Sasha CampbellMany food crops grow well in cool weather [1]. Some can even grow through winter in mild areas.
In colder places, plant growth may slow or stop during winter. However, mulch, row covers, cold frames, and other forms of protection can help plants survive.
Cold weather can also improve the flavor of certain vegetables. Carrots, kale, collard greens, parsnips, and Brussels sprouts may taste sweeter after frost.
Cool-Season Vegetables and Herbs
Here are some vegetables and herbs that grow well during the cooler parts of the year.
1. Arugula
Arugula grows quickly in cool weather. It can handle light frost, and mature plants may survive colder temperatures with protection.
Hot weather can make the leaves taste strong or bitter. Plant arugula in early spring or late summer for the best flavor.
2. Beets
Beets grow well in cool, moist soil. They can also handle a light frost.
Mulch can help protect the roots when colder weather is expected. You can harvest both the roots and the leafy tops.
3. Bok Choy
Bok choy grows best in mild, cool weather. Mature plants can handle light frost, but a hard freeze may damage the leaves.
Use a row cover when temperatures are expected to fall below 30°F. You can harvest the whole head or pick a few outer leaves at a time.
4. Broccoli
Broccoli grows best in cool weather. Mature plants usually handle cold better than young seedlings.
Some varieties can survive frost, especially when protected. However, a sudden hard freeze may damage the head.
5. Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts need a long growing season. Plant them early enough so the sprouts can mature during cool fall weather.
A light frost can make the sprouts taste sweeter. Established plants may even survive snow and freezing temperatures with protection.
6. Green Onions
Green onions grow well in cool weather. Their growth may slow during winter, but established plants often begin growing again in spring.
Mulch can help protect their shallow roots. Cold tolerance will depend on the variety and how low the temperature falls.
7. Cabbage
Cabbage is a hardy cool-season crop. Established plants can handle frost, but very low temperatures may damage the outer leaves.
Plant cabbage early enough for the heads to form before the coldest part of winter.
8. Carrots
Carrots grow well during the cool season. Most varieties take about two to three months to mature, but some need more time.
Cold weather can make carrot roots taste sweeter. In many areas, you can leave mature carrots in the ground under a thick layer of mulch. Harvest them as needed if the soil is not frozen.
9. Cauliflower
Cauliflower prefers cool weather, but it is not as cold-hardy as cabbage or kale.
It usually handles light frost. However, a hard freeze can damage the head, so cover the plant when very cold weather is expected.
10. Collard Greens
Collard greens are among the more cold-hardy leafy vegetables. Established plants can survive frost, and the leaves often taste sweeter after cold weather.
Their exact cold tolerance depends on the variety and growing conditions.
11. Garlic
In cold climates, garlic is usually planted in fall. The cloves form roots before winter and begin growing again in spring.
The bulbs are normally ready to harvest the following summer. This means fall-planted garlic often grows for about eight or nine months rather than a full year.
12. Kale
Kale is one of the best vegetables for a cool-season garden. It can survive frost, and cold weather may make the leaves sweeter.
Snow can help insulate kale from severe cold. However, heavy, wet snow may bend or break some leaves. Mulch and row covers can provide extra protection.
13. Kohlrabi
Kohlrabi grows best during cool weather. A light frost may improve its flavor.
However, very low temperatures can damage it. Whether it survives winter will depend on your climate, the variety, and the protection you provide.
14. Leeks
Leeks grow slowly, but many varieties handle cold weather well. You may be able to harvest them during winter if the soil is not frozen.
Place mulch around the plants to protect the roots and make winter harvesting easier.
15. Lettuce
Lettuce prefers cool weather over summer heat. Many varieties can handle a light frost, but a hard freeze may badly damage the leaves.
Use a row cover or cold frame when freezing weather is expected.
16. Mustard Greens
Mustard greens grow quickly during spring and fall. Established plants can usually survive frost, although cold tolerance varies by variety.
Row covers can protect the leaves during very cold weather.
17. Parsley
Parsley grows well in cool weather and often survives light frost. It may continue growing slowly through winter in mild climates.
In colder areas, protect it with mulch, a row cover, or a cold frame.
18. Parsnips
Parsnips are hardy root vegetables. Cold temperatures change some of their stored starch into sugar, which can make the roots taste sweeter.
You can often leave mature parsnips in the ground under mulch and harvest them during winter or early spring.
19. Celery
Celery prefers mild, cool weather. However, it does not tolerate severe cold as well as kale, cabbage, or collard greens.
It can handle a light frost for a short time. Protect it if a hard freeze is expected.
20. Radishes
Radishes grow quickly and prefer cool weather. Many varieties can handle frost, but a long, hard freeze may damage the roots and leaves.
Some winter radish varieties are more cold-hardy than small spring radishes.
21. Rhubarb
Rhubarb is a cold-hardy plant that returns each year. The top of the plant dies back in winter, while the crown remains alive underground.
New leaves and stalks may be damaged by a late spring freeze, but the plant often grows back. Never eat rhubarb leaves because they contain toxic compounds.
22. Spinach
Spinach is one of the most cold-hardy leafy vegetables. Established plants can survive frost and may grow through winter with protection.
The leaves usually taste best when the weather is cool.
23. Peas
Garden peas grow best in cool weather. Young plants can handle light frost, but flowers and developing pods are more easily damaged.
Plant peas early enough to harvest them before hot weather arrives.
24. Turnips
Turnips grow quickly in cool weather. Both the roots and leaves are edible.
Established plants can handle frost, and the roots may taste sweeter after cold weather.
These crops do not all have the same cold tolerance. Some hardy vegetables can survive temperatures below 28°F for a short time. Others only tolerate a light frost between 28°F and 32°F [2].
Cold-Hardy Fruit Plants
Fruit trees and berry plants do not normally produce fruit during winter. Instead, many of them rest during cold weather and begin growing again in spring.
Choose varieties that can survive the lowest winter temperatures in your area.
25. Apples
In cold areas, bare-root apple trees are usually planted in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. Potted trees can often be planted later.
Most apple trees produce fruit from late summer through fall. Some low-chill varieties can also grow in warm climates.
Most apple trees need another apple or crabapple variety nearby that flowers at the same time. This allows the flowers to be pollinated and helps the trees produce fruit.
26. Pears
Bare-root pear trees are often planted in early spring while they are still resting. Fall planting may work in mild climates.
Choose a variety that matches your climate. Many pear trees need another pear variety nearby that flowers at the same time for good pollination.
27. Raspberries
In cold climates, bare-root raspberries are normally planted in early spring. They grow and produce fruit during the warmer months.
Some raspberries produce fruit in summer. Fall-bearing types may produce from late summer into fall.
28. Strawberries
Strawberries return each year, but their ability to survive winter depends on the variety and local temperatures.
Everbearing strawberries usually produce one crop in early summer and another in late summer or fall. Day-neutral types may produce berries over a longer period.
In cold areas, cover June-bearing and everbearing strawberries with clean straw after the plants become dormant and the soil stays cold. Do not apply the straw too early [3].
29. Sweet Cherries
Sweet cherry trees need full sun and well-drained soil. In cold climates, bare-root trees are usually planted in early spring while they are still resting.
Fall planting may be suitable in mild areas. Most sweet cherry trees need another cherry variety nearby that flowers at the same time for pollination. However, some varieties can produce fruit on their own.
Helping Plants Survive Cold Weather
Choose a sunny planting area with well-draining soil. Avoid low spots where cold air and water collect.
Give each plant enough room to reach its mature size. Crowded plants receive less sunlight and may be more prone to disease.
Planting time is also important. Vegetables need enough time to establish before severe cold arrives. Check the seed packet to learn how many days the crop needs to mature.
Using Mulch and Row Covers
Mulch protects plant roots and crowns from sudden changes in soil temperature. It also helps the soil hold moisture.
Place mulch around the plants without pressing it tightly against their stems. Leaves, clean straw, and other natural materials can work well.
Row covers can protect vegetables from light frost and cold wind. Heavy covers provide more protection than thin ones, but they also block more sunlight.
The heaviest row covers may protect cold-tolerant plants when temperatures fall to around 20°F for a short time [4]. However, no cover can protect every plant from severe or long-lasting cold.
Place the cover over hoops so it does not press heavily against the leaves. Hold the edges down with soil, boards, stones, or garden pins so cold air cannot easily enter.
Remove or open heavy covers on warm, sunny days if the plants are getting too hot.
Know Your Climate
Planting times depend on your location. Check your average first fall frost and last spring frost dates. A local planting calendar can also tell you when to sow each crop.
The USDA hardiness-zone map is most useful for choosing plants that return each year, such as rhubarb, strawberries, berry bushes, and fruit trees. It is based on the average lowest winter temperature in each area [5].
For vegetables that must be planted again each year, frost dates, current weather, and the number of days needed for the crop to mature are more useful than the hardiness zone alone.
Takeaway
A cool-season garden can provide fresh food during fall, early winter, and spring. In mild climates, some vegetables may grow all winter.
Choose crops that match your local weather. Plant them at the right time, add mulch when needed, and use row covers during cold nights.
With good planning, you can continue harvesting food long after many warm-season crops have finished.
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