🪴 What Edibles Can You Overwinter in Containers?

Just because the temperatures drop doesn’t mean your container garden has to go dormant. With a little planning (and protection from the cold), you can keep certain edible plants alive all winter long — giving you a jumpstart on next spring’s harvest!

🌱 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫?

Overwintering means keeping plants alive through the cold months so they re-sprout when temperatures rise. It saves time, money, and gives you mature plants that bounce back earlier than new seedlings.

🧄 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬

𝟏. 𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐜

Plant cloves in the fall, burying them 2–3 inches deep in a large, well-draining pot. Keep outside through winter — garlic actually needs the cold to form bulbs.

𝟐. 𝐎𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 (𝐁𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐭𝐬)

Hardy onion types overwinter well in containers. Just protect the pots from extreme freezing by moving them against a wall or wrapping them with burlap.

𝟑. 𝐊𝐚𝐥𝐞

A cold-weather champ! Kale can survive frost and even snow. Place containers in a sunny spot and cover with a light frost cloth during extreme cold.

𝟒. 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐜𝐡

Spinach can handle light freezes and will regrow quickly in early spring. Keep soil moist and mulch lightly for insulation.

𝟓. 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐬

If planted in deep containers, carrots can stay in the soil through winter in many zones. Cover the tops with straw or leaves for protection.

𝟔. 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 (𝐓𝐡𝐲𝐦𝐞, 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬, 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐲, 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐭)

Perennial herbs are great overwinter candidates. Move them to a protected patio, sunny window, or unheated garage with light.

❄️ 𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠

* Insulate Containers: Wrap with bubble wrap, burlap, or old blankets to protect roots.

* Water Sparingly: Keep soil just slightly damp—too much moisture can cause rot.

* Shelter from Wind: Group containers near walls or fences for extra protection.

* Mulch Generously: Add a 2–3 inch layer of straw or shredded leaves.

🌿 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝

Come spring, you’ll be amazed at how quickly your overwintered edibles bounce back. While everyone else is just sowing seeds, you’ll already be harvesting!

👉 Have you ever overwintered edibles in containers? Tell us what’s survived your winter—and what you’ll be trying again this year!

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