10 Valuable Crops You Should ALWAYS Be Planting In The Cold

10 Valuable Crops You Should ALWAYS Be Planting

Wondering what to plant in cold weather? It’s not too late to get your garden growing! Even as the days grow shorter and the nights cooler, there are still plenty of crops you can plant to ensure a bountiful harvest well into the fall and even early winter. Today, Tuck and I will take you on a journey through 10 crops that are perfect for planting this month. So, grab your gardening gloves, and let’s dive in!

1. Lettuce: A Quick and Versatile Grower

Lettuce is one of those crops that never disappoints. It’s quick-growing, versatile, and comes in a wide array of colors, textures, and flavors. From the deep green of winter Marvel lettuce to the bronze hues of Minette, there’s a type of lettuce to suit every taste.

I love planting lettuce in successive rounds. I always have some ready to harvest, some just coming up, and more seeds going into the soil. Early in September, I start my lettuce in Bago seed cells and transplant them four per square foot. As the month progresses and the days shorten, I plant my lettuce denser and switch to cut-and-come-again varieties like Oakleaf and Butterhead that thrive as the weather cools.

2. Spinach: The Leafy Green that Keeps on Giving

Spinach is another fantastic crop to plant in February or March. It’s a cut-and-come-again green, which means you can harvest leaves continually throughout the season. I like to plant fast-maturing varieties like Space Spinach, as well as cold-hardy types like Bloomsdale and Giant Winter Spinach that can tolerate frost and keep producing even in the cooler months.

If you’ve struggled with spinach germination in the past, here’s a tip: soak your seeds for 24 hours before planting. If it’s still too warm, try placing your seeds in the freezer for a few days, then move them to the fridge wrapped in a wet paper towel. This mimics the natural process of stratification, helping your seeds break dormancy and sprout.

3. Radishes: The Fastest Grower in the Garden

Radishes are the speed demons of the garden, growing from seed to harvest in as little as 25 days. They come in all shapes and sizes, from the delicate Pink Lady Slipper to the robust Giant of Sicily. I like to succession plant my radishes, sowing a new batch every week to ensure a constant supply. Cooler weather in September brings out the best in radishes, enhancing their natural sweetness.

4. Kale: A Cold-Hardy Powerhouse

September is also a great time to plant kale, especially varieties like Red Russian, White Russian, and Scarlet Kale. These hardy greens thrive in cooler temperatures and can survive frost. Unlike cabbages or cauliflowers that need to form heads, kale is grown for its leaves, so there’s plenty of time to plant it and enjoy a continuous harvest.

5. Beets: A Dual-Purpose Delight

Beets are a versatile crop that you can plant in early Spring indoors or planted outside in Fall, ideally about 5 to 8 weeks before your expected frost. They can survive a light frost, especially with a row cover. If you’re looking for good germination, soak your beet seeds for about 12 hours before planting. Even if you plant them a bit late and the roots don’t fully form, you can still enjoy the beet greens as a nutritious snack.

6. Arugula: A Peppery Favorite

Arugula is another crop that thrives in cooler weather. It has a peppery and nutty flavor that mellows when planted in the fall. Cold-hardy varieties like Ice Bred Arugula can be planted densely and covered to extend the growing season well into winter. Fall-grown arugula tends to be milder and less bitter than those grown in the summer.

7. Swiss Chard: A Colorful and Nutritious Green

Swiss chard is a stunning addition to any garden with its vibrant stems and deep green leaves. It can survive light frosts without cover, and with a little protection, it will continue to grow throughout the winter. This easy-to-grow plant has been thriving in my garden since spring and shows no signs of stopping!

8. Parsley and Cilantro: Year-Round Herbs

September is a great time to plant parsley and cilantro. If it’s too late to plant them directly in the ground, start them in pots and bring them indoors when the weather turns cold. Place them near a sunny window, and you’ll have fresh herbs all winter long. This is a great way to ensure you always have a supply of flavorful greens.

9. Carrots: A Risk Worth Taking

While it’s getting a bit late in the season to plant carrots, you can still give it a try with a quick-growing variety like Mokum, which matures in about 48 days. Plant them now, and with a little luck, you’ll enjoy a harvest before the first hard frost. Carrots germinate best with consistent moisture, so keep the soil damp and consider using a carrot board to ensure even growth.

10. Mustard Greens: Mizuna, Tatsoi, and Mustard

If you’re looking to extend your growing season into the winter months, consider planting cold-hardy greens like Yukina Savoy, Tatsoi, and Claytonia (Miner’s Lettuce). These greens are incredibly resilient and can survive even without a cover in my Zone 7A garden. Plant them now, and you’ll enjoy fresh, homegrown greens well into the winter.

Think Beyond Fall: Preparing for a Winter Harvest

As you plan your cold weather garden, remember to think ahead. A thick layer of mulch around your plants can insulate the roots, allowing for a longer growing season. Row covers can protect against early frosts, and succession planting ensures you have a continuous supply of crops heading into the cooler months.

That’s it for today, Growers! Remember, just because summer is over doesn’t mean your gardening has to be. With these crops, you can keep your garden productive right through the fall and into the winter. So get out there, get planting, and let’s grow a better future together!

Me and Tuck will be back at you again soon with more tips, tricks, and inspiration. Happy planting!