Though it may sound counterproductive to grow plants in the snow, trust me when I tell you that a large percentage of them can handle it and perhaps even thrive in it.
Over the many centuries, plants have developed ways to survive in winter or rather have become immune to it you can say.
Gardeners grow herbs and vegetables in the snow for many reasons including insulation, a longer growing season, or improved flavor.
For most of them, however, the biggest advantage is that the layer of snow protects plants from freezing and keeps them somewhat warm underneath.
11 Winter Vegetables & Herbs That Thrive In Snowy Conditions
11) Kale
If you’ve been following my work for some time now, you’ll know that I’m a sucker for some good, hardy kale. This leafy green is frost-tolerant and can benefit from snowy conditions because the snow not only helps keep the kale warm but can also improve the flavor profile and make it sweeter.
10) Spinach
Spinach goes the same as kale. It’s cold hardy and can survive even the harshest of winters without much trouble. But, a thick layer of snow can help with warmth in the ground as well as slightly improve leaf flavor.
9) Peas
Peas would appreciate a snow cover because it helps with overall insulation. They can survive the winter and begin growing again as soon as some warmth comes around, which would be the arrival of spring.
8) Leeks
While I’m not the biggest fan of leeks in terms of flavor, there’s no denying that they’re hardy and can survive low temperatures with ease. You can plant them when it’s snowing outside in winter and they’ll start maturing in spring when the temperature rises.
7) Carrots
Because carrots grow underground, a layer of snow over them can help maintain some warmth to keep them growing throughout winter. Surprisingly, when you harvest these carrots, you’ll even notice a much sweeter flavor thanks to the cold.
6) Swiss Chard
This leafy green vegetable offers a vibrant color and is incredibly hardy. With some insulation from the snow, they can survive winter conditions but their growth may pause during this snowy period.
5) Thyme
For those of you who are unaware of the cold hardiness of herbs, thyme is a winter time classic that can survive the cold and snowy conditions but will experience slowed or even no growth in this period. Expect growth to resume around springtime.
4) Rosemary
While rosemary is a little on the sensitive side, it can still tolerate some light snowing and come out of it relatively undamaged. The snow will provide insulation, so the rosemary plant underneath doesn’t freeze.
3) Oregano
Oregano — the herb that brings savory dishes to life (e.g. pizza, pasta, or grilled meat).
This herb can survive extremely low temperatures but grow very little or not at all during the snow spell. The best course of action for oregano is to sow the seeds in winter but wait till spring to see seedling growth.
2) Bay Leaves
Because bay leaves require extra protection from frost, snow can be good insulation to keep them somewhat warm. They’re cold-hardy and can survive zone 7-10 winters without any problems whatsoever. These aromatic leaves will also add depth and richness to your hot stews and soups, making them the perfect winter herb.
1) Lavender
The sweet smell of lavender is not only soothing and beautiful but it also lifts your mood to a whole new dimension. This aromatic plant has winter hardy varieties that could thrive in snowfall. However, it shouldn’t be a problem considering that the snow will act as insulation keeping the plant warm while limiting the likelihood of a freeze.
How To Protect & Care For Snow-Hardy Crops?
Mulching around your snow-hardy crops can be useful for aiding with insulation. This way, you’ll reduce any chances of root freezing or your crop suffering from cold damage. Mulching is especially important for those cold winter nights when temperatures drop well below the “normal” range.
A foolproof way to provide your snow-hardy crops with instant protection is to simply cover them up with thick row covers. At night, when temperatures drop and there’s frost coming, cover up your crops and remove the covers in the morning to let them bask in the sunlight.
For the best-tasting and fully mature harvests, start your snow-hardy crops early, ideally 6-8 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Doing so allows the crops to mature before the cool weather kicks in and the days of winter shorten.
Just make sure to not plant them too early as snow-hardy crops typically don’t do so well in warm weather and may start wilting.
