10 Cold Hardy Vegetables That Survive -18C
Is the gardening season too short? Want to extend your garden into winter? Try planting some of these cold hardy vegetables that are great for a winter garden. They can survive -18C with the protection of a greenhouse or cold frame.
Picking cold weather vegetables is one of the 4 ways you can have a 4-season garden. To learn more about how to grow food year round, even in a cold climate, download this free guide.
Learn which 10 vegetables you can add to your fall, winter or early spring garden and extend your gardening season longer than you ever have before.
Watch below or scroll down to keep reading.
Time Stamps:
- 0:58 Arugula
- 1:36 Spinach
- 2:26 Mache
- 3:25 Mizuna
- 4:48 Claytonia
- 5:42 Lettuce
- 8:04 Kale
- 9:20 Swiss Chard
- 10:36 Perennial Onion
- 11:37 Leek
- 11:56 Cilantro
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10 Cold Hardy Vegetables for Winter
1. Arugula
Arugula is an all-time favorite to grow in winter. It thrives both in my greenhouse and cold frames. Arugula and kale are probably my top 2 favorite veggies to grow in winter.
2. Spinach
Spinach was one of the first veggies I tried growing. Although it can be challenging to grow when the weather warms up, it’s actually quite easy to grow when it’s cold.
3. Mache
Mache is one of the most cold hardy vegetables you can grow. In fact, I’ve done a whole video on why I love mache for a winter garden.
4. Claytonia
This is a strange looking vegetable, but it’s a favorite because of the delicate white flowers that grow as the plant grows. The flowers are edible and can spruce up your early spring dishes.
5. Mizuna
I hadn’t heard of mizuna before I started growing my own food. But thankfully I’m open to experimentation. It’s become one of my favorite milder leafy greens to add to my winter garden.
6. Lettuce
Not all lettuce varieties are good for the winter garden. While most lettuce loves cooler temperatures, some are particularly suited to handle winter temperatures. 2 of my favorites are Tango and Salad Bowl.
7. Kale
Kale is much more sweet when grown in winter. Although I grow it year round, I only enjoy eating it fresh off the plant in the fall and winter after the temperature drops.
8. Swiss Chard
Swiss Chard is a year-round favorite leafy green. It does well in summer and in winter, and although some older leaves may suffer on exceptionally frigid days, the plant is all-around a great addition to the garden.
9. Egyptian Walking Onion
This perennial onion is one of the first to pop up in my uncovered garden in spring. The young greens are great to use as a substitute for green onions.
10. Leeks
Shifting gears away from the leafy greens, leeks are a wonderful addition to your cold weather garden. With a bit of protection from the freezing temperatures, they can add a fresh onion taste to your winter dishes.
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