Although it seems odd to those of us who live in warm climates, there are vegetables and herbs that tolerate snow.
There are varieties of vegetables and herbs that grow in snow, today we are talking about 12 species that you can consider growing in your garden or winter garden.
Sure, many of us have grown cold-tolerant vegetables in our gardens or orchards, but snow-tolerant vegetables are on another level.
Not only does this mean the growing season is very short, but it’s a good idea to grow food that can handle a good amount of snow.
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Brussels sprouts.
Try Long Island Improved Sprouts for added cold hardiness. They will continue to grow through the snow and become sweeter and tastier after a freeze or two.
Kale.
Kale has a reputation for being stubborn enough to keep growing even under heavy snowfall.
Look for varieties that have been grown in cold climates. For example, Siberian dwarf cabbage or Winterbor.
Curly or flowery varieties are better than their smooth-leaved cousins because they are more hardy. Also, keep in mind that kale softens after being exposed to cold temperatures.
Cabbage.
Like its smaller cousins (Brussels sprouts), cabbage can continue to grow after a snowfall, depending on the variety. Tender, soft-leaved types like Savoy or Napa aren’t very tolerant of snow, but tougher varieties are.
Try the Copenhagen and Capture F1 varieties.
Rocket
This is another member of the Brassica family that seems to be doing well with a few snowfalls. In fact, it’s better cold than hot, as it spoils when temperatures get too high.
Try the Wild Rocket variety.
Keep in mind that unlike kale or cabbage, arugula becomes bitter when exposed to cold. For this reason, it is not ideal to eat it fresh. Add to soups, stir-fries, egg dishes or garlic-braised vegetables.
celeriac
If you like the taste of celery, consider growing celeriac as part of your fall/winter garden or vegetable patch. Some people find it difficult to grow it after a snowfall, but it works well as long as you have a straw cover to protect it from moisture.
Giant Prague celery does well in cold climates.
Beet.
Try growing Cylindra beets in fall and winter. They originate from Denmark and withstand frozen ground with no problem.
Carrots.
If you are looking for snow-tolerant carrots, Uzbek yellow carrots are for you.
Horseradish.
Horseradish is incredibly snow hardy and won’t die back in Scandinavian or Siberian winters.
Horseradish does not grow well from seed, so try to get young plants from your local greenhouse or nursery. Plant them about a week after the last frost in your area.
Leeks.
Leeks can withstand harsh and cold climates. Choose Giant Musselburgh or Bandit varieties. Sow the seeds directly into the ground as they do NOT transplant well.
Parsley.
VParsley is biennial and winter weather resistant. Curly varieties are much more tolerant of snow than flat-leaved varieties.
Rosemary.
Rosemary is a hardy herbaceous perennial that looks like a miniature evergreen, which is why many people think of it as a snow-tolerant species.
In general, this is not the case. Rosemary is a Mediterranean herb that grows best in warm climates. Why add it to this list? Simply because, like many other plants, the key is to choose the right strain for your climate.
The “Arp” variety is resistant to -24°C, and will not die from a sudden snowfall. I would recommend growing your rosemary in pots so you can bring them indoors if it gets too cold.
Mountain will saturate.
As for grasses adapted to snow, Satureja montana is ideal.
Try to get a variety that has been grown near your garden or orchard. This way you will know that you won’t have any problems adapting.