12 Winter Vegetables You Can Grow in Fall and Winter

Winter vegetables, also known as cool-season vegetables and winter crops, are hardy vegetables that thrive in cooler temperatures. Plant winter vegetables during the late summer or early fall well before the first frost. Depending on the growing season of that particular vegetable, your winter vegetables should be ready for a winter harvest or early spring harvest. If you live in a climate with particularly cold weather during the winter months, consider protecting your garden bed with a floating row cover or a cold frame.

Explore some of the most popular vegetables to include in your winter garden.

1. 1. Beets: Beets are bright red root vegetables rich in fiber, iron, and vitamin C.
2. 2. Brussels sprouts: Brussels sprouts are small, leafy green vegetables that thrive in cooler weather conditions.
3. 3. Radishes: Typically served as a garnish on tacos or roasted in garlic butter, these root crops are an excellent addition to winter vegetable gardens.
4. 4. Turnips: Turnips are a type of root vegetable known for growing tall leaves above short, bulbous roots.
5. 5. Arugula: These cold-hardy, leafy vegetables have a slightly peppery flavor that is perfect for winter salad mixes.
6. 6. Collard greens: A staple of Southern cooking, collard greens are a nutritious leafy vegetable great for sautéing or mixing into a broth. Sauté these winter veggies as part of a comforting stir-fry dish.
7. 7. Leeks: Leeks have large stems with a flavor similar to that of an onion. Include these winter vegetables in a soup for extra flavor.
8. 8. Parsnips: These cold-hardy vegetables resemble carrots and complement meat dishes when roasted with garlic. Plant parsnips in loamy soil for the best results.
9. 9. Swiss chard: Swiss chard is a sturdy leafy green rich in nutrients like vitamins A and C. These leafy green vegetables work well in winter salads or sautéed as a side dish.
10. 10. Kohlrabi: Kohlrabi is a type of wild cabbage that is rich in potassium, vitamin C, and fiber. Explore several types of Kohlrabi to decide which is best for your garden.
11. 11. Rutabagas: The result of a cross between turnips and cabbages, rutabagas have a slightly bitter taste and are usually yellow or purple in appearance. Mashed rutabagas are the most common preparation, but you can also roast, fry, or blend them into winter soups.
12. 12. Butternut squash: This winter squash is a flavorful base for winter soups, particularly when paired with other vegetables like garlic and onions.

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