Welcome to Lawnmowing99! If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably spent the better part of spring planting and tending to your garden with the excitement of watching it bloom through the warmer months. But as the days get hotter, I’ve learned over the years that the real magic happens when you start planning ahead. I’m talking about what to plant in early summer for a thriving winter garden.
This may sound a bit counterintuitive, but trust me, getting a jumpstart on your winter garden in the heat of summer is one of the best gardening strategies I’ve adopted. And through my many years of trial, error, and small successes, I’ve picked up a few valuable tips on how to set your garden up for winter success, and I’m excited to share them with you!
In this information, I’ll walk you through the plants I’ve had the most success with, share some lessons learned the hard way, and explain how you can start prepping for a beautiful and bountiful winter garden by planting in early summer.
Why Plant for Winter in Early Summer?
Now, you might be wondering why on earth you’d think about winter gardening while you’re sweating through the summer heat. The simple answer is: planning ahead. If you wait until the colder months arrive, you’ll miss the opportunity to get your winter crops established. Many of the hardier vegetables and greens need that early summer warmth to develop their roots and grow strong before the frost sets in.
I remember my first experience with planning a winter garden. I had a little plot set aside, but I didn’t plant anything in the early summer, thinking I’d just wait until fall to get started. The result? I had sparse and underdeveloped crops that barely made it through the first frost. It wasn’t until I realized that early planting was key to success that I began to see real improvements.
By planting in early summer, you give your winter crops a head start, so they can handle the cold temperatures and shorter days later in the year. With the right timing, you can harvest fresh, homegrown veggies well into the winter months.
What to Plant in Early Summer for a Thriving Winter Garden
Over the years, I’ve found that certain vegetables and herbs thrive when planted in early summer, giving them plenty of time to establish themselves before the cold hits. Here are some of my favorites that have become staples in my winter garden:
1. Kale: The Winter Warrior
Kale is hands down one of my favorite vegetables to plant for a winter garden. Not only does it taste amazing, but it’s also incredibly hardy. I’ll never forget the first time I planted kale in early summer. I watched it grow strong in the heat, and by the time the first frost arrived, it was still flourishing. I’ve found that kale actually tastes better after a light frost, as it sweetens up, making it the perfect winter crop.
Plant kale early in summer—around late June to early July—and it will be ready for harvest when the temperatures start to drop. The great thing about kale is that it’s a “cut-and-come-again” crop, meaning you can keep harvesting from the same plant as it continues to grow.
Tip: Make sure to space your kale plants well, as they can get quite large and need plenty of air circulation.
2. Carrots: A Root Veggie for the Ages
Another veggie I’ve had great success with when planting in early summer is carrots. Carrots need a long growing season, so starting them in early summer allows them to develop their full flavor and size before the cold weather sets in.
I still remember the first time I tried to grow carrots for winter harvest. My initial attempts weren’t great—I planted them too late and ended up with tiny, underdeveloped roots that didn’t make it through the winter. Once I started planting in early summer, though, I saw a noticeable improvement. By the time fall rolled around, the carrots were sweet, crisp, and perfect for storing or using fresh.
Tip: Thin your carrots as they grow to ensure they have enough space to develop properly.
3. Spinach: Cold-Hardy and Delicious
Spinach is another plant that I swear by for early summer planting. It’s quick-growing and loves the cooler temperatures that come with fall and winter. I plant my spinach around mid-summer, and by late fall, I’m usually harvesting tender, flavorful leaves that can be used in soups, salads, and stir-fries.
One of my early mistakes with spinach was trying to grow it in the heat of late summer. I didn’t realize that spinach prefers cooler weather, so it bolted (went to seed) too early. Since then, I’ve made sure to plant my spinach in mid-to-late summer to ensure that it has the perfect growing conditions for a winter harvest.
Tip: If you live in a region with particularly harsh winters, try covering your spinach with row covers or a cold frame to extend the growing season.
4. Broccoli: The Cool-Weather Champion
Broccoli is a vegetable I never thought I’d be able to grow for winter harvest until I tried planting it early in summer. Broccoli actually thrives in cooler weather, and starting it in early summer gives it enough time to mature before the frost arrives.
When I first started growing broccoli, I was intimidated by how long it takes to mature, but I soon learned that patience is key. By planting in early summer, I gave my broccoli plants enough time to establish themselves and produce beautiful heads of broccoli by fall. Even after the first frost, I’ve been able to harvest and enjoy fresh broccoli well into winter.
Tip: Keep an eye on your broccoli and harvest the heads when they’re still tight and firm to avoid them flowering prematurely.
5. Swiss Chard: A Resilient Green
Swiss chard is one of those vegetables that seems to be made for the winter garden. It’s incredibly cold-hardy, and once you plant it in early summer, it grows vigorously, providing you with tender, nutritious greens for the colder months.
I’ve had nothing but success with Swiss chard—my first experience growing it was a breeze. I planted it in early summer, and by fall, I was able to harvest leaves to add to soups, salads, and sautés. The best part? Swiss chard tends to keep growing even through the winter months, making it an excellent addition to your garden if you want fresh greens all year round.
Tip: Regularly harvest the outer leaves to encourage new growth, and be sure to water consistently to keep the plants healthy.
Preparing for Winter: Extra Tips for Success
Beyond just planting, there are a few extra steps I’ve taken to ensure my winter garden really thrives. For starters, I use row covers or cold frames for extra protection as the weather cools. These simple additions help maintain a warm microclimate around your plants and extend their growing season.
I also mulch heavily in the fall to insulate the soil and protect plant roots from freezing temperatures. This has been a game-changer for me in terms of keeping my winter garden strong and productive.
Tip: As the weather cools, reduce watering frequency, but continue to monitor soil moisture. Over-watering during the winter can lead to root rot.
Final Thoughts: A Thriving Winter Garden Starts Now
Over the years, I’ve learned that planting for a thriving winter garden really does begin in early summer. If you can get these crops established while the days are still long and warm, you’ll be amazed at how well they fare when the cold sets in. I’ve reaped the rewards of my early summer planting and enjoyed a continuous harvest throughout the fall and winter seasons.
So, take it from me: don’t wait until the last minute! Start planning ahead and get those seeds in the ground. The effort you put in now will pay off when you’re enjoying fresh, homegrown vegetables all winter long.
If you found this information helpful, be sure to like, share, and subscribe to Lawnmowing99 for more gardening tips and advice. And feel free to share your own early summer planting experiences in the comments—I’d love to hear what’s worked for you! Happy gardening, and here’s to a thriving winter harvest! 🌱🍂