10 Hardy Vegetables to Grow in the Fall and Winter That Will Withstand the Cold

Growing vegetables in your garden makes for nutritious, gratifying, and inexpensive eating, but it can be difficult to figure out which vegetables will yield ripe, delicious produce, especially during a cold winter. It might surprise you that some of the best fall and winter vegetables you can plant reach maturity during the cold-weather months, while others can make it through the winter and sprout in time for a warm-weather harvest. Whether you have a certified green thumb or are a gardening novice, cultivating a garden that can withstand fall and winter temperatures is an easy way to elevate your meals and provide an enriching pastime.

There are a slew of plants that can handle the chilly weather—starting with garlic. An ingredient in a number of delicious dishes, the bulb will provide an accessible stash for your favorite meals. You just need to sow this crop in the fall—about six weeks before the first frost of the season—for a healthy harvest in the spring or summer. Other vegetables to plant in the fall come in the form of hardy, leafy greens, like cabbage and mustard greens. These can survive the harshest conditions that winter months will throw their way—even snow, rain, and ice-cold temperatures.

Aside from having the right fall and winter vegetables to plant, there are many protective measures you can take to make sure your garden thrives. "A small greenhouse, or a greenhouse-like protective cover, can allow these plants to grow in weather that gets below freezing, and even during light snow falls," says Deborah Miuccio, product research and testing coordinator at Gardener's Supply Company. "This allows people the ability to grow their own food year-round." Here, experts detail the best crops to add to your fall and winter vegetable gardens—despite whatever weather might come your way.