15 Foods that Can Grow Well in Winter: Winter Gardening for Beginners | Homesteading and Gardening

Winter gardening for beginners is a way to garden that is easy to manage by choosing easy, cold-hardy plants to grow. Whether you live in a growing zone that has snow or not, there are many frost-tolerant plants and crops that can be easily maintained through winter. In this post, we cover 15 foods that can grow well in winter, and we even talk about their health benefits.

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Hi, I’m Priscilla!

As a young, growing family facing job loss in 2013, with a toddler and a newborn baby, I wanted to learn how to grow food to supplement our rising grocery bill, but I had no experience. So, I called on my mom to help me start my first garden as cheap as possible. I remember her stewarding a small garden from time to time when I was growing up. We started one with blocks, soil, seeds, and a few starters that she helped me invest in. And that’s how I started!

Before I was a homesteading, homeschooling mom I was a professional musician and music teacher. I carried over my teaching experience into homeschooling my children, but I learned it was much different teaching your own children. And, when I started homesteading, I started with NO experience. It was something I never imagined doing. I had to do a lot of researching and learning each season. So, I know how hard it is to start homeschooling and homesteading with no experience! 

After 2020

After the events of 2020, we saw the vital need to learn to grow, raise, and store real God-given food in abundance, and continue homeschooling all of our children. We felt God had a new call and season for us. So in 2021, we left everything behind, and moved from northwest Indiana to southern Georgia. And we just got started!

How we can help you

Now, I’ve homeschooled for 11 years and have 6 children of homeschool age with 1 more in waiting. And, we established our homestead in 2021 with lots of research and no experience. We built up gardens and livestock and had a small farmstead business within 2 years. We stewarded a small farmstead by selling fresh eggs and healthy chickens to many happy customers! Also, we started taking and completing several homesteading courses, and we continue our education every year. And, I’m always looking for ways to make things more time efficient by making them simpler to do and sustainable. When things are simpler, they are more sustainable in our already full lives.

But, an unexpected turn of events landed us in a rental home in an HOA neighborhood while we search for our future land. We proved to ourselves that we could still homestead even with all the restrictions! Therefore, we want to help others do the same, no matter what their skill set is and no matter where they live. Building up all things home will allow us to sustain our families no matter what the future holds!

We are still learning on this adventure every day. But, we knew if we could do it, others could do it too! So, we started this blog to encourage other families to start homesteading and homeschooling, with Christ at the center, for a more abundant life no matter where they live; NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! We offer simple solutions, resources, and encouragement for your Christ-centered beginner homesteading, homeschooling journey.

What is winter gardening?

Winter gardening is gardening with a focus on vegetables and herbs that thrive in cooler temperatures. These plants are typically frost-tolerant. Winter gardening is a way to maximize food production and have fresh produce year-round. Another benefit to winter gardening is that you can grow and eat fresh greens since greens do not always store and preserve the best.

Many people think of winter as a time without fresh greens and only associate summer with fresh greens. However, that is a myth! Almost all greens are frost-tolerant and thrive in cooler temperatures. Winter gardening with greens can also be way easier and more productive because there is little to no disease or pest issues in winter gardening. However, that’s just part of the reason we enjoy winter gardening.

What is winter gardening for beginners?

We talked about winter gardening above. Winter gardening for beginners is basically a way to garden that is easy to manage by choosing easy, cold-hardy plants to grow in proper growing zones. This post does not have an exhaustive list of cold-hardy crops and varieties. But, we give you 15 cold-hardy plants that are also easy maintenance. That means that your winter garden should be simple. If you have followed us you know that we value simple.

Not that we throw out technology and totally clothe ourselves with the “simple” or “minimal” life. But, we value our time and growing our skills to live in abundance now and in the future no mater what the future holds. So, we create simple tools and products, as well as provide people simple information and simple tools for their homesteading and homeschooling journey for an abundant life. Why? Because when something is simple in our lives it becomes sustainable!

How do you garden in snow?

Well, many of these (and other cold-hardy plants not listed here) are frost-tolerant. However, many plants still have a minimum temperature that the plant itself can handle. But, if it snows, snow actually acts like a blanket to plants allowing them to survive even colder temperatures! That’s so cool! So, don’t rush to clean the snow off your garden!

Also, it is good to know how cold of temperatures the plants you choose can handle. A good tip is to specifically choose varieties that are good for winter in your zone making sure the variety can handle your climate’s winter lows. If there are not varieties that can handle the lows in your area, all you have to do is consider a small greenhouse, greenhouse covers for raised beds, or even row crop covers that act like a greenhouse to individual rows of crops. Row crop covers are fairly inexpensive and you can cover them at night or in coldest temperatures, and you can uncover them in warmer temperatures (like the middle of the day or a warm day).

Winter is for rest. Why would you want to grow food with winter gardening for beginners?

Climate for winter gardening.

Well, for us, we live in zone 8b in southern Georgia, and our winters do not get very cold. Last winter was the first snow in so many years that the region like shut down. People prepared like they do for a hurricane! So, needless to say, we have a pretty mild winter to keep growing food in. But, even in cold climates there are several vegetables and herbs that are frost-tolerant and thrive in cooler temperatures.

Keep growing food if you have limited space or smaller gardens.

If you know about our current story, we are living temporarily in a rental home in an HOA neighborhood.. and still homesteading! There are restrictions, like we can’t have our chickens, and space is limited, but we have found several ways to continue homesteading. Some of those are by maintaining a smaller outdoor garden, container garden, and indoor gardening. So, winter gardening in a smaller garden set up allows us to continue producing fresh food and storage crops for our family in a way that is manageable, not overwhelming.

Even if it isn’t a lot of food, every little bit helps. The more you grow the less you need to buy at the store. Since we do not have a lot of land yet that can produce large amounts of food for our family, we love to garden through fall and winter to keep providing vegetables and herbs. Growing in smaller gardens isn’t as overwhelming as large gardens or crops on land, so maintaining, harvesting, and preserving is very manageable for us. Winter gardening helps ensure we have fresh food even in winter.

Less pests in winter gardening!

Winter gardening isn’t usually affected by pests! Cold kills off (or hides) almost all the pests, so it’s one less thing to worry about it, especially here in our southern climate where there are pests I still have yet to identify. Spring and summer gardening will always have the added challenge of pests, but winter gardening AND Fall gardening have not presented us with any pests yet! (Even in our warmer climate.)

Less of ALL the bad stuff = Less challenges

Okay, I’m not saying challenges aren’t good. They are how we learn and grow. But, when it comes to your family’s food supply, you don’t want to mess around. Think about it. I already mentioned less pests. They deserved a mention of their own. But, winter gardening also has less disease and less rot. This is mostly because there is less rain and less humidity. You may live in a climate that gets snow which is moisture, but when properly mulching and protecting, you won’t have to worry about overwatered plants rotting, nor disease.

Also, there is less pollen and cross pollination in winter. Crops will stay pure causing them to be easier to manage. However, the plants you plant in the winter are usually plants that do not require any pollination. So, you aren’t waiting for those bees to come by in the cold weather to make your crops successful. There are also less sprays in the air from commercial farms.

The major challenges of spring and summer gardening are almost completely stripped away in the fall and winter making it the simplest time of year to garden. If you’ve been around here, you know we are all about making things as simple as possible so that life is delightful and sustainable!

No scorching sun or heat in winter gardening.

Yes, I could have grouped this with the challenges above. But, I wanted to chat on this point. Growing food in the garden in winter means that our plants and crops won’t get burned by the heat of the sun like they do in summer here in the south. Frost-tolerant plants and crops that burn up in the summer heat can thrive, even in snow!

Greenhouses are still an option. If it gets extremely cold where you live you may consider a greenhouse or row covers. We, even in the south, use a greenhouse to keep our citrus trees, banana trees, and other tropical plants alive through winter that thrive in summer. So, a greenhouse, or bringing plants indoors, for winter for plants that do better in a warmer climate is an option to keep growing in winter.

Winter gardening can produce fresh food and storage crops.

There are many frost-tolerant plants and crops that allow for both fresh eating and storage. I’ve already mentioned fresh greens, but I’ll mention it again because it’s worth it (and just in case you skipped around, don’t skip this) Another benefit to winter gardening is that you can grow and eat fresh greens since greens do not always store and preserve the best.

Many people think of winter as a time without fresh greens and only associate summer with fresh greens. However, that is a myth! Almost all greens are frost-tolerant and thrive in cooler temperatures. Winter gardening with greens can also be way easier and more productive because there is little to no disease or pest issues in winter gardening. The vegetables, like greens, that grow well in winter are some of the most densely nutritious foods which our bodies crave in winter.

Most root vegetables are also frost-tolerant giving you the ability to continue growing storage crops! This is especially helpful if, like us, you are working with limited space and smaller gardens to provide food for your family. You can keep growing all year without overwhelm in smaller gardens and still provide your family with both fresh produce and storage crops to keep the pantry and freezer full.

15 Foods that can grow in winter: Winter Gardening for Beginners

Now that we have talked about why anyone would want to participate in winter gardening, let’s get to the list of 15 foods that can grow well in winter. This is not an exhaustive list, but this is winter gardening for beginners. So, this just to get you started!

1. Kale

Kale is one of my favorite crops to grow; period. It is one of the healthiest greens and it is so versatile because you can eat it as is in salads or you can add it to soups, stews, smoothies, and more. I love to blanch and freeze kale when I have an abundance which is pretty much every time I grow it. Frozen kale can be added straight to soups and stews as well as smoothies which is our favorite way to use it.

One season I grew 6 kale plants and we had fresh kale for eating (through fall and winter) as well as plenty to blanch and freeze and put in storage before taking out the plants. And, the only real reason I took them out and didn’t see how many seasons it would last is because we were preparing to move. We even gave some to our chickens.

Kale is cold-hardy, can thrive in snow, and actually likes frost. Kale can even have a sweeter taste after encountering frost! If you grow kale in summer you may battle a few pests, but in winter it is pest-free and resilient! Kale is also known for its high amounts of vitamins A, C, and K, providing minerals (even much-needed magnesium), and flavonoids and antioxidants that not only boost immunity, but battle oxidative stress.

Because of these vitamins, minerals, and nutrients kale is a powerhouse that is also known for cancer prevention, heart health, and strong bones. And, what few people know is that vitamin K is a hard vitamin to acquire naturally and is also vital in blood clotting, veins, and blood health in general. Kale is a staple in our fall and winter gardening.

2. Spinach

Spinach can be used in the same versatile ways as kale. It can be used fresh in salads, soups, stews, and smoothies. It can also be blanched and frozen for long-term storage. Spinach, like kale, is frost-tolerant and capable of surviving snow, but spinach can grow rapidly. If you continue to harvest spinach throughout fall and winter, it will promote growth and you can continue enjoying fresh spinach for a long time! There’s no need to pick up that small $6 pack of spinach at the store every week when you can grow a plentiful crop yourself that will keep providing.

Similar to kale, spinach contains vitamins A, C, and K, but it is also rich in fiber and iron. Therefore, spinach is also believed to help with cancer prevention, bone health, and relieve oxidative stress. The fiber content in spinach also helps aid in digestion. Spinach is another staple in winter gardening.

3. Lettuces

There are a number of lettuces that are cold-hardy. Again, we are just going to help you get started, but you may want to look up varieties that thrive in the winter in your growing zone. If you don’t know your growing zone, check it here . And then from there, you can research lettuce varieties for your growing zone.

There are four main types of lettuces, and they all have cold-hardy varieties. The types of lettuces are loose leaf (beginner-friendly and easy to grow), butterhead or bib, romaine, and iceberg or crisphead. Some cold-hardy lettuces to grow during winter gardening are Black-seeded Simpson (loose leaf), Buttercrunch (butterhead), varieties of Romaine, and Iceberg lettuces.

Since there are so many different types of lettuces, it is hard to know the exact nutritional benefits without researching individual lettuce varieties. But, lettuce in general is low in calories, also rich in vitamins A, C, and K, is full of water benefiting hydration, and more. Cold-hardy lettuce varieties are a great beginner-friendly crop for winter gardening.

4. Swiss Chard

Swiss chard is similar to the above three crops. It is a green that is nutritious, versatile, and cold-hardy. Swiss chard is vibrant green meaning full of nutrients, but it is also beginner-friendly because it does not require much care or maintenance to thrive. It is known for enjoying sautéed, in soups and stews, or raw in salads. Swiss chard can continue to produce fresh leaves all winter even in snow.

Swiss chard also has all the health benefits of the three crops above, but also aids in gut health and blood sugar regulation. The health benefits and ease of growing make Swiss chard an excellent crop for winter gardening.

5. Cabbage

Cabbage is very frost-tolerant and even gains more flavor in colder weather. It is a versatile crop that can be used in similar ways as all the greens above. It can be used in soups, stews, and salads, but also for coleslaw and sauerkraut. Sauerkraut is basically fermented cabbage, and if you don’t know, fermented foods are full of probiotics that way surpass the health of any probiotic supplements you find at the store.

Fermented foods are also incredibly easy and inexpensive to make making them a very easy homesteading skill for beginners to learn, as well as add power-packed foods to your family’s diet. Learn how to make all kinds of fermented foods (like sauerkraut) with Lisa Bass here.

Other than the probiotic health benefits of cabbage as sauerkraut, cabbage is high in Vitamin C and K and antioxidants, like other greens. It is also full of fiber which aids in healthy digestion. Cabbage is also believed to benefit heart health and cancer prevention. Cabbage is a favorite among winter gardeners.

6. Broccoli

Broccoli is also a great choice for winter gardening because it is cold-hardy and frost-tolerant. The plant itself is hardy to 26 degrees F, however, if it is covered in snow it can handle even colder temperatures. The idea behind the snow blanket is that the snow preserves the plants in colder temperatures. Broccoli is versatile as it can be consumed raw or cooked in many dishes or as a side.

As far as the health benefits of broccoli, I’m starting to feel like a broken record. Broccoli is also high in Vitamins A, C, and K, as well as fiber and antioxidants like many of the above crops. So, it also supports immunity, aids in digestion, and aids in cancer prevention. One thing that stands out about broccoli is that it may reduce inflammation in the body. Broccoli is another great choice for beginner winter gardening.

7. Cauliflower

Cauliflower is much like broccoli. It handles about the same temperatures and also loves a snow blanket. Cold-hardy and frost-tolerant, cauliflower is high in Vitamin C and K, but also in B9. It has anti-inflammatory properties as well, and it also helps with heart health, digestion, and cancer prevention. Cauliflower can be enjoyed raw or cooked in dishes or as a side. Cauliflower is also easy to grow making it a wonderful option for winter gardening for beginners.

8. Carrots

I do NOT think of gardening without carrots any season of the year. But, carrots can get sweeter from a little cold! They can be orange, white, purple, red, and yellow and make it so fun and fulfilling when you harvest them. Carrots can be stored in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place for several months if stored properly. They can also store right in your refrigerator. However, if you are short on storage space or time, one of the best ways to store root vegetables is to leave them in the ground until you are ready to use them!

Carrots are a staple crop because of their taste, use, storage abilities, and more. Carrots are a staple food that we have on hand every single week. We even buy organic carrots in bulk in the times we have not been able to grow our own, or were between plantings. We use them in soups, stews, as a side, or eat them raw as a snack. They can also be fermented for a whole different and probiotic eating experience and elevated health benefits.

Carrots are known for their high vitamin A content aiding in eye health. But, carrots have many of the same benefits of the other crops we’ve mentioned. It is not a green, but it aids in heart health, immunity, and digestion. The level of antioxidants helps fight free radicals and also helps prevent against chronic diseases. Raw carrots are consider a powerhouse health and fiber snack. In our opinion, carrots are a must for a diet making them a must for every garden season. It is the first crop we think of when we plan our winter gardening for the season, and it is one of the easiest crops for winter gardening for beginners.

9. Radishes

Radishes are another root vegetable that can be store properly or stay in the ground. It is a fast-growing crop. They can be roasted or enjoyed in soups, stews, and more. Radishes are high in vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber helping aid in immunity and digestion. They also aid in heart health, cancer prevention, and lower inflammation in the body. There are even compounds that aid in liver detoxification! Radishes also have a high water content allowing them to aid in hydration and skin health.

Radishes are another hearty and versatile root vegetable that is easy to grow. They have the potential to grow really quickly as well making them a great option for winter gardening for beginners.

10. Turnips

Turnips are another hearty, healthy, and versatile crop. They can also be roasted, enjoyed in soups, stews, and more. Turnip tops and greens can also be consumed and are filled with vitamins and nutrients. Turnip greens add a spicy bite to salads, soups, or stews. You can add it to a super sweet smoothie to use them up as well. Just don’t use too much or it may overpower.

You guessed it. Turnips are also high in vitamins A, C, and K, and also aid in heart health, digestion, cancer prevention, immunity, and inflammation. I think this is a sign that our bodies NEED these things during the winter months more than we realize! Turnips are also high in calcium, potassium, and magnesium making them good for bone health and health in general. We try to plant our root veggies every fall/winter (carrots, beets, turnips, and radishes) without question. Turnips are yet another great option for winter gardening for beginners as the are also low maintenance.

11. Beets

Beets are a beautiful, hearty, and healthy addition to any winter garden. They are a superfood! Beets are another cold-hardy root vegetable that is high in nutrients and can add flavor to savory winter meals. They can be roasted, fermented, thrown in soups and stews, or even eaten raw in salads.

Beets are known for lowering blood pressure, aiding in digestion, reducing inflammation, and even improving physical performance. It can improve physical performance because it can help blood and oxygen flow to muscles and help with stamina. Beets are high in folate, manganese, copper, and potassium which are all necessary minerals for proper body functions. Beets are also easy to grow, like the other root vegetables. So, it is another hearty, healthy choice for winter gardening for beginners that will also bring some beautiful color to the garden.

12. Onion

Onions are another must for every kitchen pantry! They are versatile and incredible for health. Onions can go in almost every meal there is! Cooked in meals, raw on hot dogs or chili, used in home remedies, fermented, or onion rings. They also store very well, but are another vegetable that can stay in the ground for a while.

Onions, like many of these crops, aid in heart health, digestion, cancer prevention, immunity, and inflammation. However, onions are also anti-bacterial and used for many home remedies, but just keeping them in your diet consistently is great for health. Onions are a low maintenance crop making it another great choice for winter gardening for beginners.

13. Garlic

Most people know that onions and garlic are staples for any cook from scratch kitchen. So, the homestead kitchen is no exception. Onions and garlic provide vibrant flavor and health to dishes and meals. Garlic powder is great, but fresh garlic is even more powerful. It can be used to flavor dishes and make home remedies like onions. Garlic is a crop that plants well in fall and winter, and actually should be planted then.

Garlic is a bit slower growing, so it needs ample time to grow its roots and develop its flavor and that happens best in fall and winter. Planting garlic in fall and winter will not mean you will enjoy it in those seasons, however. You will start to see the shoots of garlic start rising up in the Spring, and it will be more months of growing before the garlic will be ready. So, although it is not a fast-growing crop for beginners, it is an easy plant-and-leave-it crop that as long as it is getting watered and sunlight will be worth it when it’s ready. It also stores well if properly cured and stored.

Garlic is powerful when it comes to health. I have heard it used from everything from earaches to coughs and colds to flus. Garlic boosts immunity, blood pressure health, cholesterol health, reduces inflammation, and aids in cancer prevention. Another benefit of garlic is that it is antibacterial and antiviral which is why it is used in many home remedies. Garlic is an easy going, health-boosting crop making it another great choice for winter gardening for beginners.

14. Parsley

Parsley is a great addition to a winter garden, or just growing indoors. I prefer to grow parsley inside, but that’s mostly because inside I do not deal with pests in summer, and I like to have it close for broths, soups, and more. However, parsley is cold-hardy making it great for year-round growing. One reason I mention parsley for winter gardening for beginners is because it is commonly thrown in chicken noodle soup, other soups, used when rendering your own broth, and more. The foods that you eat in winter, like soups and stews, pair wonderfully with parsley. So, it is nice to have on hand.

Parsley is an herb that has many of the same benefits as all the other listed crops. It aids in immunity, digestion, heart health, bone health, and cancer prevention. It also has antibacterial properties that are said to freshen breath and aid in oral health in general. Pretty cool! Parsley is not really finicky either. So, parsley is a great crop for winter gardening for beginners.

15. Cilantro

Cilantro is not always thought of when it comes to winter. However, this is an herb we love in Hispanic dishes, but also we have learned the health benefits of and fed often to our chickens to improve their health. Cilantro also deters a lot of pests which is good for the garden and for chicken coops! So, this is an herb we try to grow year-round. I prefer to keep some cilantro inside and some in the garden.

However, this is one is one you need to look for varieties that can withstand your winter lows, or mulch and cover, or bring inside during really low temperatures. It is cold-hardy herb, but it cannot withstand low temperatures or frost for as long as some of these other crops. As long as you give cilantro the right conditions, it is really easy to grow.

Cilantro is rich in vitamin A, C, and K, and antioxidants. Cilantro aids in digestion, calms nausea and bloating, lowers blood sugar, and reduces inflammation. It is also antibacterial which is another reason we love to use it for our chickens health and coop. Because of the flavor, versatility, and health benefits, this is definitely a crop to consider for winter gardening for beginners.

Conclusion

Winter gardening is gardening with a focus on vegetables and herbs that thrive in cooler temperatures during the winter. Winter gardening is a way to maximize food production and have fresh produce year-round. This is especially helpful if you have a small plot of land or restrictions where you live. Also, winter gardening for beginners is basically a way to garden that is easy to manage by choosing easy, cold-hardy plants to grow in proper growing zones.

We have talked about 15 foods that can grow well in winter making them easy for beginner gardeners. Winter gardening is also easier because there are less pests, disease, heat, and rot to worry about. The crops that grow well in winter are perfectly in line with the nutritional needs our bodies have for winter. The root vegetables store well, and the fresh greens provide fresh eating all year. There are so many benefits for winter gardening, and we hope this post helped with winter gardening for beginners.

Live abundantly, Friend,

Resources for you:

• US Plant Hardiness Zones
• Free Garden Plan Printable
• Free Printables for Homesteading, Homeschooling, and more!

Learn more skills:

• Fermenting Course by Lisa Bass
• Best Dehydrator for your Homestead Kitchen
• $20 off Best Mixer for big batches in your Homestead Kitchen
• Non-Toxic Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven and Bread Pan
• Sourdough Starter Kit or Sourdough Bundle
• $20 off Our Grain Mill: “the World’s Best”
• Simple Sourdough Course by Lisa Bass
• Freshly Milled Grains Course by Lisa Bass