Got the winter blues and can hardly wait for planting season in the spring? Well, did you know that in some regions, you can start veggie seeds for later transplant as early as January? When selecting plants to plant in winter, some selections will vary according to your location – but there are a few reliable early starters that can work in every space.
In many cases, you can start these seeds indoors for transplanting outside when things warm up. However, your options expand – even in chillier latitudes – if you use a cold frame for plants you can grow outside. You can visit our Gardening Know How Shop to stock up on seed trays and tools to help you get the jump on your early sowings. There are quite a few vegetable plants suitable for winter planting, for instance. This is our roundup of some of the easiest options for edibles – and a flowering option that your pollinators are sure to love.
Choosing Crops and Ornamentals that You Can Plant in Winter
In terms of what to plant in winter, the hardiness region has a part to play with your selection, depending on whether you are direct-sowing seeds (planting in situ) or starting indoors. If you live in USDA zones 8-11, you can garden year-round. In fact, some crops may do better planted out in the winter months than later in the growing season when these USDA zones get too hot for certain crops.
If you don’t fall into the above category, focus on cool-weather vegetables. Depending on how cold your region is, you can direct-sow, start seeds inside, or grow outside with protection from cloches, cold frames or even in a clean milk jug. Just bear in mind that root crops such as radishes, carrots and beets will not take well to being transplanted as seedlings and should be sown directly into the garden.
👉 To enrich your soil before direct sowing, learn how to turn fallen leaves into leaf mold compost for a natural boost.
1. Herbs
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If you’re wondering “What can I plant in winter?” then herbs are the natural first port of call. Winter is a great time to get a head start on your herb garden plants. You can start tender herbs like basil or perennials like oregano and chives. Try Culinary Blend basil, Greek oregano or chive seeds from Park Seed, all available from the Gardening Know How shop.
Start from seed indoors as early as February or March. Herbs started in March can be ready to transplant into the garden by May, depending upon your USDA region and weather conditions, of course.
👉 Pair your herb garden with our low-maintenance indoor gardening hacks to keep fresh flavors at hand year-round.
2. Green Onions
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Bulbing onions are cool weather crops but green onions are even easier, and much faster, to grow in the winter. They are frost tolerant, making them some of the best plants to plant in winter.
👉 For more compact growing inspiration, see our space-saving raised beds for small gardens that maximize harvests in tight spaces.
You can grow green onions by sowing directly into workable soil for a harvest in about 60 days.
3. Leafy Greens
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Many leafy greens love cooler temperatures; they can often handle below-freezing temps. Swiss chard and kale both thrive in cold temperatures although you should protect their tender leaves from heavy snow by using a cold frame or a cloche. In areas where there are mild winters, biennial Swiss chard and kale are some of the hardiest of crops and can survive throughout the winter.
Start these leafy greens from seed about 90 days before your area’s last frost date. Transplant them outside (they can handle some frost and snow) but provide them protection from heavy frost.
👉 If you’re curious about design trends, discover why faded petal pink is set to be the standout garden color of 2026.
4. Carrots
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Carrots are one of those crops, like Swiss chard above, that get sweeter when grown in the winter, making them perfect plants for winter planting. Directly sow carrots into well-drained soil. Make sure the earth is free from rocks or other debris, or else this will affect the shape of any tap roots. You can sow as soon as the soil is workable in full sun. Thin the seedlings when they are about four weeks old.
5. Radishes
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Radishes are a great cool season crop to grow because they grow so quickly. Choose a unique radish like daikon to grow during the winter. Daikon grows more slowly, but you still end up with a crispy, almost peppery-flavored root veggie that is great eaten fresh or cooked. Sow seeds directly in full sun in well-draining soil as soon as it is workable.
👉 For a splash of color alongside your radishes, check out our unique yellow flowers that brighten winter beds.
6. Broccoli
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Like radishes, there are varieties of broccoli that are better suited for growing during the winter. Hardy purple broccoli varieties for instance, can be sown in containers during the winter months to be transplanted in the spring in a full sun area.
If you live in a warmer region, try growing a broccoli variety like Castle Dome from Park Seed, available from the Gardening Know How shop. This hybrid is heat tolerant and ready for harvest in just 50 days from transplant.
7. Leeks
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One of my favorite crops, leeks, can actually sit in the ground over the winter and be harvested from the garden as needed. Start growing leeks indoors in January or February then transplant them into the garden in the early spring, or sow them directly into the garden then the soil is workable.
8. Common Milkweed
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Vegetables aren’t the only plants that can be grown during the winter. Common milkweed seeds can be planted in fall or winter, either indoors or outside. When growing milkweed from scratch, choose an area of full sun to transplant the seedlings.
This essential food source for migrating Monarch butterflies may not bloom the first year, but thereafter it will reliably reward you and your winged friends with giant sprays of purple or pink blossoms. Try the Milkweed Heirloom seed mix from Park Seed, available from the Gardening Know How shop, for a gorgeous early start to your year of pollinator pleasures!
👉 To attract even more pollinators, try our romantic garden ideas that blend beauty with biodiversity.
Other Great Sowing and Planting Ideas
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Frequently Asked Questions
When is the earliest you can sow for the gardening year?
When can you start sowing seeds? When you direct sow, you can sow almost any time the soil is workable. The seeds will stay in the soil until it warms sufficiently for them to germinate. For container-grown veggies, start seeds after the winter solstice in January or February.
Do you need to prepare the ground for winter sowing?
Healthy soil will give you the best results, so have a soil test done on your garden to tell you if you need to amend the garden soil and what it needs. Regardless of a soil test, it is a good idea to incorporate some well-aged manure or compost into the top three inches (8cm) of soil before sowing.
👉 For a sustainable soil strategy, consider building a keyhole garden with in-ground composter to recycle nutrients directly into your beds.
Do you have to protect sowings from pests?
Protect your newly sown or transplanted plants from critters. While there are definitely fewer insects present in the winter, there may be some. If not insect pests, there are always the four-legged or winged beasts who like your crops as much as you do.
What vegetables are easiest to plant in winter?
Some of the easiest vegetables to plant in winter include radishes, carrots, leafy greens like kale, and hardy onions. These crops thrive in cooler soil and often taste sweeter when grown in cold weather. The twist is that many root vegetables actually improve in flavor after a light frost, making winter the perfect time to sow them.
Can I plant in winter without a greenhouse?
Yes. You can plant in winter using simple tools like cold frames, cloches, or even upcycled containers such as milk jugs. These create mini-greenhouses that trap warmth and protect seedlings. The twist is that many gardeners find these DIY methods outperform expensive setups because they allow for better airflow and reduce overheating risks.
Is it safe to plant flowers in winter?
Certain hardy flowers like pansies, calendula, and milkweed can be safely planted in winter. They establish roots during the cold months and bloom earlier in spring. The twist is that winter-sown flowers often develop stronger stems and longer-lasting blooms compared to those planted later in the season.
What soil preparation is needed to plant in winter?
Before you plant in winter, enrich the soil with compost, leaf mold, or well-aged manure. This ensures nutrients are available when seeds germinate. The twist is that winter soil tends to compact, so loosening it with a fork before sowing helps roots establish more easily and prevents waterlogging.
Can I plant herbs in winter?
Yes. Many herbs like chives, oregano, and parsley can be started indoors or under protection when you plant in winter. Basil, though tender, can also be started indoors for transplanting later. The twist is that herbs grown in cooler months often develop more concentrated flavors, making them extra aromatic in the kitchen.
Do I need to water the crops I plant in winter?
Absolutely. Even though evaporation is slower, seeds and seedlings still need consistent moisture when you plant in winter. The twist is that watering in the morning is best—it prevents ice from forming around roots overnight and reduces the risk of frost damage.
