Cold Hardy Herbs & Vegetables to Winter Sow

Hardy Herbs & Vegetables – Group 2 Seeds

Group 2 seeds germinate in cool weather and thrive when given the chance to grow in cool temperatures. To know when to sow these seeds in your climate, you need to understand what type of winter you have: mild or harsh?

Mild Winter

Rarely dips below 28°F for extended periods. (Rule of thumb: If your ground freezes are light, short, or rare, you're in a mild winter area.)

When to start: Begin Group 2 seeds as early as the first frost in fall and throughout the winter months while nights stay below 40°F. Seedlings will germinate once exposed to cool temperatures and can overwinter safely with minimal protection due to their hardiness. Keep jugs in the shade until germination, and monitor soil moisture regularly. The warmer your winter, the earlier you'll want to start.

Harsh Winter

Regularly drops below 28°F and experiences several days, weeks, or even months of hard freeze. (Rule of thumb: If your ground freezes deeply and stays frozen for more than a few days, you're in a harsh winter area.)

When to Start: Begin Group 2 seeds in mid-winter to avoid premature sprouting during late warm spells that come before deep freezes. Start no later than 8 weeks before your average last frost date to ensure high germination rates and optimal growth before summer heat arrives.

What to Sow

Hardy Herbs

Herbs are the multitaskers every garden needs. They flavor your meals, heal the body, attract pollinators, deter pests, and add subtle beauty with an aromatic presence. Herbs play a key role in having a balanced garden. Though notoriously difficult to start from seed, winter sowing herbs is one of the best ways to get high germination rates, and one winter sown container goes a very long way!

Culinary