The key to successful winter gardening is knowing the average date of the first frost in your region (for example late October in the Pacific Northwest). You then plant your winter crops early enough to let them reach their full maturity before the first frost.
Late maturing crops
Approx maturity 90 days.
**Plant Now**
ROOTCROPS
Beets
Carrots
Parsnip
Rutabaga
Globe Onions
LEAFCROPS
Brussells Sprouts
Cabbages
Cauliflower
Fava Bean
Mid-season crops
Approximate maturity 60 days.
**Plant Mid August**
ROOTCROPS
Early Carrots
Leek
Turnip
Kohlrabi
LEAFCROPS
Early Cabbages
Winter Cauliflower
Collards
Perennial Flowers
Perennial Herbs
Swiss Chard
Early maturing crops
Approx maturity 30 days.
**Plant late August to Mid September**
ROOTCROPS
Chives
Bunching Onions
Radishes
LEAFCROPS
Broccoli
Cover Crops
Leaf Lettuces
Mustard
Spinach
Quick Tips
Try successive plantings of quick growing items like leaf lettuce, beets, spinach and radishes.
Don't be afraid to try planting some crops later than recommended. While it is a bit risky, the rewards are definitely worth the risk.
Harvest over-wintered carrots early in spring before they start to go to seed and the roots get woody.
The Chinese Cabbages and Mustards also grow especially well in cold frames. They taste great, too.
Parsnips are best when pulled in January or early February after the heaviest frosts have turned them the sweetest.
CROP ROTATION
This is a very critical part of any garden scheme. Do not plant the same fall or winter vegetable crops in the same location as they were planted the previous year or the summer season. It is important to note that if the same crop is planted in the same location, not only will the soil be weakened through continual loss of the same nutrients but the plants will also attract the same insects and diseases to that part of the garden.
There's still time to plant for August...
