What vegetables grow fastest in winter?
Written by
Nguyen Minh
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.When selected and managed correctly, fast-growing vegetables can deliver rapid yielding throughout winter. For example, freshly grown spinach can be harvested within 40-50 days, while lettuce takes about 45-60 days to mature. Both vegetables perform best when grown in cooler climates and can withstand light frost. Implementing succession planting will help increase availability and ensure continuous production.
Soil Preparation
- Amend soil with compost for faster nutrient uptake
- Maintain pH between 6.0-6.5 for optimal growth
- Use black plastic to pre-warm planting beds
Light Optimization
- Position plantings for maximum winter sun exposure
- Use reflective materials to increase light intensity
- Trim overhead branches blocking sunlight
Spinach Cultivars such as Space and Tyee are among the fastest to germinate in cool temperatures. Sow them every two weeks for a longer harvest season. Cover the plants with a floating row cover to maintain a temperature in the 40s Fahrenheit (4 °C). This ensures you don't have any plants stop growing during a cold spell.
Lettuce performance increases with the proper variety selection. Winter Density and Rouge d'Hiver mature quickly, and both have excellent cold hardiness. Succession plant every three weeks starting late summer. Then harvest outer leaves first to maintain production.
Radishes offer the fastest results for growing vegetables, maturing in 25-30 days. The cool-season varieties Cherry Belle and French Breakfast do especially well in cool soils. To establish a steady, month-long supply of radishes, plant them in small areas every 10 days. The flavor of radishes becomes sharper after exposure to some light frost.
Regional strategies for winter growth vary greatly. In southern climates, the planting window is considerably longer because winters are milder. Northern growers may struggle to grow in unprotected situations. Coastal growing areas may experience mild temperatures, which can lengthen harvests. Adjust the growing technique to meet local conditions.
Try these activities now for the quickest results! Try planting radishes first as a fast return crop that builds confidence, and follow that with successive plantings of spinach and lettuce. All will add productivity to your winter garden, and fresh greens can be harvested throughout the coldest winter months.
Read the full article: Top 10 Cold Hardy Vegetables to Grow
