Biennial Vegetables

Biennial plants are those that complete their life cycle in two years. The first year, they grow leaves, stems, and roots; then they go dormant over the winter. In the second year, they flower, produce seeds, and then die. Here are some biennial vegetables and their growing details:

  • Beet (Beta vulgaris)
    • Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade.
    • Soil: Light, sandy, well-draining.
    • Water: Regular, do not let soil dry out.
    • Spacing: 3-4 inches between plants and 12 inches between rows.
    • Harvest: Typically 50-70 days for roots, but greens can be harvested earlier.
  • Brussels Sprouts (Brassica oleracea)
    • Sunlight: Full sun.
    • Soil: Fertile, well-draining.
    • Water: Regular.
    • Spacing: 18-24 inches apart.
    • Harvest: 90-100 days.
  • Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata)
    • Sunlight: Full sun.
    • Soil: Fertile, well-draining.
    • Water: Regular.
    • Spacing: 12-24 inches apart.
    • Harvest: 70-120 days, depending on the variety.
  • Carrot (Daucus carota)
    • Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade.
    • Soil: Sandy, well-draining.
    • Water: Regular.
    • Spacing: 2-4 inches apart.
    • Harvest: 50-80 days, depending on the variety.
  • Celery (Apium graveolens)
    • Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade.
    • Soil: Rich, well-draining.
    • Water: Regular and consistent.
    • Spacing: 8-10 inches apart.
    • Harvest: 100-140 days.
  • Kale (Brassica oleracea)
    • Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade.
    • Soil: Fertile, well-draining.
    • Water: Regular.
    • Spacing: 8-12 inches apart.
    • Harvest: 55-65 days for young leaves, longer for mature leaves.
  • Kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes)
    • Sunlight: Full sun.
    • Soil: Fertile, well-draining.
    • Water: Regular.
    • Spacing: 4-6 inches apart.
    • Harvest: 50-60 days.
  • Leek (Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum)
    • Sunlight: Full sun.
    • Soil: Fertile, well-draining.
    • Water: Regular.
    • Spacing: 6 inches apart.
    • Harvest: 80-100 days.
  • Onion (Allium cepa)
    • Sunlight: Full sun.
    • Soil: Fertile, well-draining.
    • Water: Regular.
    • Spacing: 4-6 inches apart.
    • Harvest: 100-120 days.
  • Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
    • Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade.
    • Soil: Rich, well-draining.
    • Water: Regular.
    • Spacing: 8-12 inches apart.
    • Harvest: 70-90 days for leaves.
  • Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa)
    • Sunlight: Full sun.
    • Soil: Light, sandy, well-draining.
    • Water: Regular.
    • Spacing: 3-6 inches apart.
    • Harvest: 100-120 days.
  • Rutabaga (Brassica napus)
    • Sunlight: Full sun.
    • Soil: Fertile, well-draining.
    • Water: Regular.
    • Spacing: 6 inches apart.
    • Harvest: 90-100 days.
  • Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla)
    • Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade.
    • Soil: Fertile, well-draining.
    • Water: Regular.
    • Spacing: 12-18 inches apart.
    • Harvest: 50-60 days.
  • Turnip (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa)
    • Sunlight: Full sun.
    • Soil: Fertile, well-draining.
    • Water: Regular.
    • Spacing: 2-4 inches apart.
    • Harvest: 30-60 days, depending on the variety.