Hey gardening friends! I'm a newbie gardener based in Ontario, Canada (zone 5) and I'm curious about what vegetables I can grow during the winter. I've learned that garlic and potatoes can be planted in late October or early November and will go dormant, but I'm looking for more options. Are there other vegetables or herbs that can thrive in this season? I really want to experiment this winter and see what works! Thanks for any tips you can share!
3 Answers
There are definitely some great perennial options you can try! Consider starting an asparagus patch or growing horseradish—both are hardy and can help with winter gardening. Plus, herbs like sage and chives will do well, too. I also like to mix in some perennial flowers like bee balm or wild bergamot, just be cautious with the bergamot because it can spread easily! Oh, and don't make the rookie mistake I did by planting mint in a flower bed; it can be quite the bully! Keep it contained in a pot if you can.
I found horseradish to be a bit invasive too! Left mine in a pot outside over winter and now it’s sprouting everywhere!
If you're open to trying some cool-season crops, I had success this past winter in Connecticut using low tunnels and cold frames. I grew tatsoi, Russian kale, mache, chard, arugula, and mizuna. Believe it or not, I even had lettuce germinate in January! Just make sure you plant your fall veggies by late July or August to give them a chance to grow before dormancy. Carrots usually work really well for overwintering, but I didn't have much luck with them myself. Give it a shot!
Fava beans are another option you might want to consider growing! They can handle the cold well and might be a fun addition to your winter garden.
Yeah, mint can really take over everything!