As the last frost of winter fades into memory and the promise of warmer days lingers in the air, gardeners everywhere eagerly prepare to usher in the growing season.
But for those living in cooler climates or regions prone to late frosts, selecting the right vegetables to plant in early spring can make all the difference between a bountiful harvest and a disappointing season.
Thankfully, there’s plenty of cold-hardy vegetables that thrive in chilly temperatures, allowing you to kickstart your garden while Mother Nature still clings to her winter cloak.
I live in Canada and we are known to be a colder country. While I don’t live in the coldest parts of Canada, we still have a shorter summer than many places in the US and other countries. I’m always anxious to start planting, but where I live we often can have frost in late May. Many seeds or seedlings can’t be planted until June for us.
However, while many seeds can’t be planted before late May, there are some cool weather vegetables that CAN be planted early because they can withstand a light frost.
Now, I do want to point out that you don’t want to plant any kind of vegetable too early. Yes, these vegetables are cold-hardy, but that doesn’t mean they will withstand a hard frost. They will withstand a light frost. So, I would plant them just a week or two before the last frost date unless stated otherwise.
Let’s talk about the cold hardy vegetables that are light frost tolerant to the best varieties for your garden beds.
Check out these other articles about gardening:
- 10 Easy Vegetables to Grow
- How Many Tomato Plants per Person Should you Plant
- Why and When to Plant a Fall Garden
Understanding Cold Tolerance
Before getting into our list of cold-hardy vegetables, it’s essential to understand what makes these plants resilient to chilly temperatures.
Cold-hardy vegetables possess the remarkable ability to withstand light freezes, hard frosts, and even occasional snowfall, thanks to their genetic makeup and adaptation to cooler climates. I love vegetables like that because, well, it’s easier for me to keep them alive and be successful in my gardening.
These resilient veggies can endure lower temperatures without succumbing to frost damage, making them ideal choices for early spring planting, late summer sowing, and even winter harvests.
With proper care and attention, they can thrive in temperatures ranging from the high teens to just above freezing, ensuring a steady supply of fresh produce throughout the colder months.
Best Cold Hardy Vegetables for Early Spring Planting
1. Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are a staple in any cold-hardy garden, known for their ability to withstand freezing temperatures and even improve in flavor after exposure to light frost. Plant these sturdy brassicas in early spring for a late summer to early fall harvest, providing ample time for the mature plants to develop their signature miniature cabbages.
2. Swiss Chard
With its vibrant rainbow-colored stems and nutritious leaves, Swiss chard is a versatile addition to any garden bed. This cold-tolerant green thrives in cool temperatures and can withstand light frosts, making it an excellent choice for early spring planting and successive sowings throughout the growing season.
3. Root Crops
Root vegetables such as carrots, beets, and turnips excel in cooler weather, making them ideal candidates for early spring planting. These underground gems can tolerate light freezes and continue to grow steadily as temperatures rise, providing a steady harvest of crisp, flavorful roots well into the late fall and early winter.
4. Leafy Greens
From crisp romaine lettuce to tender spinach and peppery arugula, leafy greens are a must-have in any cold-hardy garden. These cool-season vegetables thrive in temperatures ranging from the low 20s to the mid-30s Fahrenheit, making them perfect for early spring planting and successive sowings throughout the growing season. I find leafy greens taste better in early spring as the heat can make them taste bitter.
5. Broccoli Plants
Broccoli is another cold-hardy favorite, prized for its tender florets and nutritious stems. Plant broccoli plants in early spring for a late summer to early fall harvest, ensuring plenty of time for the mature heads to develop before the first frost of winter arrives.
6. Mustard Greens
For a spicy kick in your salads and stir-fries, look no further than mustard greens. These cold-tolerant leafy greens thrive in cool temperatures and can withstand light frosts, making them a perfect choice for early spring planting and successive sowings throughout the growing season.
7. Cabbage Plants
Cabbage is a cold-hardy vegetable that excels in cooler climates, making it an excellent choice for early spring planting. Whether you prefer traditional green cabbage or colorful varieties like red and savoy, these sturdy brassicas can tolerate light freezes and continue to grow steadily as temperatures rise.
8. Bok Choy
Bok choy, also known as Chinese cabbage, is a cold-tolerant green that thrives in cooler temperatures. Plant bok choy in early spring for a late summer to early fall harvest, providing ample time for the mature heads to develop before the first frost of winter arrives.
9. Corn Salad
Corn salad, also known as lamb’s lettuce or miner’s lettuce, is a cold-hardy green that thrives in cool weather. Plant corn salad in early spring for a late summer to early fall harvest, ensuring plenty of time for the mature leaves to develop before the first frost of winter arrives.
Tips for Success
- Know Your Frost Dates: Familiarize yourself with the last frost dates in your area to determine the best time to plant cold-hardy vegetables in early spring.
- Protect with Row Covers: Use row covers or cold frames to shield young plants from frost damage and extend the growing season.
- Monitor Soil Temperature: Pay attention to soil temperature to ensure optimal conditions for seed germination and plant growth. If the soil is still slightly frozen it’s not ready for any kind of planting.
- Consider High Tunnels and Low Tunnels: Explore the use of high tunnels and low tunnels to create microclimates that promote the growth of cold-hardy vegetables.
- Build a Cold Frame: A cold frame can extend your growing season even longer for cold-hardy vegetables. We built one from salvaged materials.
- Harvest Frequently: Harvest mature vegetables regularly to encourage continued plant growth and prevent overcrowding.
Start the Gardening Season Early with Cold-Hardy Vegetables
With a little planning and the right selection of cold-hardy vegetables, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest throughout the cooler months of the year.
Whether you’re planting in early spring, late summer, or even winter, there’s a wide array of cool-season crops to choose from, ensuring plenty of vegetables to fill your garden beds and plates.
Of course, if you want to start more plants earlier than the last frost, you can do that, but just do it inside. Start growing your seeds in the warmth of your home and transfer them to your garden after the threat of frost disappears.
So put on your gardening gloves, grab your seeds, and get ready to enjoy the rewards of vegetable gardening in cooler climates.
