13 Plants You Should Grow Before Winter Arrives
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With winter on the horizon, many gardeners are starting to feel a little disappointed that their green fingered exploits are nearing their end for the year.
There are plenty of plants you can sow before the first frost arrives and some you can even sow in cooler temps. No matter where you’re planting, in your backyard, in containers, or even indoors, there are plenty of ways to keep your garden alive and kicking in the winter.
Let’s dig into some great options to grow to keep the gardening momentum going.
Garlic
When it comes to winter planting, garlic is a superstar. Plant those cloves in the ground a few weeks before the first frost, and they will take care of the cold weather underground while you stay inside. Once spring rolls around, you’ll have garlic you can harvest. It’s easy to maintain and its addition to your cooking gives it a kick. What’s not to love?
Spinach
Spinach does well in cooler temperatures, so it’s a good plant to get in the ground before winter. It’s quick to grow and can tolerate a light frost, so you’ll have fresh greens right when everything else is starting to come to a halt. All you have to do is plant a row of seeds in the soil and in no time at all you’re picking fresh leaves for salads or sautés.
Carrots
While carrots are a summer crop, they really prefer the cold. They’ll happily hang out under the soil, growing sweeter as the weather cools, and you can plant them in late summer or early fall. They’re great for pulling up in the dead of winter when the rest of your veggies have been pulled up for months.
Kale
This hardy green just laughs in the face of cold weather. Frost can actually sweeten its leaves. To get some of the most nutritious, fresh greens around, plant kale before the winter chill sets in and you’ll be harvesting into the colder months. Kale is great in soups, smoothies, or even sautéed — you’ve got to love kale.
Radishes
The radish is a fast grower—According to the University of Florida, sometimes it will take as little as four weeks, so if you are in a hurry, you can fit one in before the freeze. They can also tolerate cooler weather, so they’re great for fall planting, too. They are a great addition to salads or snacks, and as they grow so fast you’ll soon feel like a real gardener.
Lettuce
Lettuce is another cool season green that can take a bit of frost, like spinach. Grow some varieties before winter and you’ll have fresh salad ingredients just when you think your garden is done for the year. Just make sure to put a light cloth over them on colder nights so that they will continue to go even longer.
Onions
Fall is a great time for onions to get a head start. You can plant onion sets before winter, and they’ll slowly grow under the soil all winter long, ready to burst into life come spring. They’re one of the easiest things to grow and don’t require much attention: Just plant them, mulch them, and forget about them until spring.
Beets
Another root vegetable that does well planted before winter is beets. Like carrots, they like cooler temperatures and their flavor gets even better with a little frost. Beets are a great addition to your winter garden, whether you like the greens, the roots or both.
Broccoli
Broccoli, on the other hand, likes cooler temperatures and will happily survive a frost, so it’s a good candidate for fall planting. Begin it in late summer or early fall and it will continue producing right through the chilly months. Nothing beats harvesting your own broccoli, when it’s so much fresher than what you’ll find at the store.
Peas
Surprisingly, peas are cold hardy and do well when sown in cooler months. They can be planted before winter and then enjoyed in early spring. Plus, they make an excellent snack straight off the vine or tossed into stir fries and soups.
Swiss Chard
Another hardy green, very beautiful, is Swiss chard which can take light frost. It is a great plant to have in any garden, even in the off season, its vibrant stems and deep green leaves make it a nice addition. It grows rapidly and keeps bearing, so you will have a constant supply of fresh greens through the cooler months.
Cabbage
Now is the ideal time to plant cabbage as cool weather and frosty nights make for a happy cabbage. It does take a bit of time to mature, but the payoff is worth it: especially if you’re making hearty soups or sauerkraut in the dead of winter.
Parsley
Parsley isn’t just a garnish; it’s a cold hardy herb that can take frost and even snow. You can plant it before winter and it will just keep growing, so you’ll have fresh herbs for the whole season. If the weather outside gets too harsh, you can even grow it indoors. Fresh parsley is a great thing to have at your fingertips, especially when winter cooking.
