Great Winter Vegetables to Start Now

Spring is almost upon us, and it's time to think about planting the long awaited spring garden. Many varieties of vegetables exist that grow and thrive in the warming winter and spring months. Broccoli, lettuce, and leeks are just a few vegetables that grow well in nippy weather, but some varieties are more cold-hardy than others.

To start, most seeds will germinate well around 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the seeds have germinated, most seedlings can withstand a little cool air. It's best to lay the seedling flats out on sunny, warm days and move them into some kind of protection at night, such as a sunroom, greenhouse, or even on the warm floor of your kitchen. The woman of the house may not agree with the kitchen idea, but bear in mind that you will be moving the flats when the sun has warmed the air sufficiently. These are just suggestions, so get creative and find a warm spot to house your seedlings to protect them from late freezes and frosts.

Of the many cold-hardy annual vegetables, I have a few favorites. A variety of leeks called "Bandit" does very well without cover, and can withstand a freeze without damage. Once the tender seedlings have emerged and are about 3 inches tall, transplant them by using a dibble or your finger to make a hole to drop the leek seedlings into. Planting leeks deep will insure a longer white stalk, which is the part of the plant most people eat. Leeks are a great addition to soups and steaks, and can be used as a substitute for onions when a milder flavor is needed.

Another cold-hardy vegetable, kale will grow in my zone 6 all winter long with no protection. I grow "Dwarf Blue Scotch" every year and have never had a problem. Seedlings can be started as late as late October, but will not grow to a large size unless started earlier. Kale is extremely nutritious and can be cooked like broccoli with melted cheddar cheese and butter drizzled on top.

A great cold-hardy crop that most chefs can't do without is the carrot, in particular a variety called "Napoli". The sweetness of these carrots live up to the nickname "candy carrots" as they sweeten in the colder months. Carrots should be direct sowed in the garden and will germinate best when daytime temperatures reach around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Carrots grown in the winter should be mulched heavily to avoid too much freezing.

These are just a few great winter and spring vegetable varieties to start now. Some varieties are better than others. The best advice I can give about seed varieties not mentioned is to read the seed descriptions in the catalogs. Usually, the seed catalog will tell you how cold-hardy the vegetables are. Then, there's always experimentation, happy gardening!