Starting the 2026 Garden

We are just two weeks into the new year, but already I am getting my garden started. It's a perfect time to plant some cool-weather vegetable seeds indoors under grow lights to be transplanted to the garden later. I typically don't plant anything outside until mid to late February. 

Today my seedling tray is filled with a few varieties of cabbage, broccoli, Swiss chard, and kale. The broccoli I'm trying this year are two heading varieties called Rasmus and Bravado plus a Purple Sprouting broccoli. We have 3 types of cabbage as well: two purple cabbages called Tete Noire and Kalibos alongside a Napa cabbage called Hilton. The kale is Blue Curled and Ragged Jack. I also planted 5 Color and Vulcan Swiss Chard.

When it's time to direct sow seeds into the early spring garden, we'll be planting beets, carrots, a variety of salad greens, and my personal favorite: peas. I am trying out several new-to-me seed varieties this year alongside some old favorites. 

I'm not sure how many people enjoy reading seed variety lists, but I do. Here's our full cool weather seed list for 2026:

Beets: Golden
Broccoli: Bravado, Purple Sprouting, Rasmus
Cabbage: Hilton, Kalibos, Tete Noire
Carrots: Chantenay Red, d'Anvers Half Long, Lila Lu Sang
Chard: 5 Color, Rhubarb Supreme
Kale: Blue Curled, Russian Red
Lettuce: Flashy Gem, Forellenschluss, Tennis Ball, Tom Thumb
Peas: Carouby de Maussane, Green Beauty, Mammoth Melting, Sugar Bon


What are you planting in your garden this year? Have you started any seeds yet?