While planting may not be practical in the coldest regions of the country, in most places a winter garden is an easy and practical way to beautify your yard and ensure that you have access to fresh produce during the cold months of the year. By planting a winter garden you can enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of your labor all year round.

What to Plant

Depending on your specific climate, there are many vegetables that grow well in winter gardens. Some to consider include broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, carrots, beets, rutabagas, radishes, parsnips, onions, and garlic. A variety of greens are also good options, such as spinach, lettuce, kale, radicchio, watercress, and chard. You can even grow herbs and other delicious offerings like parsley, cilantro, fennel, and certain legumes. Talk with your local agricultural extension agent or consult the USDA’s Plant Hardiness Zone Map to determine which plants will do well during the winter months in your region.

If you don’t want to include vegetables in your winter garden, a good cover crop will protect your bare plots from the elements while also priming the soil for gardening in warmer weather. Popular cover crops that are appropriate for the season include wheat, rye, clover, and fava beans.

When to Plant

Though you are planning a winter garden, you should begin planting in late summer or early fall. Winter vegetables have a longer growing season and you will want your plants to be well established before the chill of December sets in. It’s common to begin planting a winter vegetable garden as early as July, and some plants with the longest growing season (such as garlic) won’t be ready to harvest until the following spring.

When harvesting your summer vegetables, you can begin to replace them with winter plantings. If you plan to scale back your vegetable production during the colder months, you can plant some beds with cover crop instead.

Benefits of a Winter Garden

There are many reasons why people enjoy planting winter gardens. The cooler weather means fewer insects and other pests, while decreased heat and increased rainfall reduces your watering needs. Many gardeners feel a greater sense of accomplishment with producing a successful garden during a less hospitable season, and, of course, the home-grown vegetables are their own reward.

Challenges in a Winter Garden

One of the greatest challenges to a winter garden is the limited amount of sunlight. A garden that receives six to eight hours of sunlight on summer days is likely to see sun for just two to three hours each day during the dark winter months. Planting a winter garden also means taking the time to learn about the needs of different types of vegetables. The hardy stock that thrives in colder weather may also have different needs in terms of soil preparation and growing times. Be sure to consult seed packets, talk with professionals at your local nursery, and do research online to determine how best to plant and care for your winter garden.