Here’s some good news for avid gardeners: the cold weather doesn’t have to mean saying goodbye to your favorite hobby.

Whether you’re someone who operates a commercial greenhouse or your crop growing is just for you and your family, you should know that there are all kinds of produce you can grow through the winter. These tough, sustainable crops may just make you wonder how they manage to stand up to the cold weather while you need seven layers to go outside!

What’s more, the addition of RainSoil to your winter grow with supplemental coconut coir will give your plants what they need to make it through these tough months. Our quality products are for people who are serious about horticulture and crop production and are looking for a way to sustain their produce or planting through the toughest conditions

Read on to discover what kinds of vegetables will thrive throughout this long, cold season. Then bundle up and get ready to grow!

 

1- Asparagus

Why spend a fortune on asparagus at the grocery store when you can harvest your own?

It’s best to start an asparagus bed ASAP as it takes a while to see the results. If you put in the work now, your asparagus will be ready to harvest in two years. While that may sound like a long time, these beds continue to produce asparagus crowns for 25 years. Go with traditional green asparagus or get adventurous with white or purple varieties.

 

2-Radishes

Not only are radishes at the grocery store expensive, but they’re often not of the best quality. They sometimes come in either rock- solid or bone-dry.

By growing your own radishes, you can put yourself in control of quality. Seed varieties recommended by Marin Master Gardeners include French Breakfast, White Icicle, and Pink beauties. Unlike asparagus, radishes are a quick, easy, low maintenance crop. You’re likely to see results in as little as a month.

 

3- Peas

Peas are a hearty crop that, if planted in the autumn, will be ready to harvest by spring.

When planting peas, remember to put a stake in the ground so they have something to climb as they grow. Thompson-Morgan suggests the varieties Pea “Kelvedon Wonder” and Pea “Meteor.” Long lists of other varieties are available with a quick search.

Quick Tip: Peas are a bird’s favorite snack. It’s recommended that you cover your crops with something that doesn’t block the sun such as a floating row cover.

 

4- Potatoes

If you’re getting a late start on your winter garden, potatoes are the perfect crop for you as the best time to plant them is in February. They grow quickly and will be ready to harvest around April.

Harvesting potatoes is a fun activity for the whole family as it involves digging and excavating. Not only does the harvest double as an outdoor scavenger hunt of sorts, but when it’s over you’re left with a hearty crop ready to be mashed or stewed.

 

5- Onions

Red and white onions, shallots, and scallions are all popular winter crops. While onions and shallots have a long wait time (they won’t be ready to harvest until the summer), scallions grow quickly and should be ready by spring.

The best thing about growing onions is how low maintenance they are. They essentially care for themselves in the winter time, which is great news for the gardener who’s not too keen on the cold. Onions thrive best in rich, healthy soil, so keep RainSoil in mind if you’re looking to supplement your grow.

 

6- Garlic

Garlic is another crop that’s easy to grow and doesn’t need much attention. In fact, you shouldn’t even be watering garlic until you see the shoots come up out of the soil. Like onions, it takes a while to grow and won’t be ready to harvest until the summer.

If you plan on cooking your garlic into meals, choose a hardneck variety of garlic. If you prefer roasted garlic or using raw garlic, softneck garlic has a creamier, sweeter taste to it.

 

7- Swiss Chard (and Other Greens)

There’s no better way to brighten up the appearance of your winter garden than with neon red, yellow, and pink swiss chard stalks. Swiss chard isn’t only easy to grow but it continues to grow all year round.

Spinach, bok choy, and kale are also winter crops. They’re equally easy to grow and will make a fabulous base or addition to any salad.

 

8- Lettuce

Not all kinds of lettuce are suitable for your winter garden, but certain kinds will do just fine. A few of these many varieties include heirloom, redleaf, and mesclun (a combination of several different greens including arugula, chervil, cress, and more).

It’s recommended to sow seeds for your lettuce nursery in January of February. Growing lettuce requires regular care such as soil maintenance and frequent watering.

 

9- Carrots

While carrots may not fare well when being left out to brave the winter elements, they are a perfect winter greenhouse crop. Certain types of carrots such as Adelaide grow exceptionally fast. Plant them in November for an early spring harvest.

 

10- Broad Beans

Broad beans are another quick- growing crop that is best to plant in late autumn. The spectacular thing about them is that you can harvest them while you’re waiting for your other crops to finish, as they’ll be ready in the very early spring. You can even utilize the leaves as a sauteed green, making most of this plant edible and delicious.

 

Remember that no matter what time of year you’re growing produce, using RainSoil can help you to reduce water consumption and improve agricultural practices. Best of luck with your wintertime grow!