Want to know what frost tolerant vegetables to plant to keep your garden harvests coming when that first frost hits? We’ll explore a variety of hardy vegetables that are well-equipped to withstand the winter chill and continue to flourish. These same veggies can be planted in the garden early spring for earlier harvests!
As gardeners face the fluctuating temperatures and frosty conditions, they might assume that their vegetable-growing dreams must be put on hold. But, with the right selection of vegetables, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest even in the face of freezing weather.
You are going to learn about various vegetables that can withstand a light to hard freeze and how to prolong your growing season.
This post is all about frost tolerant vegetables.
What does frost tolerant mean?
Frost tolerant is referring to the ability to withstand the formation of ice crystals (frost).
The terms “cold hardy” and “frost tolerant” are often used interchangeably but being cold hardy doesn’t necessarily mean a plant is frost tolerant. Cold hardiness primarily refers to a plant’s ability to survive in regions with cold climates.
A light frost occurs when temperatures drop slightly below freezing, typically hovering at or below 32°F (0°C) for a brief period, while meeting the dew point to allow ice crystals to form. A hard freeze occurs in the same manner but when the temperature drops significantly below freezing and persists for an extended period of time.
{Related Post: The Ultimate Guide to Prepare your Garden for Winter in 5 Steps}
Frost Tolerant Vegetables
Kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala)
Can tolerate temperatures as low as 20°F (-6°C) and even lower for short periods.
Survives hard freeze
Here are a few variety options:
- ‘Winterbor’ Kale
- ‘Dwarf Blue Curled’ Kale
- ‘Lacinato’ Kale
Carrots (Daucus carota subsp. sativus)
Carrots are moderately cold-resistant and can handle temperatures down to 20°F (-6°C). Prolonged exposure to extremely low temperatures might cause damage to foliage.
Tolerates light frost
Here are a few variety options:
- ‘Scarlet Nantes’ Carrots
- ‘Mokum’ Carrots
- ‘Napoli’ Carrots
Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)
Spinach is cold-tolerant and can survive temperatures around 15°F (-9°C). However, prolonged exposure to extremely low temperatures might cause damage.
Survives hard freeze
Here are a few variety options:
- ‘Winter Bloomsdale’ Spinach
- ‘Giant Winter’ Spinach
- ‘Tyee’ Spinach
Brussels Sprouts (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera)
Brussels sprouts are quite hardy and can withstand temperatures as low as 20°F (-6°C) without significant damage.
Survives hard freeze
Here are a few variety options:
- ‘Long Island Improved’ Brussels Sprouts
- ‘Diablo’ Brussels Sprouts
- ‘Prince Marvel’ Brussels Sprouts
Leeks (Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum)
Leeks are resilient and can endure temperatures as low as 0°F (-18°C).
Survives hard freeze
Here are a few variety options:
- ‘Blue Solaise’ Leeks
- ‘Winter Giant’ Leeks
- ‘Tadorna’ Leeks
Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata)
Cabbage is quite hardy and can tolerate temperatures down to 20°F (-6°C) or even lower, depending on the variety.
Tolerates light frost
Here are a few variety options:
- ‘January King’ Cabbage
- ‘Savoy Ace’ Cabbage
- ‘Red Express’ Cabbage (for red cabbage)
Parsnips (Pastinaca sativa)
Parsnips can withstand freezing temperatures and can survive down to 0°F (-18°C) or lower.
Tolerates light frost
Here are a few variety options:
- ‘Hollow Crown’ Parsnips
- ‘All-American’ Parsnips
- ‘Andover’ Parsnips
Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla)
Swiss chard is relatively cold-resistant and can handle temperatures around 20°F (-6°C).
Tolerates light frost
Here are a few variety options:
- ‘Bright Lights’ Swiss Chard
- ‘Fordhook Giant’ Swiss Chard
- ‘Rhubarb’ Swiss Chard (for colorful stems)
Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica)
Broccoli is a cold-tolerant vegetable that can withstand temperatures as low as 20°F (-6°C).
Survives hard freeze
Here are a few variety options:
- ‘Calabrese’ Broccoli
- ‘Waltham 29’ Broccoli
- ‘Green Goliath’ Broccoli
Winter Radishes (Raphanus sativus)
Winter radishes can tolerate temperatures down to 20°F (-6°C) without severe damage.
Survives hard freeze
Here are a few variety options:
- ‘Daikon’ Radishes
- ‘Black Spanish’ Radishes
- ‘Watermelon’ Radishes
Turnips (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa)
Turnips are moderately cold-tolerant and can handle temperatures around 20°F (-6°C).
survives hard freeze
Here are a few variety options:
- ‘Purple Top White Globe’ Turnips
- ‘Tokyo Cross’ Turnips
- ‘Golden Globe’ Turnips
Want to extend your growing season?
Extending the growing season into fall and winter is a rewarding challenge. One effective strategy to protect plants from frost is the use of row covers. This simple yet ingenious option acts as a cozy blanket for your plants, trapping heat and preventing frost from settling on delicate leaves. Additionally, implementing mulch can provide further insulation.
This post was all about frost tolerant vegetables.
