Minnesota winters are no joke, but some vegetables can handle the freeze. These hardy picks make gardening possible even when the cold feels endless.
I’ve seen them push through frosty mornings with no problem at all. Let’s see which vegetables are built for the challenge.
1. Kale
Frost actually improves kale’s flavor, making it sweeter and more delicious. Many Minnesota gardeners leave it in the ground even after light snowfalls, harvesting fresh leaves throughout early winter.
The cold triggers this leafy green to convert starches into sugars, creating nature’s frost protection. Varieties like ‘Winterbor’ and ‘Lacinato’ perform exceptionally well in Minnesota’s challenging climate.
2. Carrots
Left in the ground under a thick layer of mulch, carrots develop an intensely sweet flavor throughout winter. The cold temperatures convert their starches to sugars, creating nature’s antifreeze within the roots.
Many Minnesota families enjoy the tradition of digging through snow to harvest these sweet treats. For best results, plant them in late summer for a delicious winter harvest right from your snow-covered garden.
3. Garlic
Fall-planted garlic needs Minnesota’s cold winter to develop properly. The cloves establish roots before winter, then go dormant during the coldest months. Come spring, they’ll shoot up vigorously.
Mulch heavily with straw to protect from temperature fluctuations that might push plants out of the soil. Hardneck varieties like ‘German Extra Hardy’ and ‘Music’ perform especially well in the northern regions of the state.
4. Parsnips
Sweet and nutty after frost exposure, parsnips are true Minnesota winter champions. The cold converts their starches to sugar, resulting in roots that taste almost like candy when roasted.
Marking their location before snow falls helps with mid-winter harvesting. Minnesota gardeners often wait until after the first few frosts to dig them up, as the flavor improves dramatically with each cold snap.
5. Brussels Sprouts
Standing tall like miniature palm trees, Brussels sprouts actually improve with frost exposure. The cold triggers sugar development, making them tastier and less bitter than their warm-weather counterparts.
Many Minnesota gardeners plan their harvest for after the first hard frost. These sturdy plants can withstand temperatures down to 20°F, making them perfect for the state’s unpredictable fall weather patterns.
6. Leeks
Hardy and resilient, leeks stand like soldiers through Minnesota’s early winter storms. Their flavor actually mellows and sweetens after exposure to frost, making winter-harvested leeks especially prized.
Mounding soil or mulch around the stalks helps protect them from extreme cold. Minnesota chefs particularly value these frost-kissed alliums for their rich flavor in winter soups and stews when fresh local produce is scarce.
7. Rutabagas
Often overlooked but incredibly hardy, rutabagas develop their best flavor after experiencing frost. Their large roots store well right in Minnesota’s cold soil, protected by a layer of insulating snow.
Harvest can continue until the ground freezes solid. Many Minnesota families have passed down recipes featuring this versatile root vegetable, which becomes sweeter and more complex-tasting after cold exposure.
8. Spinach
Fall-planted spinach often survives Minnesota winters under snow cover, ready to grow again in spring. This cold-hardy green actually becomes sweeter after frost exposure, losing its characteristic bitterness.
Using row covers provides extra protection during extreme cold snaps. Minnesota gardeners appreciate how this nutritional powerhouse offers the first fresh greens of spring, sometimes even pushing up through melting snow.
9. Turnips
Quick-growing turnips planted in late summer provide both greens and roots for Minnesota’s cold season. The white roots develop a surprisingly sweet flavor after frost exposure, while the greens remain tender and delicious.
Mulching helps extend the harvest well into winter. Throughout Minnesota’s agricultural history, these versatile vegetables have been valued for their ability to provide fresh nutrition during the longest, coldest months.
10. Collard Greens
Standing tall through frost and light snow, collard greens actually become tastier as temperatures drop. The cold triggers these leafy vegetables to produce sugars that act as natural antifreeze.
Many Minnesota gardeners harvest these nutritional powerhouses well into December. Their tall structure makes them easy to find even after light snowfall, providing fresh greens when most gardens have long since stopped producing.
11. Scallions
Surprisingly tough despite their delicate appearance, scallions often survive Minnesota’s early winter with minimal protection. Their slender form makes them perfect for tucking into protected garden corners.
A thick layer of straw mulch keeps them harvesting into winter. Throughout Minnesota’s growing regions, these versatile alliums provide fresh flavor when other garden crops have long since disappeared under the snow.
12. Cabbage
Late-season cabbage varieties develop remarkable cold tolerance, standing firm against Minnesota’s first frosts. Their tight heads act as natural insulators, protecting the inner leaves from damage.
Storage varieties can be harvested after several hard frosts. Minnesota’s Scandinavian heritage features many traditional recipes using winter cabbage, from sauerkraut to hearty soups that sustained families through the coldest months.
13. Arugula
Spicy in warm weather, arugula develops a milder, nutty flavor after exposure to Minnesota’s cold temperatures. This fast-growing green often self-seeds, surprising gardeners with volunteer plants in early spring.
Row covers extend the harvest season well into early winter. Throughout Minnesota’s growing zones, this peppery green provides fresh salads long after other garden greens have succumbed to freezing temperatures.
14. Beets
Buried under a thick layer of mulch, beets withstand impressive cold while developing sweeter flavor. Both the roots and greens remain harvestable well into Minnesota’s early winter months.
Fall-planted beets often size up before true winter sets in. Minnesota gardeners particularly value these colorful roots for their storage quality, providing fresh nutrition throughout the winter when properly stored in cool, humid conditions.