The 8 Best Crops for Winter Gardening in 2025

It’s rare that year-round gardening actually means year-round. Most people stop gardening when the cold sets in. Tools are stored, beds are left empty, and everything waits for spring. But that doesn’t mean your garden has to sit idle.

Some crops actually thrive in the cold. In fact, you could be growing sweeter, sturdier, and more flavorful produce with a little frost. If you’re willing to learn a few best practices and protective measures for your winter garden, like using a greenhouse, raised beds, or cold frames, you can keep growing through the winter months with confidence.

Winter might seem like an off-season for gardening, but it doesn’t have to be. There are crops that do great in the colder weather, even when everything else slows down. 

Here are eight of our go-to cold-weather crops that are ready to take on the winter.

Why Winter Gardening Works

Winter gardening is more doable than most people think. In fact, cooler temperatures can actually work in your favor. Many vegetables grow sweeter and stronger in the cold, and with fewer pests to battle, your garden becomes easier to manage.

With a few smart additions, like using your shed to start seedlings or adding a cold frame or greenhouse for protection, you can keep a thriving year-round garden. It doesn’t have to be complicated; it just takes the right setup.

Before you dive in, take a moment to think about what you want to grow. Each winter crop has its own ideal conditions, so a little planning now can lead to a more productive, less stressful harvest later.

8 Winter Garden Plants to Try This Year

1. Kale

Kale is a hardy leafy green from the brassica family (cousin to broccoli and cabbage). It’s a go-to winter crop for backyard gardeners thanks to its cold resistance, nutritional value, and ability to grow long into the season, even improving in flavor after frost.

• Why it thrives: Cold temps enhance sweetness.
• How to grow: Space plants 12–18 inches apart in nutrient-rich, well-drained soil.
• Extra protection: Use row covers or cold frames to keep leaves crisp and protected.

2. Spinach

Spinach is a fast-growing, cool-season green from the amaranth family. It thrives in lower light and cold temperatures, making it ideal for short winter days. Many varieties continue producing even through light frosts.

• Why it thrives: Tolerates cold and grows well in low light.
• How to grow: Plant in raised beds or containers with good drainage; thin seedlings to 3–5 inches apart.
• Extra protection: Use cloches or lightweight row covers for frost protection.

3. Carrots

Carrots are a root vegetable from the Apiaceae family, known for their ability to survive the winter in the soil and become sweeter after exposure to cold. Their deep roots make them the perfect winter garden plants for in-ground or raised bed gardening.

• Why it thrives: Cold storage in the ground enhances flavor and preserves freshness.
• How to grow: Use loose, sandy soil and thin seedlings to 2–3 inches apart.
• Extra protection: Apply 4–6 inches of straw or leaf mulch for insulation.

4. Garlic

Garlic is a member of the allium family (alongside onions and leeks). It’s planted in fall and requires a winter chill to form healthy bulbs. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it crop that quietly develops underground through winter.

• Why it thrives: Needs winter dormancy to mature properly.
• How to grow: Plant cloves 2 inches deep in well-drained soil, spaced 4–6 inches apart.
• Extra protection: Mulch after planting to insulate and suppress weeds.

5. Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are another brassica family member and a frost-tolerant favorite. With a long growing season and the ability to withstand snow, they’re a commitment, but well worth it for the harvest of dense, mini-cabbage heads.

• Why it thrives: Cold weather improves flavor and texture.
• How to grow: Start in midsummer; transplant with 18–24 inches between plants.
• Extra protection: Stake taller plants for stability; mulch to insulate roots.

6. Radishes

Radishes are fast-growing root vegetables in the brassica family that love cool weather. They mature quickly — some in as little as 25–30 days — making them great winter garden plants for short windows between other crops.

• Why it thrives: Prefers cool soil and matures before deep winter.
• How to grow: Direct sow in well-drained soil and thin to 1–2 inches apart.
• Extra protection: Use cold frames or grow in containers inside greenhouses.

7. Winter Lettuce

Cold-hardy lettuce varieties like Winter Density and Arctic King are bred to thrive in low light and resist frost. As members of the daisy family (Asteraceae), they grow best with protection from wind and snow but don’t mind a chill.

• Why it thrives: Bred specifically for shorter days and lower temperatures.
• How to grow: Space plants 6–8 inches apart in fertile, moist soil.
• Extra protection: Best results in a greenhouse or cold frame.

8. Swiss Chard

Swiss chard is a colorful, nutrient-packed green from the beet family. It tolerates light frost and continues to grow through cooler months, especially under cover. Its vibrant stems add beauty and nutrients to any winter garden plant selection.

• Why it thrives: Grows well in covered beds and rebounds after light frost.
• How to grow: Space 12–18 inches apart in well-drained, compost-rich soil.
• Extra protection: Use row covers or cold frames during freezes.

Don’t Skip These 3 Cold-Weather Garden Must-Dos

Even cold-hardy winter garden plants need the right conditions. Focus on these essentials:

1. Prep your soil early.
   Use soil test kits for gardens that are just starting out. Amend it as needed with compost before the first frost. Healthy soil gives winter crops their best shot.
   
   
2. Water deeply, not often.
   Overwatering leads to frozen roots. Stick to consistent, deep watering when the soil isn’t frozen.
   
   
3. Insulate against frost.
   Use mulch, cloches, or cold frames to trap warmth and protect plants from sudden temperature drops.

Smart Structures for Thriving Winter Garden Plants

The right crops are only half the equation. How you protect them through the colder months matters just as much. Whether you’re working with a small backyard or a larger setup, a few smart structures can help you grow more, waste less, and stay organized all winter long.

Greenhouses

A greenhouse gives you flexibility and control when temperatures drop. It traps heat, buffers against wind and snow, and makes it possible to keep greens, root crops, and herbs going longer into the season. Even a small structure can extend your harvest by weeks or months.

Garden Sheds

A garden shed might not seem like part of your growing setup, but it’s an incredibly valuable addition to your winter garden. It offers a warm, dry place to start seedlings early, store mulch and covers for quick access, or even grow smaller crops in containers if you’ve added a light source. The more accessible your tools and supplies are, the easier it is to react when the weather changes.

If you’re thinking about expanding your setup or want to streamline how you garden through the seasons, a customized shed or greenhouse could be the next step in your winter garden journey.

Don’t Let Winter Slow You Down

Just because it’s cold out doesn’t mean your garden has to take a break. With the right winter garden plants and a little extra protection, you can keep things growing well past the first frost. A simple setup like a greenhouse or backyard shed can make all the difference. Winter might feel like the off-season, but it doesn’t have to be.

Looking to build a year-round garden that works in every season? Customize your own greenhouse or garden shed today.