Frost Tolerant Vegetables to Grow early Spring

January 31, 2022

Spring is just around the corner and you may be itching to get some seeds started. There’s not much that will be safe in the garden with the on and off frosty temperatures early spring. I’ve got a few vegetable that are frost tolerant and great to grow early spring. These frost tolerant vegetables can handle wind chills below 28° F and heavy frost. Some even becoming tastier after a frost.

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Growing frost-tolerant vegetables in your garden can extend your growing season, allowing you to enjoy fresh produce even in cooler climates. Frost-tolerant vegetables are hardy plants that can withstand chilly temperatures, making them ideal for early spring and late fall cultivation.

One of the key advantages of cultivating frost-tolerant vegetables is the ability to start planting earlier in the year. These vegetables can endure mild frosts, providing you with a head start on the growing season. Examples of frost-tolerant vegetables include kale, spinach, carrots, beets, broccoli, and certain varieties of lettuce.

When planning your garden, consider the USDA hardiness zone of your region to determine the best varieties for your specific climate. Cold-tolerant vegetables often have a lower temperature threshold, allowing them to thrive in colder conditions compared to more heat-sensitive crops.

To optimize your frost-tolerant vegetable garden, start by selecting a sunny location with well-drained soil. Raised beds can be particularly beneficial, as they provide better drainage and warm up more quickly in the spring. Additionally, consider using row covers or cold frames to provide extra protection during unexpected temperature drops.

Watering practices are crucial for frost-tolerant vegetables. Adequate hydration helps the plants withstand the stress of cold temperatures. Mulching around the plants can also help conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature.

As the weather cools in the fall, frost-tolerant vegetables often become sweeter and more flavorful, enhancing the taste of your harvest. Experiment with different varieties to discover which ones thrive in your specific conditions.

Overall, incorporating frost-tolerant vegetables into your garden can be a rewarding experience, offering a diverse and fresh bounty for a more extended period throughout the year. With proper planning and care, you can enjoy a successful and productive garden even in cooler climates.

Frost Tolerant Vegetables

Turnips

Turnips are a root vegetable with a spicy raw taste and an earthy cooked flavor. They grow best is spring and fall and can handle temps as cold as 26°.

Spinach

A delishly healthy leafy green that can carry on through cold temps like a champ. It does so well it can handle temps down to 20°F, making it a perfect cold tolerant vegetable for the early spring garden

Garlic

Garlic is extremely cold tolerant and is a great vegetable to add to the garden in late fall for a summer harvest. You can even start your garlic bulbs in late winter for a summer harvest but note that your bulbs will be smaller at harvest.

Rutabaga

The Rutabaga is a frost tolerant plant being able to survive a hard frost. While the foliage will be lost to the cold but the root can still be harvested.

Broccoli

A favorite vegetable of many Broccoli is a frost tolerant crop. Broccoli can be planted a few weeks before the first frost free date. Growing Broccoli in temps as low as 28° F should be ok for Broccoli and you should definitely give it a grow.

Pro Tip: Using a row cover, Cloche or cold frame can extend your garden season well into winter.

Carrots

Carrots are great frost tolerant vegetables to grow in early spring. They can handle temperatures as low as 15° F. Carrot seeds are so tiny you will want to start them directly in ground.

Kale

Kale is one of my favorite vegetable to eat after potatoes. What’s great is that Kale can handle temperatures as low as 10°F! That’s so exciting for those of us in cold zones like mine.

Cabbage

Cabbage make a great plant to grow in early spring. It can hold its own when temperatures drop as low as 20°F

Brussel Sprouts

Another favorite of mine that is also a frost tolerant vegetable to an extent. It grows best in cool weather and can handle a hard frost but not multiple. Its best to harvest Brussel Sprouts before or right after a hard frost.

Kohlrabi

This Vegetable grows best in cooler weather and like the Brussel Sprout will not handle multiple hard frost like some other vegetables. It is still worth it to grow in mid to late spring.

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Happy Gardening