Winter Gardening Guide

Fresh salads in January? Absolutely! With the right techniques and crop selection, you can harvest vegetables throughout winter, even in cold climates.

Understanding Winter Gardening

The key insight: you're not really "growing" in winter—you're "harvesting." Plants need to reach harvest size by mid-fall, then cold protection keeps them fresh for picking.

The Persephone Days

When daylight drops below 10 hours, most plants stop growing. Count backward from this date to determine planting times for winter harvest.

Cold Protection Methods

Row Covers

• Add 2-8°F protection depending on weight
• Light row cover: frost protection, insect barrier
• Heavy row cover: extends season 4+ weeks
• Affordable and easy to use

Cold Frames

• Add 10-20°F protection
• Bottomless boxes with transparent lids
• South-facing, sloped for sun exposure
• Ventilate on warm days (above 40°F)

Low Tunnels

• Hoops covered with plastic or fabric
• Quick to install over existing beds
• Double layer = double protection

High Tunnels / Unheated Greenhouses

• Walk-in structures with no heat
• Zone shift of 1.5 hardiness zones
• Grow spring crops through winter

Cold-Hardy Crops

Hardiest (survive to 0°F with protection)

• Mâche (corn salad)
• Spinach
• Kale and collards
• Leeks
• Parsley
• Scallions

Hardy (survive to 15°F with protection)

• Lettuce (especially winter varieties)
• Swiss chard
• Arugula
• Carrots (in ground under mulch)
• Beets

Best Winter Lettuce Varieties

• Winter Density
• Rouge d'Hiver
• Arctic King
• North Pole

Planting Timeline

• August: Plant lettuce, spinach, Asian greens
• September: Plant mâche, claytonia, kale
• October: Last plantings under protection
• November-March: Harvest only (minimal growth)

Winter Gardening Tips

• Harvest on warm afternoons when plants are thawed
• Ventilate cold frames when sunny (temps can soar!)
• Water sparingly—cold, wet roots rot
• Harvest outer leaves, leave center to regrow
• Snow is a great insulator—don't panic!