Winter Veggies for the Cold Weather Gardener

What kind of images do the word winter conjure up in your mind? Of course there's Christmas and the holidays, filled with snow and good cheer, as well as the leaves falling from the trees leaving bare branches all around, but did you know that the winter can also be a season of bounty? You always hear about planting your gardens in the spring and harvesting in the fall but you shouldn't count winter out just yet! There are plenty of great and hardy vegetables that can grow all through winter, meaning your garden will be productive all year round! Here are several vegetables that can grow throughout the winter - depending on your climate.

Looseleaf lettuce. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Winter Lettuce – The name really says it all. There are several varieties of hardy lettuces that are great for growing and picking right through the winter. Depending on how harsh or mild the season ends up being you can decide whether to leave them unprotected or cover them, but in any case you'll never be wanting for a crisp, tasty addition to your meals or salads.

Broccoli – Broccoli is perfect for growing in cold climates or through the winter months. In fact it can even be harder to grow in more tropical climates than it is elsewhere. You can plant and transplant certain varieties of broccoli in the late summer, leaving them primed and ready for picking all throughout autumn and well into the winter months. Eat it solo or on a veggie platter for best effect! 

Asparagus – Perfect for planting in the fall, asparagus takes a bit of work to prepare for and maintain but believe me the work and wait is worth it! Unlike weaker, more frail vegetables, asparagus will keep on trucking right through winter and even the other three seasons for that matter. The asparagus is a champion among vegetables and it will grow underground in the winter, and pop up fresh and tasty spears in the early spring so you can enjoy it freshly cut from your own garden. 

Leeks – Not always on the top of every vegetable gardener's list, leeks are a tasty addition to any winter gardener's menu. They have a wide variety of ways that they can be enjoyed, making them a great choice if you're looking to put something a little different on your plate. Plant leeks and you'll have a vegetable you can pull and enjoy roasted or in soups and stews throughout the winter. 

Kale (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Kale - Kale and other cool-weather greens like mustard and turnip greens may grow well throughout the winter, although you may need to cover them on very cold nights. Cold weather actually makes these greens sweeter, and they are not plagued by pests as they can be during warmer parts of the year.

Kohlrabi – Last but not least is the tasty and rambunctious kohlrabi. Many winter and cold weather vegetables grow will often slowly but kohlrabi kicks that idea to the curb, flourishing in colder temperatures. They grow quickly and taste great, often compared to broccoli or turnips. If you want to try something a little different, kohlrabi is sure to be a perfect addition to round out your winter garden! 

Don't be left out in the cold - make sure your garden is stocked with plenty of these delicious wintery vegetables that you can enjoy all through the cold months while other gardeners are resting on their laurels dreaming of a warm spring!

Video - Fall Gardening

This short video gives a few quick ideas on what to grow in the fall. A number of plants grow better in cooler weather, including many tasty vegetables! If you live in a Southern climate, you may even be able to harvest vegetables from your garden year-round. But even in cooler climates, if you don't have a greenhouse or much space, you can still harvest well into the fall and early winter months, as he demonstrates in this video. (See resources below the video for some more great ideas on this topic.)

Enjoy the possibilities!

Fall Gardening
Master Gardener Kent Phillips talks about planting in the fall and overwintering plants through the cold months of the year. Many people think that gardening season is over when summer ends, but you can continue planting in autumn and produce delicio...


Year-Round Gardening Resources: