Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →

What Vegetables to Plant in a Winter Garden?

If you want to get the most out of your garden space, especially if you do not have a lot of space, plant vegetables in your garden during the winter months. You can plant some vegetables in your garden in the late fall and let them winter over, and in the spring you can harvest those vegetables before you plant your traditional spring and summer vegetables.

Garlic

Plant your garlic bulbs just after the first frost of the year. Depending on what zone you live in, that would be somewhere between October and November. If you live in an area where you do get some snow, it is a good idea to cover your planted garlic bulbs with hay or some other light mulch to give them a little bit of protection from the elements. You should be able to see the tops of the garlic peeking out of the soil in early spring. This is the time for harvesting. Use a pitchfork to gently lift up the soil around the garlic and then use your hands to remove it.

Onions

Onions thrive in cooler temperatures. Although you should not plant onions in the fall in cold climates, you can plant them in January or about eight to 10 weeks before the last frost. You can plant onions from seeds or from sets. Most people have better luck when it comes to planting sets instead of seeds, which take a long time to germinate. If you live in a zone that does not get any frost, you can plant onions in the fall for a winter harvest.

  • Plant your garlic bulbs just after the first frost of the year.
  • Use a pitchfork to gently lift up the soil around the garlic and then use your hands to remove it.

Spinach

Plant your spinach in the fall. Spinach prefers the cooler temperatures of fall and early winter. Spinach can handle some frost. One of the keys to planting spinach for a winter harvest is to chill your seeds in the refrigerator for two weeks before you plant them in the ground. This helps get your seeds accustomed to the cool weather and will help seeds that do not germinate in the fall survive winter and sprout for a very early spring harvest.

Carrots

Carrots and other root crops such as turnips and parsnips can be planted in a winter garden. Plant the seeds in the fall while the ground is still somewhat warm and definitely before the first frost. Because of the cooler temperatures, the plants will grow slowly and will continue to grow throughout the winter months. The vegetables should be ready in February or March depending on what zone you live in.

  • Plant your spinach in the fall.
  • One of the keys to planting spinach for a winter harvest is to chill your seeds in the refrigerator for two weeks before you plant them in the ground.

Related Articles

How to Transplant Allium
How to Transplant Allium
Georgia Winter Vegetable Garden
Georgia Winter Vegetable Garden
What Vegetables Can I Plant in September?
What Vegetables Can I Plant in September?
How to Plant and Purchase Garlic Bulbs
How to Plant and Purchase Garlic Bulbs
How Long Does it Take to Grow Arugula?
How Long Does it Take to Grow Arugula?
How to Plant Garlic in New York
How to Plant Garlic in New York
What Seeds to Plant When in Virginia
What Seeds to Plant When in Virginia
What Flowers to Plant in February
What Flowers to Plant in February
What Happens to Collard Greens After the First Frost?
What Happens to Collard Greens After the First Frost?
How to Plant and Care for Texas Supersweet Onions
How to Plant and Care for Texas Supersweet Onions
Vegetables to Plant in Central Texas in January
Vegetables to Plant in Central Texas in January
How to Plant Garlic Cloves in Your Garden
How to Plant Garlic Cloves in Your Garden
How to Plant Garlic Bulbs
How to Plant Garlic Bulbs
The Best Time to Grow Grass in New Jersey
The Best Time to Grow Grass in New Jersey
How to Grow an Endless Supply of Onions
How to Grow an Endless Supply of Onions
How to Plant Garlic in Utah
How to Plant Garlic in Utah
How to Grow Onion Bulbs From the Supermarket
How to Grow Onion Bulbs From the Supermarket
When to Plant Fall Vegetables in Zone 7
When to Plant Fall Vegetables in Zone 7
How to Plant Onion Sets in Pennsylvania
How to Plant Onion Sets in Pennsylvania
Can Lettuce Handle Some Frost?
Can Lettuce Handle Some Frost?
Garden Guides
×