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Cold Crops to Start Indoors Right Now

Knowledge is power. Knowing you can grow these crops throughout the winter is something that everyone should know. So, let us get into it. Where do we start, what do we need?



Cold Hardy Crops:

  • Kale

  • Spinach

  • Carrots

  • Broccoli

  • Cauliflower

  • Cabbage

  • Lettuce

  • Chard

  • Beets

  • Radishes

  • Cilantro

  • Parsley


Steps for Growing Cold Crops

  1. Where do I find seeds so late in the season? Well, if you have left over from the spring and summer you can start there. If not, you can try places like ETSY, Amazon, Specialty online stores such as Burpee (they should ship all seasons).

  2. How to start them? Easy. Start them indoors. In what? A few plastic cups or an egg carton with a lid to create a mini greenhouse since it is a little chilly by the windows.  (you may want to poke some holes in the bottom for drainage and put a paper plate underneath)

  3. Put 1-2 seeds into an indoor seed starting mixture or potting soil mix.

    **You can literally go in your backyard and get some dirt as well (just be mindful of bugs)

  4. Water frequently but don't let them dry out in their emerging stage

  5. Continue watching them until the true leaves show, wait another week or so until they look stronger and ready for a transplant.

  6. Harden off - don't water for a day or two (transplant into a well-fed hole outside) The ground might already be hard so loosen up the soil and hit it with a good fertilizer. I always use 10-10-10 general purpose.


Example: Kale - started indoors before Halloween (it is now 11/26 and I have up-potted them once so far - see video)




These will be ready to go out by December 1st. I have grown curly kale in negative temperatures in Michigan. Trust me, kale is one of the heartiest leafy greens you can find.


~DIY With Chelsea

11.26.2025

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