The Best Plants for Cold and Hot Climates
Spring is approaching and you may be getting antsy to start planning your garden! It’s time to start choosing what plants to grow and when (for help with this, check out our 45 page garden planner!) But maybe you haven’t had the best success in the past, or you simply aren’t sure which plant varieties are best suited for your climate. Has your lettuce always been bitter, or have your peppers never reached maturity before the cold weather sets in? This could all be due to picking the wrong vegetables for your particular climate. While there are workarounds for this, some people don’t have time, money, or the inclination to set up hoop houses/ a greenhouse. Keep in mind that many of these vegetables can be planted in most zones, but some will just thrive better in certain climates. Ok, let’s get into the best plants for hot and cold climates!
Vegetables that Thrive in a Cold Climate
There are many vegetables that prefer colder weather. Many times these vegetables are called cold hardy or cold tolerant and can do perfectly well in a shorter growing season (usually zones 7 and lower). This means many of them can survive some frost or nights when temperatures dip below 50 degrees fahrenheit. I live in zone 6a, which means I have a nice warm summer and chilly winters. This means I can’t plant certain vegetables like peppers until the danger of frost has passed. Because peppers need a long growing season, this makes it a little more difficult to get a good crop. Especially if you don’t have a little greenhouse. However, vegetables like broccoli and kale are perfect for my climate. They like the cold and can thrive just fine when it’s a bit nippy outside. Ok, Let’s get into the vegetables that will be best for cold climates.
- Root Vegetables
Carrots, turnips, radish, parsnip, beets, and rutabaga are all great root vegetables to grow in cold climates. They can withstand temperatures as low as 28 degrees fahrenheit. While the leafy tops of the vegetables may die, the roots will be ok, especially if mulched. Most root veggies even improve in flavor once a frost or two has come and gone, as they get sweeter. If you have a short growing season, try planting these vegetables in mid-late summer for a fall crop.
- Greens
Greens are great for cold climates, as they prefer to grow in the cold. You can grow greens in both the spring and fall. Try growing kale, different varieties of lettuce, spinach, chard, and collard greens. Most greens like the temperature to be around 55-65 degrees, but some greens like kale can be covered in snow and still be harvestable. Check for ultra cold hardy varieties of each green, like red russian or siberian kale. Once established, Siberian kale can even be hardy down to -10 degree weather.
- Brassicas
Vegetables that are in the brassica family are often a great option for cold climate growers. Broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, brussel sprouts, and cauliflower are all great options. The ideal day time temp for their growth is between 60-70 degrees and they can withstand temperatures as low as the 20’s.
Vegetables that Thrive in a Hot Climate
Those who are blessed with a longer growing season (generally zones 8 and up), have a great opportunity to grow vegetables and fruits that take much longer to come to maturity, like peppers and melons. These fruits and veg need nice warm weather and plenty of sun to produce well. Let’s talk about what to grow if you live in a hot climate.
- Peppers
If you live in a warm climate, you’re in the perfect place to grow peppers. Peppers can take anywhere from 70-120 days from transplanting to reach maturity. For many, this is far too long to get a really good crop, unless you’re using a greenhouse or polytunnel. While peppers don’t like it too hot, a consistent warm temp is desirable.
- Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are another crop that takes a while to reach maturity. They can take anywhere from 80-150 days to reach maturity, depending on the variety you choose. They like temperatures from 85-95 degrees. If it does get above these temperatures, you’ll just wanna make sure your potatoes are well watered.
- Eggplants
Eggplants are another great option. They like hot temperatures of 80-90 degrees. If planted from seed, they will take around 100-120 days to reach maturity, so a long growing season is ideal.
- Melons
Melons like it nice and warm to grow, between 85-95 degrees. While they can grow at slightly cooler temperatures, their growth slows. Try growing watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew.
- Okra
Okra is one of the crops that is a two for one. It produces the most beautiful flowers, which then turn into delicious pods that you can use in many delicious dishes. Okra likes warm temperatures, and while it reaches maturity quicker than most of the other vegetables here, it will continue to produce for almost three months.
Solutions for Both Climates
If you find you want to grow certain veggies that don’t fit perfectly in your climate, there are a few solutions you can try.
Cold Climates
Trying to grow some crops that require a longer growing season? Here’s a few solutions.
- Start seedlings early indoors. This will ensure your vegetables get a head start, as you won’t be able to directly sow their seeds early enough, because of frost.
- Use a greenhouse, hoophouse, cold frames, and cloches. By covering your crops with plastic or glass, this creates a protective cover that protects them from wind. Also, because of the glass and plastic used, the inside of your greenhouse/polytunnel etc. will get very warm and create the right growing conditions for warm loving plants, even if it’s far too cold outside.
Hot Climates
If the heat of the sun is too much for some of the crops you want to grow, try some of these solutions.
- For heat sensitive plants, try shade netting. This can keep the soil temperatures stay lower and give your plants the temperatures they need to thrive.
- Mulch around your plants to keep soil temperatures lower and moist, so that your plants survive.
- Make sure to give them enough water.
