For those trying their hand at vegetable gardening in the Pacific Northwest, the unique weather of the area can lead to some wonderful results with plants. The way the ocean helps to keep temperatures from getting too cold and the rain that falls easily throughout the year means long growing seasons and healthy crops. If you’re stuck on ideas on what to grow when vegetable gardening in the Pacific Northwest, there are some great options out there that will give you great tastes on the table, many better than you’ll find in your local grocery.

Like Peas In a Garden

Peas are a great option when vegetable gardening in the Pacific Northwest, since fresh peas tend to be vastly superior to canned or frozen peas from the local supermarket. Your best bet for this cool-season crop is to plant them in early April to prevent cold weather from making seeds rot. By planting then, you are assured a great crop of tender, sweet peas.

Your best bet for serving is to shell and cook them within six hours of picking, as peas quickly lose their sugar content when picked and kept at room temperature. Fresh sugar snap peas will work wonders to make peas a hit with your kids, who will enjoy plump, sweet peas much better than anything you can get at the store.

Grow Some Leeks

Another idea when vegetable gardening in the Pacific Northwest is to grow leeks. This plant is a great alternative to onions in many dishes, with a mellower flavor, often sweeter than onions and with less bite. Leeks are great in a variety of dishes, from adding flavor to soups to frying similar to onion rings.

Leeks are best after being hit with a light frost, so these are ideal for the late growing season. They can be grown year round and dug up as needed once winter hits. They also have a synergy with other plants that you can grow when vegetable gardening in the Pacific Northwest, since they grow great in soil that has been recently used to grow cabbages.

Get Some Beets

Beets are a versatile vegetable, since both the greens and the foots are edible and used in a variety of dishes. These plants do well at temperatures of about 60 degrees Fahrenheit, which makes them ideal for the end of summer, when temperatures start to wane, but they can survive in weather up to heavy freezing temperatures, which means you can grow and pick them throughout the fall. Whether you grow them for the striking red roots the beets have or the nutritious greens, they are another great vegetable to add when vegetable gardening in the Pacific Northwest. Make use of the cooler weather and long growing seasons in your area for great results in the garden!