It is challenging to decide which crops to grow during winter because most of them seem to wither. Most of the times, people don’t plant anything during the cold season; however, there are plants that love the cold and thrive in these temperatures.
If you love gardening, you can still practice your craft during winter.
When Should You Sow Vegetables for Winter Harvest?
When can you sow winter vegetables? The best time to sow for winter harvest is during spring or when summer is starting. This is because it takes more than a month for the vegetables to mature. Winter crops can withstand the low temperatures, and you can harvest them throughout the season.
Tips for Growing Vegetables to Harvest in Winter
Although many plants wither during winter, you don’t have to worry about your crops. You ought to plan appropriately to have adequate plants during this season. Although frost can add flavor to your winter crops, they still need protection from extreme cold. Reading labels helps.
Soil is a crucial factor when it comes to growing winter vegetables. You ought to keep the soil warm for the plants to thrive. If you live in a very cold environment, don’t let the soil freeze because growth slows as temperatures lower. There are also useful resources, such as homemakerguide.com with excellent information.
Best Vegetables to Grow in Winter
Now that you know that plants can thrive in winter, you ought to understand which ones to grow. The following list contains vegetables that do well in the cold season:
Onions and Shallots
Did you know that onions and shallots are winter crops? Green onions and shallots thrive well in cold and rainy seasons. You can plant the onions from cuttings or seedlings. The good thing about onions is that you can grow all types and species during winter.
Kale
Kale is an awesome winter vegetable, and some species have been known to withstand even more harsh conditions. This crop can grow in low-temperature soils as well as during the hot seasons. Kale is one of those vegetables which taste better after exposure to cold.
Parsley
Salad lovers know how much parsley makes the dish taste good. It can be tasteless to eat your favorite salad without parsley; however, this is a winter vegetable, and it thrives in the cold. In fact, it is an all year-round crop.
Garlic
Garlic tastes better in winter. Ensure that you sow your garlic during fall so the bulbs can grow during winter. You can plant any species of garlic because they all thrive in winter; that is why they are known as winter crops.
Lettuce
Which are the best vegetables to grow during winter? You ought to consider lettuce, which thrives when grown in the shade. It can also sprout in the ground or a pot. You can either plant the leafy varieties or focus on the butter crunch type. The leafy type thrives so well and produces large succulent leaves during winter.
Spinach
If you have are an expert in crops, you know that planting spinach can be quiet challenging because they attract a lot of pests. However, it is crucial to remember that most pests hide during winter, this means you can plant and enjoy your Spinach. All spinach species grow during winter.
Peas
Did you know that peas are also winter crops? You can grow a variety of peas species, and they grow well during this season. You can also sow during spring to enjoy your crops in winter or to harvest before others.
Carrots
Carrots taste better in winter because their flavor improves as the temperatures go down. Start planting your carrots in summer and practice mulching to prevent freezing. Remove the mulch when harvesting and enjoy your carrots.
Asparagus
Asparagus are the ideal winter vegetables to grow, especially if you have adequate space. You can create a permanent Asparagus bed during autumn. An asparagus crown produces around 25 buds a year, and they continue to sprout for 25 years.
Issues that can Arise
Although not all plants do well during winter, the ones that do might not flourish when neglected. Some leafy crops might start bolting when under stress. You also need to protect your cabbages from pests such as caterpillars.
Some vegetables like broccoli and Brussels sprouts can easily develop club roots. Flea beetles love leafy vegetables. Also, be aware of snails and slugs which destroy seedlings and leaves.
Conclusion
Winter is a time when most plants stop growing or whither; however, some crops withstand this climate and even taste better. You can start growing your winter crops in autumn or summer. The best thing about winter vegetables is that you can grow a variety of species, and they will all flourish. Although these plants do well in the cold climate, you ought to care for them.
