| Kale | Vegetable | Full sun to part shade | Moderate | 6.0-7.5 | Start indoors, transplant | Start seed early May; transplant early - mid Jun | No, season too short | 50-65 days | 12-18 in | Flavor sweetens after a light frost. |
| Lettuce | Vegetable | Full sun to part shade | Moderate | 6.0-7.0 | Start indoors or direct sow | Early - mid Jun; sow again in Jul | No, season too short | 30-60 days | 6-12 in | Cool-season crop; bolts in heat. Give afternoon shade in warm zones. |
| Radish | Vegetable | Full sun | Moderate | 6.0-7.0 | Direct sow | Late May - Jul, every 2 weeks | No, season too short | 22-30 days | 1-2 in | Fastest crop; good for beginners and kids. |
| Spinach | Vegetable | Full sun to part shade | Moderate | 6.5-7.5 | Direct sow | Late May - mid Jun | No, season too short | 35-50 days | 4-6 in | Cool-season crop; bolts quickly in warm weather. |
| Basil | Herb | Full sun | Moderate | 6.0-7.5 | Start indoors, transplant | Start seed early May; transplant late Jun | No | 30-60 days | 10-12 in | Pinch off flower buds to keep leaves coming. No frost tolerance. |
| Cilantro | Herb | Full sun to part shade | Moderate | 6.2-6.8 | Direct sow | Early - mid Jun | No | 30-45 days | 6-8 in | Cool-season herb; bolts in heat. Sow every few weeks. |
| Marigold | Flower | Full sun | Low | 6.0-7.0 | Start indoors, transplant | Start seed early May; transplant mid - late Jun | No | Blooms in 45-60 days | 8-12 in | Easy from seed; popular companion plant in vegetable beds. |
| Sunflower | Flower | Full sun | Low | 6.0-7.5 | Direct sow or transplant | Early - mid Jun; pick short-season varieties | No | Blooms in 70-100 days | 6-24 in | Direct sow. Tall types may need staking. |
| Zinnia | Flower | Full sun | Low | 5.5-7.5 | Start indoors, transplant | Start seed early May; transplant late Jun | No | Blooms in 60-70 days | 6-18 in | Direct sow after frost. Great for cutting and pollinators. |
