These Vegetables Can Still Be Harvested After Frost
Experienced gardeners in parts of the country with cold and potentially snowy winters don’t have to worry about frost. Over time, they figure out when to plant certain fruits and vegetables so they are ready to harvest well before the first frost of the season.
These gardeners also know that there are hardier vegetables that have a more flexible growing schedule and can stay in the ground a little longer. Whether the first frost occurs unusually early or they want to harvest their crops gradually instead of storing them all at once, the following vegetables are not bothered by winter weather. In fact, some of them taste even better after the first frost. Let’s dig in.
What vegetables can be harvested after frost?
This will depend on many factors, including the local climate , which has traditionally dictated the types of vegetables grown outdoors, and increasingly unpredictable weather conditions. In other words, a plant that can survive frost in one part of the country may not survive in another. But generally speaking, here are some examples of vegetables that can be harvested after frost, broken down by category:
Roots
Because vegetables like carrots, parsnips, turnips, rutabaga and beets grow (mostly) underground, they have some protection from frost, writes Gretchen Voyle , horticulture professor at Michigan State University Extension, in a university news release. Although the frost itself only affects the surface of the garden, the situation changes once the ground freezes. Once this happens, these root crops will be damaged, if not destroyed.
Another factor to consider is soil moisture, Voyle explains. These vegetables are good if the soil is moist and not frozen, but if the soil is too wet, they may rot.
Also, don’t worry if the green tops of root vegetables like carrots, parsnips and beets don’t survive the frost, says Jim Myers , a plant breeder and researcher at Oregon State University Extension Service. They may die, but as long as the ground doesn’t freeze or become too wet, the roots – the main parts we eat – will live.
Potato
Hilling is a special case, Voyle says, because while it can be harvested after frost, it must be removed from the garden almost immediately after digging. If potatoes are left on the surface of the soil for even a short time, they can begin to release a toxic chemical called solanine, which also gives them a sickly green color. If someone eats enough solanine, it can lead to gastrointestinal and neurological problems, Voyle said.
Greenery
Lettuce won’t survive the frost, Voyle said, but hardier greens like kale, collards and chard will. Not only that, but after a light frost they may become a little sweeter.
You can also harvest red and green cabbage, as well as its relatives, kohlrabi and Brussels sprouts, after frost, although you may have to remove some of the outer leaves if they are damaged, according to Voyle and Myers. Likewise, if you find the leaves of any of these greens have become tough to chew, cooking will soften them.