Cold Hardy Vegetables let You Get a Head Start on Spring (2024)

These Cold Hardy Vegetables are perfect for the cool weather of early spring and good one to think about planting soon.

Many of us have very cold temperatures going on right now but it’s never too early to plan ahead for vegetable gardening.

With spring right around the corner and daylight savings on the horizon, now is the time to plant these vegetables.

Cold Hardy Vegetables let You Get a Head Start on Spring (1)

The weather here in NC is unseasonably warm right now, so it has my head spinning thinking of all the fun to come in my garden. But, alas, I know that no matter how Mother Nature looks today, there will still be plenty of cold days ahead.

Are you ready for spring? Check out my early spring gardening check list here.

Cold hardiness is an important trait for perennials, since it allows them to come back year after year. For vegetables, it means that you can enjoy them earlier and later in the year.

Be sure to also check out my post for winter flowering plants to add a splash of color to your cold weather garden.

This list ofcold hardy vegetables is not just for early spring gardens. In some of the warmer parts of the country, they will only do well in early spring, or late fall. If you have ever had your lettuce blot in mid summer, you will know what I mean!

I know the temptation that gardeners feel about starting vegetable seedlings early in the year when the summer is unseasonably warm and it seems like the winter is long gone.

But resist the temptation to plant your longed for tomatoes in favor of a few of these vegetables that are much more cold hardy.

These cold hardy vegetables actually enjoy the lower temperatures.

Garden Peas. Cold Hardy Vegetables let You Get a Head Start on Spring (2)

Anyone who has read any of my vegetable gardening posts knows how much I love garden peas. To me, a bowl of shelled garden peas is like eating candy!

Garden peas can be planted as soon as the ground starts to warm up and will tolerate a light freeze.

Most varieties will stop growing when the weather gets warmer, so get these into the ground early! You can choose from sugar snap peas, English peas or snow peas. All love the cold.

Brussels Sprouts.Cold Hardy Vegetables let You Get a Head Start on Spring (3)

My sister in Maine has Brussels sprouts that are the envy of any gardener. She grows them right intothe summer months. I’ve tried – believe me, I really have. But unless I get this vegetable into the ground or plant it late in the summer, I have no luck. Brussels can take a frost easily. The best sprouts are those that have been produced when the days are sunny and there is a light frost at night. They LOVE the cold.

Broccoli.Cold Hardy Vegetables let You Get a Head Start on Spring (4)

This cold hardy vegetable is full of nutrients and cooks in just minutes in the microwave. It is one of my favorite veggies.Broccoli is quite frost tolerant. You can plant it about 3-4 weeks before your average last spring frost date. If you try to grow it when it’s warmer, the buds that make up the floret will start to open up and get bitter. Plant it early so that it has plenty of time to grow before the weather really starts to heat up.

Carrots.Cold Hardy Vegetables let You Get a Head Start on Spring (5)

These delicious vegetables can actually take temperatures down to about -15º! But don’t let that fool you into thinking you can plant them in the winter. Carrots planted late in the fall will continue growing in the winter months, but the lower temps will produce lighter colors. In the spring,they can be safely plantedeven before the last frost date. They take a long time to mature, and are sweeter when grown in cooler temps, so get them in early.

Kale.Cold Hardy Vegetables let You Get a Head Start on Spring (6)

Kale plants are extremely cold hardy. In some areas of the country, they can even survive through the winter months, uncovered. The plantcan withstand temperatures down to about10 degrees, and actually is sweeter if grown when there is frost.

More cold hardy vegetables to grow.

Leeks.Cold Hardy Vegetables let You Get a Head Start on Spring (7)

Vegetables from the allium family, such as leeks, are some of the most cold hardy vegetables out there. Planting leeks in the fall is ideal, and they will survive even hard freezes. But leeksare also an all around vegetable that don’t mind a longer day length and will continue growing into the summer months.

Lettuce.Cold Hardy Vegetables let You Get a Head Start on Spring (8)

For me, growing lettuce means getting it in early, or getting it in late and nothing in between. Lettuce will bolt very easily in hot weather. They are susceptible to a deep freeze but don’t mind a light frost. Oddly, the younger plants can tolerate colder temperatures better than mature plants!

Cabbage.Cold Hardy Vegetables let You Get a Head Start on Spring (9)

Cabbages can takecool temperatures down to about26 º F. They are often planted later in the year for a fall harvest, but if you start them early enough, you can still get a crop before it gets too hot. A light frostimproves the sweetness of cabbages.

Turnips.Cold Hardy Vegetables let You Get a Head Start on Spring (10)

The cold temperatures cause turnips to develop more sugar which tempers their spicy flavor. They need some protection from the coldest temperatures, so growing them in cold frames is a good idea.

Swiss Chard.Cold Hardy Vegetables let You Get a Head Start on Spring (11)

One of the beauties of Swiss Chard is that it is a biennial, and does not produce seed until year two, so it won’t bolt in the summer in the first year. Swiss chard will take temperatures down to 15 º F and willlive through the winter months, and re-grow whenspring starts again.

Find out more about growing Swiss chard here.

Radishes.Cold Hardy Vegetables let You Get a Head Start on Spring (12)

Some varieties of radishes will grow in as little as 20 days. They tend to get more tough and bitter in the warmer months so early and late planting is best for radishes.

Because the vegetable is so fast growing and small, it is a good pick for growing in containers, which makes it great for those who don’t have a big yard.

Thinning radishes is very important, otherwise they will not form round bulbs.

Beets.Cold Hardy Vegetables let You Get a Head Start on Spring (13)

Oven roasted beets are one of my favorite vegetables to put on salads. It brings out their natural sweetness. Beets are not quite as freeze hardy as some of the other root vegetables, but a light frost is no problem at all for them.

Spinach.Cold Hardy Vegetables let You Get a Head Start on Spring (14)

Like many of the leaf vegetables, spinach is very cold hardy. It won’t tolerate a heavy frost, but a light one is fine. Spinach will bolt even before lettuce does when the weather gets warm, so spring and fall is best for it.

OnionsCold Hardy Vegetables let You Get a Head Start on Spring (15)

All varieties of onions are very cold hardy. I have some spring onions that have been in one of my garden beds for 4 years.

They survive the winter, produce in the cold, and keep going strong all through the summer months.

At this stage, I leave the plant in the ground to see if anything will kill it!

Yellow onions are also easy to grow and love the old. I like to grow them from sets.

Garlic.Cold Hardy Vegetables let You Get a Head Start on Spring (16)

You can plant garlic in the spring as soon as the garden is workable but planting garlic in the fall produces bigger bulbs. They are not bothered by even subfreezing temperatures. Garlic is one of the most cold hardy vegetables grown.

Cold hardy vegetables can tolerate light frost and some can even take freezing. Even so, it’s a good idea to get them using to being outside by using cold frames or some other form of covering. By planting them in spring and fall, you can extend your growing season dramatically!

For more tips on vegetable gardening, be sure to visit my Vegetable Garden board on Pinterest.

Would you like a reminder of this post? Just pin this image to one of your gardening boards on Pinterest so that you can easily find it later. And be sure to print out the shopping list in the project card below to take to the store in early spring.Cold Hardy Vegetables let You Get a Head Start on Spring (17)

Admin note: This post for cold hardy vegetables first appeared on the blog in January of 2017. I have updated the post to add a printable shopping list and a video for you to enjoy

Yield: These vegetables can take the cold

Cold Hardy Vegetables Give you a head Start on Spring

Cold Hardy Vegetables let You Get a Head Start on Spring (18)

Get a head start on your spring garden by planting these vegetables early. They can really take the cold temperatures.

Active Time5 minutes

Total Time5 minutes

Difficultyeasy

Materials

  • Computer paper

Tools

  • Printer

Instructions

  • Going Seed shopping? Get a head start on your spring garden with these vegetables.
  • Just print out this list and take it to the store to remind yourself of which seeds to buy.

Instructions

Brassica Family

  1. Brussels Sprouts
  2. Cabbage
  3. Broccoli

Onion Family

  1. Leeks
  2. Garlic
  3. Onions

Root Vegetables

  1. Carrots
  2. Turnips
  3. Radishes
  4. Beets

Leafy Greens

  1. Kale
  2. Lettuce
  3. Swiss Chard
  4. Spinach

Other vegetables

  1. Garden Peas
  2. Sugar Snap peas
Cold Hardy Vegetables let You Get a Head Start on Spring (2024)

FAQs

What is the most cold hardy vegetable? ›

According to Myers, the hardiest vegetables that can withstand heavy frost of air temperatures below 28 include spinach, Walla Walla sweet onion, garlic, leeks, rhubarb, rutabaga, broccoli, kohlrabi, kale, cabbage, chicory, Brussels sprouts, corn salad, arugula, fava beans, radish, mustard, Austrian winter pea and ...

What is cold vegetables? ›

Common cool-season vegetables: asparagus, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, chives, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, Swiss chard, kale, leek, lettuce, onion, parsnips, peas, radishes, spinach, and turnips.

Which vegetables can you sow in the winter? ›

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbages, kale, leeks and parsnips are hardy vegetables and will stand through the winter. Leafy crops such as chard, parsley and rocket should also over-winter with a little protection.

Which vegetable seeds take the longest to germinate? ›

Which of the common vegetables to plant take the longest to germinate? Asparagus has a relatively long germination period, taking from 21 to 28 days to do so. Parsley is another slow-runner, with 18 to 24 days, and okra takes 15 to 20 days.

What is the coldest vegetable? ›

8 Cold-Hardy Winter Vegetables
  • Broccoli. Broccoli continues to produce side shoots once the main head is harvested. ...
  • Brussels Sprouts. Brussels sprouts are the most cold hardy of the cabbage family. ...
  • Cabbage. Cabbage is very cold hardy. ...
  • Endive. Endive is a great addition to a winter salad. ...
  • Kale. ...
  • Spinach. ...
  • Swiss Chard.

What is the most hardy vegetables to grow? ›

Hardy Vegetables: Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Collards, English Peas, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Mustard Greens, Parsley, Radishes, Spinach, Turnips. Semi-hardy Vegetables: Beets, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chinese Cabbage, Endive, Irish Potatoes, Lettuces, Radicchio, Rutabaga, Salsify, Swiss Chard.

What vegetables start in cold water? ›

This rule is simple to remember:
  • Vegetables that grow underground (potatoes, carrots, beets, turnips), should start off in cold water.
  • Vegetables that grow above ground (greens, peas, corn) should be placed into already boiling water.
26 Oct 2015

How cold-hardy are carrots? ›

The carrot tops are cold-hardy down to at least 18°F but the roots can take even colder temps, especially if you pile on a thick layer of straw mulch to insulate them.

Can vegetables grow in the cold? ›

10 Vegetables to Grow in Winter has a good list of suggestions. Options include broccoli, kale, carrots, leafy greens including arugula, lettuces, spinach, and more. Parsley, radish, Swiss chard, and cauliflower are also good, hardy candidates.

What vegetables do you plant in winter for spring? ›

These cold-weather champs are kale, spinach and collards. Other hardy vegetables include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, English peas, kohlrabi and leeks. Hardy root crops are radishes and turnip, which also yields some greens from the tops. Other hardy greens include kale, mustard greens and collards.

What is the easiest vegetable to grow in spring? ›

Here are a few low-maintenance spring fruits and vegetables you can raise—even as a beginner.
  • HONEYDEW. Honeydew is best planted in late spring, when the soil is warm. ...
  • CUCUMBER. Cucumbers are great for spring planting. ...
  • BEETS. Beets are a great choice for early spring. ...
  • CARROTS. ...
  • TOMATOES. ...
  • PEPPERS. ...
  • BEANS. ...
  • BROCCOLI.

What vegetables will regrow after winter? ›

These seven vegetables can be grown as perennials in most zones:
  • Globe artichokes.
  • Asparagus.
  • Jerusalem artichokes.
  • Some members of the onion family.
  • Radicchio.
  • Rhubarb.
  • Sorrel.
27 Aug 2022

What is the quickest growing vegetable? ›

5 Super Speedy Vegetables
  1. Radishes. Sowing to harvest: 25 days. Radishes are one of the fastest vegetables, taking just three to four weeks to reach harvest time. ...
  2. Salad leaves. Sowing to harvest: 21 days. ...
  3. Bush beans. Sowing to harvest: 60 days. ...
  4. Carrots. Sowing to harvest: 50 days. ...
  5. Spinach. Sowing to harvest: 30 days.
9 Jul 2015

What seeds grow in 4 days? ›

Lettuce. Lettuce is first on my list because it's so quick and easy to sprout. It doesn't require any special considerations and it will easily grow right on your kitchen counter. Because lettuce seeds are so small, it's very hard to seed them individually.

Which fruit takes 2 years to grow? ›

Apricot. Even a single tree is enough to grow in the garden because it will produce self-pollinated fruit. This tree grows faster, but it takes 2 years to start bearing fruit. The sweetness of apricots tastes best when fresh.

What is the coldest edible thing on earth? ›

The coldest food in the world is made with liquid nitrogen which can reach temperatures as low as negative 320° Fahrenheit. Examples include Dippin' Dots, or other ice cream, cereal, fruits, or co*cktails prepared by adding liquid nitrogen at the point of sale and eating it shortly thereafter.

What grows best in the cold? ›

Plants That Grow In Cold Weather

Pea, onion, and lettuce seeds will germinate as low as 35 degrees F. (1 C.), meaning they can go in the ground as soon as it is unfrozen and workable. Most other cold weather food crops will germinate in soil as cold as 40 degrees F.

What vegetables grow better in the cold weather? ›

Top 5 Easiest Cold Weather Crops to Grow
  • Collards.
  • Kale.
  • Spinach.
  • Carrots.
  • Fava Beans.

What is the easiest produce to grow? ›

The Easiest Fruits and Vegetables to Grow for Beginners
  1. Bell Peppers. Bell peppers start out green, but they mature to red, orange, yellow, purple and even chocolate brown. ...
  2. Blackberries and Raspberries. ...
  3. Cabbage. ...
  4. Cucumbers. ...
  5. Garlic. ...
  6. Strawberries. ...
  7. Tomatoes. ...
  8. Zucchini and Squash.

What is an easy winter vegetable to grow? ›

Winter vegetables for temperate regions

Some winter vegetables that you can grow in places such as the coastal part of New South Wales and some parts of Victoria include: Peas. English spinach. Green beans.

Why put carrots in cold water? ›

Use water to bring them back to life and keep them crunchy. Bring limp carrots back to life by placing them in ice water until crisp. Better yet, store carrots in water in the fridge to keep them crisp.

What are 5 winter vegetables? ›

15 Winter Vegetables That Are Seriously Good for You
  • Kale. A cruciferous vegetable belonging to the cabbage family, this leafy green can be found year-round, but thrives in cold weather. ...
  • Parsnips. ...
  • Collard Greens. ...
  • Brussels Sprouts. ...
  • Swiss Chard. ...
  • Carrots. ...
  • Broccoli. ...
  • Radishes.
20 Oct 2022

Why do you soak broccoli in ice water? ›

The broccoli should be bright green and somewhat tender when you carefully remove it with a slotted spoon. Then immediately plunge it into the ice bath. What is this? This stops the cooking process and keeps your broccoli from getting overcooked, which could leave it looking mushy and tasteless.

How long can carrots stay in the ground after frost? ›

Carrots can be left in the ground all winter long, but you'll want to harvest all of them before early spring. Once spring arrives, the carrots will flower and will become inedible.

Can lettuce survive a hard freeze? ›

Lettuce may cope with light freezing and even one or two hard freezes, but once the thermometer reads 25°F or below, the plants are in danger. That level of cold causes ice to form in the plant tissue, regardless of the amount of moisture in the air. As the water expands, it causes cell walls to burst.

What temperature kills turnips? ›

Plants that can withstand temperatures from the mid 20's to low 30's include broccoli, turnips, radishes, cabbage and mustards. The foliage on these plants may be damaged a little by cold weather, but the plants should otherwise survive.

Can potatoes grow in winter? ›

Potatoes are a great winter-early spring crop and at this time of the year you will find seed potatoes available in local garden centers and on-line. And there's a potato planting solution for any sized garden! They can be planted in the ground in rows or in mounds, in containers, in potato bags, or in potato towers.

Does celery grow back every year? ›

As a biennial, celery may overwinter in milder climates, producing occasional stems throughout the coldest months and picking up again in spring before finally stretching to flower. You can harvest plants whole, but cutting or picking individual stems as required will keep plants producing over a longer period.

Will broccoli survive a freeze? ›

Frost Hardy

Among the hardiest vegetables are cole crops, which can tolerate moderate (24-28°F) freezes: Broccoli; Cauliflower (26°F) Chinese cabbage; Cabbage; Kale; Kohlrabi; Turnip.

What vegetables do you start in spring? ›

In late February to early March, start cabbages, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, leeks, endive, escarole, fennel, lettuce, and artichokes indoors. In mid- to late March, direct sow peas, spinach, fava beans, and arugula outdoors. Start peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, Swiss chard, and tomatillos indoors.

What can you plant in a cold spring? ›

All of the cool and cold season salad greens can be planted in an early spring cold frame. Common crops like lettuce, spinach, and arugula, as well as lesser known ones like mizuna, mibuna, and broccoli raab. Roots! My favourite roots for cold frames include baby beets, Japanese turnips, radishes, and carrots.

What vegetable can you grow in March? ›

Carrot seeds can also be sown, as well as beetroot, kale, leeks, broccoli, horseradish, chicory, and turnips. Spring onions are also great early vegetables to plant in March, as well as spinach (make sure the soil is enriched with organic matter), peas, shallots and parsnips.

Which vegetable is picked most in spring? ›

8 Spring Vegetables About To Come Into Season
  • Asparagus. The asparagus season (April to May ) is very short, so pay attention while local asparagus is available. ...
  • Herbs and sprouts. Delicate herbs like dill, chives and parsley are early arrivers in spring. ...
  • Salad greens. ...
  • Radishes. ...
  • Peas. ...
  • Spinach. ...
  • Artichokes. ...
  • Rhubarb.
3 Apr 2019

What foods only grow in spring? ›

What's in season in spring (March to May)?
  • Apple.
  • Asparagus.
  • Brussels sprouts.
  • Cabbage (savoy)
  • Carrot.
  • Cauliflower.
  • Cucumber.
  • Lettuce.

What are the only 2 perennial vegetables? ›

Artichoke (Try Jerusalem, also known as Sunchokes.) Asparagus (Keep the bed weed-free, and they'll produce for 20 years or more.

Do tomato plants come back every year? ›

the answer is a resounding yes. In their native tropical growing range, tomato plants are perennials that live for many years. In cold climates, however, they do not survive winter outdoors because they are not frost-tolerant. Because of this, most gardeners grow tomatoes as annuals.

What are the top 5 common veggies that can be planted during winter? ›

Winter vegetables to grow outdoors
  • Beets. Plant beets 6 to 8 weeks before your first expected frost. ...
  • Broad Beans. Slow growing but delicious, broad beans will grow through the winter months if planted in mid to late fall and staked in areas with lots of snow. ...
  • Garlic. ...
  • Cabbage. ...
  • Carrots. ...
  • Kale. ...
  • Onions. ...
  • Peas.
25 Aug 2021

What is the easiest seed to grow? ›

It's official: beans, peas, and pumpkins are among the top ten easiest plants to grow from seed, according to a list created by the Home Garden Seed Association. Also on the list: cucumbers, zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers, lettuce, radishes, and squash.

Which tree gives fruit after 100 years? ›

Java Plum Tree or Jamun Tree

The tree is known to live for about a 100 years. Java Plum commonly known as Jamun is a substantial berry generally oval and elongated with a tarty flavour. The fruit is initially green in color but it tends to change colour as it ripens.

What fruit can I grow from itself? ›

What Vegetables, Fruits And Herbs Can You Regrow From Scraps?
  • Potatoes.
  • Sweet Potatoes.
  • Avocado.
  • Ginger.
  • Root Crops, like Carrots, Turnips, Beets, Radishes, and Parsnips.
  • Celery.
  • Fennel.
  • Garlic, Leeks, Shallots, and Onions.

What is the easiest winter veg to grow? ›

These cold-weather champs are kale, spinach and collards. Other hardy vegetables include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, English peas, kohlrabi and leeks. Hardy root crops are radishes and turnip, which also yields some greens from the tops. Other hardy greens include kale, mustard greens and collards.

Are there any vegetables you Cannot freeze? ›

You can freeze just about any vegetable except celery, watercress, endive, lettuce, cabbage, cucumber and radishes. These foods have a high water content and become soggy and water-logged when thawed.

What is the fastest and easiest vegetable to grow? ›

Radishes. One of the fastest-growing vegetable plants you can grow is radish. Some types are ready to eat in as little as 3 weeks from seeding. They are a cool-season vegetable, meaning they do best in spring or fall, before or after the heat of summer.

Which vegetables grow very fast? ›

8 vegetables that take the least amount of time to grow
  • 01/8Vegetables which you can grown in no time. ...
  • 02/8​Radishes. ...
  • 03/8​Carrots. ...
  • 04/8Spinach. ...
  • 05/8​Salad Leaves. ...
  • 06/8​Beans. ...
  • 07/8​Green Onions. ...
  • 08/8​Bok Choy.
21 Feb 2021

What vegetable is best planted all year round? ›

In particular, artichoke root, also called the Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus), and radishes (Raphanus sativus) grow at any time of the year.

Can you freeze eggs? ›

Yes, you can freeze eggs. Eggs can be frozen for up to a year, although it is recommended to use them within 4 months for freshness. Many people find themselves being left with spare egg whites or yolks after a recipe requiring just one or the other, or even throwing out unused eggs when the box hits its expiry date.

What vegetables are just as good frozen? ›

Frozen vegetables work well in cooked dishes like casseroles, stir-fries, pastas and soups (learn more about our favorite cooking techniques below). Favorite options are broccoli, peas, corn, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and squash.

What foods shouldn't you freeze? ›

But even properly wrapped, the following foods can be problematic to freeze and thaw:
  • Leafy Greens. ...
  • Sauces or Gravies. ...
  • Pudding. ...
  • Cream-Based Soups. ...
  • Non-Fatty Fish. ...
  • Cooked Pasta or Rice. ...
  • Cooked Egg Whites. ...
  • Mayonnaise or Mayo-Based Dressings.
10 Feb 2022

What vegetables will not survive a frost? ›

Vegetables that will not survive a frost:
  • Basil.
  • Beans.
  • Corn.
  • Cucumbers.
  • Edamame.
  • Eggplant.
2 Oct 2021

What veggies grow in 100 degree weather? ›

15 Top Veggies to Grow in the Heat
  • Sweet Potatoes. Sweet Potatoes grow well in summer and produce abundantly in as little as 90 days. ...
  • Southern Peas. Southern Peas, also known as cowpeas are wonderfully versatile. ...
  • Yard Long Beans. ...
  • Hot Peppers. ...
  • Green Beans. ...
  • Okra. ...
  • Zucchini Squash. ...
  • Sunflowers.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Carlyn Walter

Last Updated:

Views: 6070

Rating: 5 / 5 (70 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Carlyn Walter

Birthday: 1996-01-03

Address: Suite 452 40815 Denyse Extensions, Sengermouth, OR 42374

Phone: +8501809515404

Job: Manufacturing Technician

Hobby: Table tennis, Archery, Vacation, Metal detecting, Yo-yoing, Crocheting, Creative writing

Introduction: My name is Carlyn Walter, I am a lively, glamorous, healthy, clean, powerful, calm, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.