by Jessica A. Tucker

Created on: December 28, 2010   Last Updated: January 05, 2011

Although many people are choosing to grow their own vegetables, those living in colder climates of the planet may find that the whole process is slightly different than that of a warmer, growth friendly climate. These colder climates usually deal with a shorter growing season, low and unstable temperatures, and varying to low humidity levels. These factors all play a significant part in why hardier varieties of vegetables and plant selection is so important to growing vegetables in a cold climate.

Depending on how cold of a climate you may be dealing with, often the only choice for growing a luscious garden that will sustain the kitchen throughout the year is to grow in a green house or even hydroponically. When in a cold climate with a moderately lengthy growing season, a successful vegetable garden is very much, more than, possible. By simply pay attention to how other plants in your climate grow and adapting your planting strategies to the natural timing of the climate will make a significant difference to the output of your vegetable garden.

Plant selection

When growing vegetables in cold climates, plant selection is of the utmost importance. As mentioned, hardier varieties of vegetables and herbs should be selected for planting in your cold climate garden as well as plants meant specifically for your growing zone. If unsure of the planting zone of your area, a phone call or visit to your local garden store should answer any questions.

Starting vegetables in cold climates

When starting vegetables in cold climates, much like in any climate, the delicate shoots and roots of these young plants are best started in a warm and humid environment, unless dealing with seeds that must be planted in the ground. Young vegetables plants should be kept in the warmth of indoors, either on a warm window sill or greenhouse (if available) until the last of the frost is over and the warmth of spring can be felt in the air. At this point, young plants can be hardened off by being slowly accustomed to the temperatures of outside for brief periods of time. If foliage begins to curl or wilt, plants should be immediately returned to their warmer environment. Once any fear of night time temperatures of below zero, young plants should be fine to transplant into the garden or containers.

Planting vegetables in cold climates

In colder climates, vegetables should never be planted before the last hard frost of the spring has hit. Once gardens and soils are preped and ready for planting,

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