adjusted earlier or later depending on the weather, varieties chosen, and your location around the state.
The chart below shows some of the most common cool season crops that can be planted outside beginning in mid-March as seeds, transplants, or crowns.
| Crop | What To Plant | When To Plant |
| Asparagus | Crowns | Mid-March to mid-April |
| Beets | Seeds | Late March to early April |
| Bok choy | Seeds or Transplants | Late March to early April |
| Broccoli | Transplants | Late March to early April |
| Cabbage | Transplants | Late March to early April |
| Carrots | Seeds | Late March to early April |
| Cauliflower | Transplants | Late March to early April |
| Chicories | Seeds or Transplants | Late March to early April |
| Collards | Seeds or Transplants | Late March to early April |
| Fennel | Seeds | Mid-March to early April |
| Kale | Seeds or Transplants | Mid-March |
| Kohlrabi | Seeds | Mid-March to early April |
| Leeks | Seeds or Transplants | Mid-March |
| Lettuce | Seeds | Mid-March to early April |
| Mustard | Seeds | Late March to early April |
| Onion | Sets or Plants | Mid- to late March |
| Parsnips | Seeds | Mid-March to early April |
| Peas | Seeds | Early to mid-March |
| Potatoes | Seed Potatoes | Mid-March to early April |
| Radish | Seeds | Mid- to late March |
| Rhubarb | Crowns | March to April |
| Spinach | Seeds | Mid- to late March |
| Swiss Chard | Seeds or Transplants | Late March to early April |
| Turnip | Seeds | Mid- to late March |
For more information on how to plant and care for each crop, visit the Kansas Garden Guide (Chapter 15 has crop specific information): https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/kansas-garden-guide_S51.pdf




