The summer season isn’t the only time when Delicious produce starts to appear, as some of the most exceptional fall and winter vegetables mature during the colder months. Winter plants that can withstand harsh weather conditions such as snow, rain, and ice, as well as vegetables like carrots, turnips, onions, or other root vegetables, are commonly grown
If you want to give your Winter vegetables some help Protect your garden with a protective covering during the coldest months of the year. These plants can grow in under freezing weather and light snowfalls, thanks to a small greenhouse or its protective cover, according to Deborah Miuccio, the product research and testing coordinator at Gardener’s Supply Company. “This empowers individuals to take control of their lives.” Maintain their own diet throughout the year ”
Ready to get started planting your own winter vegetable garden? We asked experts to share the hardiest crops that will withstand whatever the cold weather brings
- Deborah Miuccio , product research and testing coordinator at Gardener’s Supply Company
- Ginny Rosenkranz , master gardener coordinator with the University of Maryland Extension
- Todd Carr , former senior garden editor at Martha Stewart Living
Carrots
Whether glazed and roasted, raw in salad, pureed for soup, or grated for cake Carrots Are an incredibly versatile vegetable. Growing them through cold weather makes them even sweeter
” They can stay in the ground under a nice layer of mulch to be harvested through early winter “says Ginny Rosenkranz, master gardener coordinator with the University of Maryland Extension. Carrots also grow well under tunnels—the goal is to keep the soil from freezing so you can pull the carrots out all year
Zone: 3 to 10. Size: 12 inches tall and deep x 9 inches wide Growing conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil
Turnips
Turnips grow in spring or fall, but—as with carrots—sowing in late summer often provides you with a tastier end result. They’ll survive in temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit, so you can pull them from the ground and serve them for dinner well into the season’s cooler weather
Zone: 2 to 9. Size: 12 to 14 inches tall x 3 to 6 inches wide Growing conditions: Full sun to partial shade; fertile, well-drained soil
Spinach
Spinach Is tough enough to grow through temperatures as low as 28 degrees, but tender enough to provide a delicious base for winter salads, entrees, and dips. Plant spinach about eight weeks before your First frost date And use covers to extend the harvest season
Zone: 2 to 9. Size: 8 to 12 inches tall x 5 inches wide Growing conditions: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil
Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts Prefer temperatures below 65 degrees, but can survive in weather as cold as 20 degrees. Because of their long growing season, plan to plant them about four months before your first frost date; choose a full-sun spot, but keep them watered during the summer to protect them from the heat
Zone: 3 to 9. Size: 24 to 26 inches tall x 12 inches wide Growing conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil
Mustard Greens
Don’t allow their delicate appearance to fool you; fruitful, swift-sprouting Mustard greens Can last through frost and temperatures several degrees above freezing in your vegetable garden. When in doubt, Todd Carr, former senior garden editor at Martha Stewart Living Suggests beginning the plant growth indoors in the fall and moving it outside after germination
Zone: 8 to 11. Size: 20 inches tall x 24 inches wide Growing conditions: Full sun; rich, well-drained soil
Lettuce
Brisk temperatures suit Robust lettuce , whose seeds can be sown in the fall for a harvest between one and three months after their initial planting.” If the seeds you are working with are small, you can mix them with sand for greater visibility “Carr advises.” When you lay out the seeds in rows, you can see where they are going. ”
Zone: 2 to 11. Size: Measurements: 6-inch by 12-inch (180 m) in height and 1-in dune Growing conditions: The soil should be well-drained and rich, with partial to Full sun
Cabbage
Fall is the perfect time to plant this delicious leafy green, as it won’t be affected by Cold temperatures. The Cabbage is reputed to flourish in frost and can be harvested during winter. Miuccio suggests starting these from seed in southern California by the end of September
Zone: 3 to 11. Size: The height and width measurements are 12 inches by 18 inches Growing conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil
Broccoli
According to Miuccio, when the high temperatures are reached, brassica vegetables will burst and produce seeds, resulting in a decrease in harvest. Similar to other species of plants Broccoli Is sheltered from extreme heat and is sown approximately 10 to 12 weeks before the first frost
Zone: 3 to 11. Size: The height and width of the object are 18 to 36 inches tall and 18 inches wide Growing conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil
Kale
The cultivation of kale in the sun and moist soil is essential for a successful winter harvest. Be mindful of a specific bug while preparing your fall produce. Miuccio suggests using summer-weight fabric to cover hoops on plants and prevent the small white butterfly of the cabbageworm from laying eggs.” This is a simple and natural remedy. “.”
Zone: 7 to 10. Size: 12 to 24 inches tall x 12 to 24 inches wide Growing requirements: Full to partial sun; well-drained soil
Cauliflower
It takes an average of 50 to 80 days to grow this plant. Similar to other brassicas, this crop should be planted in the ground almost 10 weeks before the first frost for a healthy winter harvest. You can keep this cold-weather brassica crop healthy by Removing plant debris From your winter vegetables garden—this will also help to keep bugs away during the winter
Zone: 2 to 11. Size: 12 to 14 inches tall x 12 to 18 inches wide Growing conditions: Full sun; rich, well-drained soil