Events Calendar > Fall Garden Fair
In Santa Clara County, we can grow delicious vegetables year round. Our cool season lets us grow vegetables typically grown as early spring crops elsewhere in the U.S.
- See Cool Season Vegetables for information on how to grow each vegetable.
- Refer to our Vegetable Planting Chart for a month-by-month guide on when to plant which vegetables. Developed specifically for Santa Clara County.
- Check our Events Calendar for upcoming talks on cool season vegetables.
Below are some varieties that Master Gardeners have found grow well here.
All sale plants are in 4-packs unless otherwise noted.
Note: In 2025, the Succulent, Garlic, and Vegetable Seedling sale on Sept 20 (9 am to noon) will have the widest selection of vegetable seedlings. Only a subset of the ones listed below will be available at the Fall Garden Fair event on Oct 11.
OP: Open-pollinated. Seed saved will breed true to type.
Hybrid: Produced from crosses between two distinct parent lines. Seed saved will not be true to the variety planted. (More on Saving Vegetable Seeds from the University of Minnesota Extension)
Artichoke: Violetta Precoce, OP
Violet purple globes, medium-sized, thorn-free. Perennial, full sun. Cut to ground level after spring production. Grows 3 to 5 feet wide by 2 to 3 feet tall.
Arugula: Italian, OP, Eruca sativa
Delicious salad greens with deep, spicy flavor. Will resow if allowed to go to seed. Flowers are edible too. 8 to 10 inches tall. Space plants 3 to 6 inches apart.
Asian Greens: Bopak Choi Hybrid
Ready in 45 days. Tall, heavy, full-size heads with mild, succulent flavor. 8 to 10 inches tall. Space plants 8 to 12 inches apart.
Asian Greens: Chijimisai, OP
Cross between tatsoi and komatsuma. Smooth, spoon-shaped leaves in a loose, upright rosette. Great spinach substitute for salads, soups, stir fries, and more. 8 to 12 inches tall. Space plants 12 inches apart.
Asian Greens: Chinese Broccoli, Gailon, Gai Lan, OP
Thick, juicy stalks, young leaves and flower buds are tender and delicious. Can harvest shoots repeatedly for weeks.
Asian Greens: Komatsuna Mustard OP
Also called Mustard Spinach. Mild, sweet flavor, good in salads or cooking. Plant closely for baby greens or up to 10 inches apart.
Asian Greens: Napa Cabbage, Minuet, Hybrid
Excellent mini variety. Upright, dense heads. Slow to bolt. 9 inches tall. Space plants 12 inches apart.
Asian Greens: Shungiku (Edible chrysanthemum), OP
Clip young leaves frequently to keep plants small and tender. Fine, lacy leaves are mild and tasty. 4 to 8 inches tall. Plant close together.
Beets: Touchstone Gold, OP
Sweet golden beets are mild and tasty. Beautiful in salads. Greens are delicious and mild. Stabilized OP version of Touchstone Gold hybrid. 8 to 12 inches tall. Space plants 4 to 6 inches apart.
Broccoli: Belstar, Hybrid
Large 6 to 8 inches main head followed by plentiful side shoots which will continue all winter long. Later than Packman. 18 to 24 inches tall. Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart.
Broccoli: Bravado, Hybrid
Large main head followed by abundant side shoots. Strong and disease resistant. 20 to 24 inches tall. Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart.
Broccoli: Calabrese, OP
Medium-sized 3 to 6 inches main head followed by numerous side shoots for months afterwards. 24 to 30 inches tall. Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart.
Broccoli: Gypsy, Hybrid
Large 6 to 8 inches main head followed by plentiful side shoots. Heat tolerant. 18 to 24 inches tall. Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart.
Broccoli: Mixed
Mixed four-pack of broccoli. A great way to try several varieties! Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart.
Cabbage: Caraflex, Hybrid
Pointed mini cabbage heads weigh just 1½ to 2 pounds, have a sweet, mild flavor. 9 inches tall. Space plants 12 to 24 inches apart.
Cabbage: Kalibos, Hybrid
Pointed purple/red cabbage heads weigh 2 to 3 pounds. Sweet flavor, good storage. 12 to 15 inches tall. Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart.
Cabbage: Red Acre
Compact plants produce 2 to 4 pound red heads. 12 to 15 inches tall. Space plants 12 to 24 inches apart.
Cabbage: Tiara, Hybrid
Delicious 6-inch mini cabbages are just 1 to 2 pounds each. 10 to 12 inches tall. Space plants 12 inches apart.
Cabbage: Mixed
Mixed four-pack of cabbage. A great way to try several varieties! Space plants 10 to 24 inches apart.
Cauliflower: Cheddar, Hybrid
Like a regular cauliflower, but orange! Sweet and tasty, with about 25 times as much beta carotene as white cauliflower. No blanching needed. Delicious and striking. 18 to 24 inches tall. Space plants 24 to 30 inches apart.
Cauliflower: DePurple, Hybrid
7-inch wide lilac purple heads, keeps color when cooked. No blanching needed. Great color and flavor. 18 to 24 inches tall. Space plants 24 to 30 inches apart.
Cauliflower: Fioretto Sprouting, Hybrid
Loose heads have tender stems that elongate as they mature. Harvest sprouts up to 8 inches long. 18 to 24 inches tall. Space plants 24 to 30 inches apart.
Cauliflower: Flame Star, Hybrid
Pastel orange cauliflower, sweet & tasty. No blanching needed. Excellent heat tolerance. 18 to 24 inches tall. Space plants 24 to 30 inches apart.
Cauliflower: Veronica Romanesco, Hybrid
Light green heads with incredible swirls that form amazing fractal shapes. Sweet nut-like taste. 18 to 24 inches tall. Space plants 24 to 30 inches apart.
Cauliflower: Snow Crown, Hybrid
Early snowball type is pure white, round and flavorful, weighing up to 2 pounds. each. 18 to 24 inches tall. Space plants 24 to 30 inches apart.
Cauliflower: Mixed
Mixed four-pack of cauliflowers. A fun way to try different varieties! Space plants 24 to 30 inches apart.
Chard: Bionda di Lione, OP
Large, light green leaves on thick white stems. Excellent flavor. 18 to 24 inches tall. Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart.
Chard: Bright Lights, OP
Gorgeous stems are red, yellow, gold, orange, white, pink, violet, and striped. Delicious and tender. Multicolored stems and leaves make a wonderful show. 18 to 24 inches tall. Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart.
Fennel: Di Parma, OP
Superior bulbing fennel, large and uniform, with great flavor. Flowers attract beneficials and swallowtail butterflies will lay eggs on the feathery greens. 24 to 36 inches tall. Space plants 10 to 12 inches apart.
Kale: Black Magic Lacinato, OP
Improved lacinato kale. Same great rumpled leaves grow more tightly, also more bolt resistant. 18 to 20 inches tall. Space plants 12 to 24 inches apart.
Kale: Mars Landing, OP
Beautiful leaves in bronzy maroon color with scalloped edges. Stays tender, holds well. 24 to 30 inches tall. Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart.
Kohlrabi: Kohlibri, Hybrid
Beautiful purple bulbs look like alien vegetables. The white flesh inside is sweet and juicy. Can be eaten raw or cooked. 8 to 10 inches tall. Space plants 4 to 6 inches apart.
Leek: Carentan, OP
3½-inch pot. Long, thick leek grows strong and vigorously, with a delicate and delicious flavor. Up to 2 inches across. An old European heirloom variety. 18 to 24 inches tall. Separate the individual seedlings and plant them 4 to 6 inches apart in trenches. Gradually fill in the trench as they grow to promote a long, blanched stalk. When leeks are planted early enough in the fall, they will start to size up in early winter, so can be harvested all winter long.
Leek: Tadorna, OP
3½-inch pot. Vigorous leek, thick, medium-length shank. Holds well in garden. Moderate leaf disease resistance. 18 to 24 inches tall. Separate the individual seedlings and plant them 4 to 6 inches apart in trenches. Gradually fill in the trench as they grow to promote a long, blanched stalk. When leeks are planted early enough in the fall, they will start to size up in early winter, so can be harvested all winter long.
Lettuce: Bauer Green Oakleaf, OP
Dense heads with small, tender, crisp leaves. 5 to 7 inches tall. Space plants 8 to 10 inches apart
Lettuce: Salanova Green Butter, OP
Dense heads with small, delicate, buttery leaves. 5 to 7 inches tall. Space plants 8 to 10 inches apart.
Lettuce: Salanova Red Batavia, OP
Compact, dense heads have bright green leaves tipped in purple-red. 5 to 7 inches tall. Space plants 8 to 10 inches apart.
Lettuce: Salanova Red Oakleaf, OP
Dense heads of shiny red, finely lobed oakleaf leaves. 5 to 7 inches tall. Space plants 8 to 10 inches apart.
Lettuce: Skyphos Red, OP
Large, dark red butterhead with green centers. Resistant to downy mildew and mosaic virus. 6 to 8 inches tall. Space plants 10 to 12 inches apart.
Lettuce: Summer Bouquet Mix, OP
Delicious mix of European lettuces: red loose leaf Redina, crisp green Nevada, and burgundy/green Cardinale. Space plants 8 to 10 inches apart.
Peas: Mammoth Melting Sugar (snow pea), OP
Heirloom variety with sweet 4 to 5 inches long flat pods are borne on vigorous vines. 4 to 5 feet tall. Space plants 3 to 4 inches apart.
Peas: Super Sugar Snap, OP
Vigorous vines yield heavy crop of delicious, edible-podded sugar snap peas. Healthy and mildew resistant. Thick, juicy pods are great raw or cooked. 5 to 6 feet tall. Space plants 3 to 4 inches apart.
Peas: Tall Telephone (shelling), OP
Large pods of delicious peas on tall vines. Heirloom variety. Needs a trellis. 6 feet tall. Space plants 4 inches apart.
Spinach: Oriental Giant, Hybrid
Giant arrowhead-shaped leaves are sweet and crisp, on long stems held high off the ground. Vigorous plants will produce all winter long. 18 to 24 inches tall. Space plants 8 to 10 inches apart.
Turnip: White Hakurei, Hybrid
Smooth, crisp white turnips, excellent for eating raw or lightly cooked. Greens are smooth and tender. Best harvested young, at 2 inches diameter or smaller. Space plants 2 inches apart.