Dreaming of fresh, homegrown veggies by the time spring rolls around? It all begins in autumn. By planting the right vegetables before winter hits, you’ll give them a head start and enjoy a thriving spring garden before most people even begin sowing seeds.
Many cold-tolerant crops don’t just survive the frost; they actually taste better after it. These hardy plants quietly grow beneath a blanket of mulch, gathering strength until longer days and milder temperatures spark them into action.
If you’re willing to put in a little effort now, you’ll thank yourself later when your garden bursts into life with collards, carrots, and more.
Not sure where to begin? These 13 reliable vegetables can handle the chill and reward you with a delicious early harvest.
#1 Collards
Source: Gardeningknowhow
Collards love cool weather and actually improve in flavor after a few frosts. You’ll often find their leaves sweeter and more tender by spring.
For best results, use compost-rich soil with plenty of nitrogen and tuck them under a thick layer of straw. The mulch keeps the roots cozy and helps break down the tough seed casing over winter. When spring arrives, they bounce back strong.
#2 Carrots
Source: Rhs
Carrots are perfect for fall sowing, especially in loose, well-aerated soil. Rich, fluffy beds help roots grow long and smooth.
Once planted, adding a thick straw mulch will shield them from harsh cold and promote even germination once warmth returns. You may find they develop extra sweetness after overwintering.
#3 Spring Onions
Source: Gardengrow
Spring onions are surprisingly easygoing through cold months. With a layer of compost and mulch, they stay insulated and dormant until spring sunshine draws them out.
They’re quick to bounce back and give you those crisp, mild-flavored stalks you can use fresh in everything from soups to stir-fries.
#4 Winter Radishes
Source: Seedpantry
Winter radishes thrive when planted in late fall, and they often grow larger and bolder in flavor after enduring chilly nights.
While they can grow in most soils, sandy, fertile beds will give you the best shape and taste. Add some mulch to reduce soil temperature swings and keep them cozy till spring.
#5 Brussels Sprouts
Source: Simplifylivelove
Brussels sprouts actually prefer cold weather and reward patient gardeners with better taste after frost. Seeds sown in autumn establish themselves slowly through winter.
With the right care, those compact sprouts will mature just in time for your early spring meals.
#6 Perpetual Spinach
Source: Captiveroots
This hardy leafy green does well in autumn beds and keeps on giving as the seasons shift. Perpetual spinach enjoys a nitrogen-rich, compost-heavy soil that drains well.
You’ll see strong regrowth in early spring if it’s protected with a layer of mulch and kept consistently moist.
#7 Beets
Source: Gardeningknowhow
Beets are resilient root crops that respond well to fall planting. They develop deep color and flavor when grown in cool conditions.
Cover them with straw, wood chips, or dried leaves to keep soil temperatures stable. Once the weather warms, they’ll resume growth and be ready for harvest in no time.
#8 Kale
Source: Thespruce
Kale is tough, cold-loving, and super flavorful after surviving frosty nights. Plant seeds in nutrient-rich soil about half an inch deep and layer with mulch to shield them through the cold.
You’ll spot tender leaves starting to emerge once the sun sticks around longer in spring.
#9 Peas
Source: Countrylife
Peas can be started in late fall for an early head start in spring. They don’t like soggy roots, so sandy, well-draining soil is key.
Mix in compost rich in phosphorus and potassium, then sow seeds about an inch deep and cover with straw mulch. The cool rest period helps them germinate fast once it warms up.
#10 Garlic
Source: Gardenbeast
Garlic planted in autumn yields some of the best, most flavorful bulbs by summer. All it needs is a compost-rich, well-draining bed to grow strong roots before winter.
Mulching helps protect young shoots and hold in moisture. By the time spring rolls around, your garlic will be halfway to harvest.
#11 Turnips
Source: Hgvt
Turnips love cool soil and grow best when planted in autumn and covered well with straw. As long as the mulch stays in place, they can overwinter quietly and begin bulking up in early spring.
Their roots become extra tender and mild after a frost or two.
#12 Asparagus
Source: Gardeningknowhow
Asparagus takes patience but rewards you for years once it’s established. Autumn planting gives its roots a quiet period to grow before spring pushes up the first edible shoots.
Choose a well-draining bed, add compost, and don’t expect a full harvest the first year. With time, this perennial veggie pays off generously.
#13 Swiss Chard
Source: Thegardeningcook
Swiss chard can tolerate a light frost and sometimes even produce a few small leaves before winter really sets in.
It prefers mild autumn weather to get started, then waits out the cold beneath a mulch layer. Once it senses longer days and softer temperatures, new growth appears fast and fresh.