Winter doesn’t have to keep you from gardening! Growing vegetables for at least part of the winter is possible if you stick to cold-tolerant varieties.
Granted, if your temps drop below zero, no vegetable will tolerate that (unless you have a cold frame or greenhouse). But if you have low temps of at least 25°F, you can grow several of the vegetables listed below. And if you live in a colder region, you can still start growing veggies in late winter/early spring and into late fall to get the most out of your garden.
Table of Contents
- Growing Vegetables in Winter: Top 15 Cold-Hardy Vegetables
- Closing thoughts on growing vegetables in winter
Winter Sowing Seeds: List of best seeds to winter sow and how to do it
Growing Vegetables in Winter: Top 15 Cold-Hardy Vegetables
Arugula
Arugula is a Mediterranean green with a peppery flavor and is considered a cruciferous vegetable. Like other veggies in the crucifer family (such as broccoli), it can grow in colder conditions. And it’s super easy to grow!
Most varieties of arugula prefer temps of 40° – 65°. But, depending on the variety, it can tolerate a much wider range of temperatures, especially if it’s covered when temps drop below freezing.
In the spring, sow seeds in the garden as soon as you can work the soil. And in the fall, sow seeds in August. Some varieties of arugula can tolerate temperatures as low as 20°.
Beets
Not only can you eat the beet roots, but you can eat the beet greens too! Beets often have an earthy yet sweet flavor and come in several varieties and colors. They’re great for growing in cooler temperatures – and easy, too!
Beets thrive in temperatures between 55°-75°.
In the spring, sow beet seeds directly into the garden soil up to 3 weeks before the last frost date. Beets germinate quickly once soil temperatures are 40°-50°.
Plant seeds up to 10 weeks before the first frost date in the fall. Established plants often tolerate temperatures below freezing briefly, especially when covered.
Broccoli
Broccoli is a nutritious crucifer with a sweet and slightly bitter flavor that is tempered when lightly steamed. It prefers cool temperatures, so it’s perfect for cool-weather growing.
Broccoli enjoys daytime growing temperatures of 60°-70°.
In late winter or early spring, you can start broccoli seeds indoors around 6 weeks before transplanting into the garden. Or sow seeds directly in the garden about 3 weeks before the last frost.
In fall, sow seeds directly into the garden about 2-3 months before the first frost. Established broccoli plants can tolerate pretty low temps, just below freezing.
Brussel Sprouts
Brussel sprouts look like tiny cabbages and taste very similar too. They’re another crucifer with a slightly sweet and bitter flavor that mellows to a nutty, sweet flavor when cooked.
They grow well in cooler temps. Brussel sprouts thrive in temperatures from 45°-75°.
In late winter, sow seeds up to 10 weeks before the last frost date in your region. They’ll sprout when temperatures reach the 40s and mature in about 90 days.
Fall planting can be done about 6 weeks before the first frost. Established plants can survive in low temperatures, sometimes below 20° F.
Cabbage
Cabbage is another crucifer with a peppery flavor when raw; sweeter and mellow when cooked. The good news is it’s another cold-hardy vegetable that’s super healthy.
Cabbage enjoys cool temperatures between 55° and 70° F.
For a spring/summer harvest, cabbage can get started indoors in the winter and transplanted up to three weeks before the last frost date.
To harvest cabbage in the fall, sow seeds directly in the garden in July or August, depending on your region. Established plants will survive temperatures just below freezing for short periods.
Carrots
Carrots are root veggies that are usually a little sweet and crunchy but can be a bit bitter. They’re cool-weather crops that come in many varieties. And they taste sweeter when eaten fresh from the garden!
Carrots do best in temperatures between 45° and 75°.
In the spring, carrot seeds can get sown in the garden up to three weeks before the last frost date.
For a fall crop, sow seeds in mid to late summer, keeping in mind the first frost date. They can withstand light frost but usually not a hard freeze.
Collard greens
Collards are leafy greens that taste like kale but are less bitter and mild when cooked. They’re easy to grow, cold-hardy, and sweeter when the leaves are briefly exposed to frost temps.
Collards thrive in daytime temperatures between 60° and 70°.
In the spring, start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost and transplant about two weeks before the last frost date.
In the fall, start them in the garden six to eight weeks before the first frost. Established plants can survive temps down to 20° for brief periods.
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Fava beans
Fava beans are often described as tasting buttery or nutty and are creamy like chickpeas. They’re very healthy, easy to grow, and cold-tolerant.
When planting, remember that fava beans get up to four feet tall!
They enjoy daytime temperatures in the 60s but tolerate a range of temperatures.
In the spring, sow seeds in the garden when the soil is workable, in late winter/early spring, up to a month before the last frost date, or sooner if they’re covered. They can also be started indoors and transplanted into the garden after hardening off.
Fava beans can be planted in the fall and used as a winter cover crop to add nitrogen to the soil, but there is the risk of rot and rodents when using this method.
Green Onions
Green onions have a mild onion flavor that’s a bit sweet and chive-like. They’re easy and fast to grow and do well in cooler temperatures.
Green onions thrive in temperatures around 70°.
In the spring, you can start seeds indoors about 8 weeks before the last frost and transplant them up to three weeks before the last frost date. Or, sow seeds directly in the garden a couple of weeks before the last frost (they will germinate more slowly in colder temps). They can get planted all summer but don’t like extreme heat.
For a fall crop, sow seeds in August. Established plants tolerate light frost but not extended periods below freezing.
Kale
Kale is a sturdy brassica that tastes like spinach yet is more bitter when eaten raw. The bitterness lessens when cooked, and it’s great for sauteeing and soups. The good news is, it’s easy to grow and cold-hardy!
Kale thrives around temperatures of around 60-70°.
In the spring, plant kale seeds directly in the ground up to 5 weeks before the last frost date. Or, you can start kale indoors and transplant 4-5 weeks before the last frost (after the plant has at least 4 mature leaves). Kale will grow fast when temps stay below 75°.
For a late-fall/early winter harvest, plant kale up to 8 weeks before the first frost. The established plants can tolerate temperatures as low as 25°, sometimes lower.
Leeks
Leeks are like large, sturdy versions of a green onion. They taste like onions but are much more mild and sweet. They take a while to reach maturity, so it’s best to plan your plantings, but they are cold-hardy.
Leeks enjoy temperatures between 55° and 70°.
Those in colder regions often start leek seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before the last frost date. Transplant them into the garden up to 4 weeks before the last frost, as long as temps reach 45° during the daytime.
Since they take so long to mature, fall plantings are iffy in the colder northern regions but work well in zone 6 or higher. Established plants can briefly tolerate temperatures as low as 20°.
Lettuce
There are so many varieties of garden lettuce that we can’t cover the gamut of flavors and categories here. But leaf lettuce is generally easy to grow, and most varieties are cold-tolerant. In fact, homegrown lettuce often tastes best when temperatures aren’t too hot.
Leaf lettuce generally thrives in temps between 45° and 80°.
Lettuce proliferates in cooler temperatures. So, planting seeds every couple of weeks in the spring and/or fall is recommended so plants don’t mature simultaneously.
In the spring, plant seeds directly in the garden up to four weeks before your last frost date. They can get started indoors and transplanted, but transplants are more challenging. You can continue to plant seeds every couple of weeks until temperatures get too hot.
Plant seed directly in the garden in late August or early September for fall lettuce. If the temperatures are still hot, mulch the planting area for a few days before you plant to cool the soil. Just remove the mulch when you plant the seed. Many varieties of lettuce can survive brief temps as low as 20°F.
Radishes
Radishes are crunchy root veggies that are a little spicy when eaten raw; some are slightly bitter, and some are a little sweet. The most common way to eat them is raw, in salads, and on their own. But you can also cook them and pickle them. In other words, radishes are super versatile.
Radishes are cold-tolerant, mature quickly, and do well in home gardens. They enjoy cooler temperatures between 40° and 65°. Check your seeds; different varieties thrive in the spring and fall.
In the spring, sow radish seeds directly in the garden up to 6 weeks before the last frost date. And harvest before they get too mature, and the weather gets too warm.
In the fall, plant seeds in the garden in September or up to 6 weeks before the first frost date. Established plants can tolerate temperatures just below freezing for brief periods.
Spinach
Spinach is a super popular and sturdy green with a mild, earthy flavor. It’s not as bitter as similar greens and sometimes tastes slightly sweet. It has varied uses and is eaten raw and cooked.
Like many other greens, it’s cold-hardy and easy to grow. Spinach thrives in daytime temperatures between 55° and 60°.
In spring, sow spinach seeds directly in the garden up to 6 weeks before the last frost date. Once temps reach 75°-80°, plants tend to bolt, and leaves taste more bitter.
In the fall, sow seeds in the garden up to 8 weeks before the first frost date, as long as daytime temps aren’t super hot. Spinach will continue to produce in cold weather and can survive temps as low as 20° for brief stretches.
Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is a type of beet, but only the leaves are edible, not the root. It has a mild flavor like spinach but sometimes slightly more bitter. It’s also used much the way spinach is, raw and cooked.
It thrives in cooler temps, making it perfect for growing in fall, spring, and even winter under the right conditions. Swiss chard prefers temperatures between 50°, but it’s tolerant of wide temperature swings.
In the spring, sow seeds directly in the garden up to 4 weeks before the last frost date. Seeds will germinate once the soil temperature reaches around 40°-50°. It is also possible to start seeds indoors a few weeks before the last frost and transplant them once the threat of frost has passed.
In fall, sow seeds in the garden up to 6 weeks before the first frost date. Established plants tolerate light frosts and brief temperature dips down into the 20°s.
Turnips
When eaten raw, turnips are crunchy root veggies with a mild yet slightly sweet and spicy flavor. The flavor is milder when cooked, like a mix of potatoes, carrots, and radishes.
Turnips grow best in cooler weather and are perfect for fall and spring plantings. They thrive in temperatures between 40° and 70°.
In spring, sow turnip seeds directly in the garden up to 3 weeks before the last frost date. They germinate and mature quickly but tend to bolt when temperatures get too warm.
In the fall, sow seeds in the garden in August. Established plants will tolerate frost and temps into the mid to upper 20°s.
Closing thoughts on growing vegetables in winter
There you have it – some of the best vegetables for growing in the winter.
Growing vegetables in the winter is possible in most areas, especially if you use a cold frame or greenhouse in the northern regions.
But even if you don’t have a cold frame or greenhouse, these veggies can extend your gardening season for several months. Planting these vegetables is a great way to grow fresh produce almost year-round!
Next:
- Winter Gardening in the Midwest? A Calendar for Winter Garden Tasks
- Composting in Winter? Keeping Compost Going During Cold Weather
- When To Start Seeds Indoors in Iowa: Get a Head Start on Spring
- Winter Sowing Seeds: Best seeds to winter sow and how to do it