Cold Winter Areas
Zones: 1–7a
These zones experience cold winters with extended periods of freezing temperatures. In March, monitor soil conditions, thaw cycles, and late frosts as you prepare for early outdoor sowing. Indoors, this is a busy month for starting cool-season crops and hardy flowers under lights or in a greenhouse so they are ready to transplant as soon as the weather warms.
Indoors (fresh harvests):
- Microgreens: peas, broccoli, sunflowers, arugula.
- Sprouts: alfalfa, broccoli, radish, mung
- Herbs & greens under lights: chives, parsley, mint
Crops to start indoors in good light: bunching onion, eggplant, tomato, pepper, zinnia, basil, Swiss chard, cosmos
Transplants to move outdoors (weather permitting - harden first): Onion, parsley, broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, arugula, pansy, viola
Crops that can be directly sown outdoors in March (assume intermittent frosts; a low tunnel or row cover makes most of these reliable): pak choi, cabbage, kale, mustard, fava bean, pea, turnip, parsnip, sweet pea
Cover crops: winter rye, fava bean, hairy vetch, red or white clover, and cover crop mixes.
Tip: This zone group covers a lot of territory. Nothing takes the place of talking with experienced gardeners in your area and, of course, watching the weather closely.
Use your USDA zone as a guide. Microclimates matter—coastal/urban spots run warmer; high elevation runs colder. 7b pockets can follow “Mild” recommendations with protection.
50
100
true
//store.trueleafmarket.com/cdn/shop/t/54/assets/review-fallback.json?v=33078429469613971781712858278
![Legend: H for Heirloom, O for Organic, A for AAS Winner, F for staff favorites]()
Melon Seeds - Cantaloupe - Athena Hybrid
75 Days to maturity. Cucumis melo. Athena Hybrid Cantaloupe Melon Seeds. A non-GMO, annual, hybrid, heat-tolerant Cantaloupe Melon. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Resistant to...
Lettuce Seeds - Romaine - Little Caesar
Little Caesar Lettuce Seeds. 70 days to maturity. Lactuca sativa. Heirloom, Annual. Little Caesar Lettuce is a very attractive, tall romaine type with crisp, bright green outer leaves and golden-blanched...
Mustard Seeds - Japanese Komatsuna
Japanese Komatsuna Mustard Seeds. 30 to 50 Days to full maturity. 8 to 12 days to microgreens harvest. Brassica rapa var. perviridis. Annual. Heirloom, Non-GMO, Open Pollinated. Komatsuna is popular...
Tomato Seeds - Salad - Moneymaker
75 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycopersicum. Moneymaker Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, warm season annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat tolerant, indeterminate, salad tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds,...
Cucumber Seeds - Soarer - Hybrid
55-60 Days to maturity. Cucumis sativus ‘Soarer’. Soarer Cucumber Seeds. Warm-season annual hybrid. Non-GMO. Soarer is valued particularly for its flavor. This Japanese burpless cucumber hybrid is easy to grow...
Chinese Cabbage Seeds - Chun Yeon Gold - Hybrid
60-70 Days to maturity. Brassica rapa var pekinensis 'Chun Yeon Gold'. Chun Yeon Gold Hybrid Chinese Cabbage Seeds. Annual Hybrid. Chun Yeon Gold is a napa-type Chinese Cabbage that develops...
Tomato Seeds - Cherry - Sweetie (Organic)
65-70 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycoperscium. Organic Sweetie Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom, indeterminate cherry tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses....
Gourds Seeds - Large & Small Mix
Large and Small Gourd Mix is ready in 90-120 days. This mix of small and large, non-gmo gourd seeds is a collection of gourds that will grow into different shapes...
Beet Seeds - Green Top Bunching
Beta vulgaris (60 days) Green Top Bunching beets have flattened globe shaped roots. Beet roots are red and tasty. Perfect for cooking or pickling. Approx. 1,500 seeds/ounce. Beet Seeds -...
Bean Seeds - Bush - Broad Windsor Fava
70-85 Days to maturity. Vicia faba. Broad Windsor Fava Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, bush, shell, fava bean. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses....
Okra Seeds - Cows Horn
Abelmoschus esculentus (55 days) This heirloom okra dates back to around the Civil War. It has a twisted shape that resembles a cow's horn. These large pods can reach 14"...
Kale Seeds - Red
Red Kale Seeds. Brassica napus. Annual. Open Pollinated, Heirloom, Non-GMO. Excellent option for growing as a microgreen. 8 to 12 days for microgreen harvest, 20 to 25 days for baby...
Celery Seeds - Redventure - Organic
500 mg 1,000-1,500 Organic celery seeds per package. A cross between Giant Red Celery and Ventura Celery. Ventura is one of the most adaptive and resilient celery varieties. Giant red...
Chinese Leek Seeds - Flowering
65-75 days to maturity. Allium tuberosum ‘Flowering’. Flowering Chinese Leek Seeds. Non-GMO, cool-season perennial heirloom. This popular Chinese specialty herb is a vigorous perennial. It is grown for its young...
Mustard Seeds - Greenwave
Non-GMO, Heirloom Green Wave Mustard Seeds from True Leaf Market. Green Wave Mustard is a terrific all-purpose mustard green. Its bright green ruffled leaves have a moderately hot flavor. Cooking...
Beet Seeds - Crosby Egyptian
Beta vulgaris (60 days) Egyptian type beets were created in the 1860s by the Germans. The Crosby strain was selected by Josiah Crosby of Arlington, Massachusetts and introduced by The...
Carrot Seeds - Brilliance
The Brilliance Carrot typically grows to 8-10 inches long in root length, with another 10-12 inches top length. Plant the seeds directly outside in full sun. Best grown when planted...
Dundale Pea - Cover Crop Seeds
60-70 Days. Pisum sativum subsp. arvense. Non-GMO. Heirloom. Open-Pollinated. Often known as "field pea" or simply "Dun pea", the non-GMO Dundale pea is a popular cool-weather cover crop, widely grown...
Mustard Seeds - Red Garnet
40 Days to maturity. Brassica juncea. Red Garnet Mustard Seeds. Non-GMO, Annual. Red Garnet Mustard is much like its related Japanese Red Giant and Japanese Giant Garnet cousins displaying a...
Cabbage Seeds - Green Express
Green Express Cabbage Seeds. 50 days to maturity. Heirloom, Annual. Can be grown in containers. Brassica oleracea. New 50 day maturing bright green mini cabbage. Approximately 6,800 seeds/ounce Download Free...
Corn Seeds - Dent - Pencil Cob
Zea mays Pencil Cob (73-100 days) is was named this way because the cob can be as thin as a pencil. This produces long and deep kernels. 73-100 Days to...
Broccoli Seeds - Chinese Broccoli - Early Jade - Hybrid
40-50 days to maturity. Brassica oleracea var alboglabra ‘Early Jade’. Early Jade Chinese Broccoli Seeds. Non-GMO, Hybrid, Cool-season Annual. Closely related to European cabbage, Chinese Broccoli was introduced to China...
Pea Seeds - Shelling - Lincoln (Treated)
60-70 Days to maturity. Pisum sativum. Lincoln Pea (Treated) Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom. Suitable for growing in fields, containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Resistant to powdery mildew...
Lettuce Seeds - Crisphead - Blonde De Paris
50-60 days. Blonde de Paris Batavia Lettuce Seeds. Lactuca sativa. Non-GMO. Open Pollinated. An award-winning and absolutely hardy cultivar of butter head, Buttercrunch is tender, delicious, and looks as good...
Cabbage Seeds - Brunswick
Brassica oleracea (70 days) Introduced 1924. Large drumhead type cabbage. This cold hardy cabbage is perfect for fall/winter growing. Originating in Germany this cabbage makes an excellent sauerkraut that has...
Pepper Seeds - Hot - Firecracker
120-140 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Firecracker Hot Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, heirloom, open-pollinated, deer-resistant, heat-tolerant, hot pepper with hot heat levels. 30,000-40,000 Scoville Heat Units. Suitable for...
Agastache Seeds - Korean Mint
55-65 days to maturity. Agastache rugosa. Korean Mint Agastache Seeds. Non-GMO, Heirloom, Perennial in Zones 4-9. Korean Mint is a drought-tolerant aromatic herb in the mint family that is native...
Bean Seeds - Bush - Golden Wax (Organic)
50-55 Days to maturity. Phaseolus vulgaris. Organic Golden Wax Bush Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom, high-yielding, bush, snap wax bean. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised...
[
{
"featured_image": "files/melon-cantaloupe-athena-hybrid-seeds-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SeedPouch_25ae345b-350a-416a-b15d-1a7439739418.jpg",
"price": 419,
"handle": "melon-cantaloupe-athena-hybrid-seeds",
"title": "Melon Seeds - Cantaloupe - Athena Hybrid",
"url": "/products/melon-cantaloupe-athena-hybrid-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/lettuce-seeds-romaine-little-caesar-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/MVS-generic-packet-com_0e37d7ca-c84f-41db-91db-8f946f478698.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "lettuce-seeds-romaine-little-caesar",
"title": "Lettuce Seeds - Romaine - Little Caesar",
"url": "/products/lettuce-seeds-romaine-little-caesar",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/agastache-seeds-rugosa-korean-mint-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-premium_b307ca27-d446-4161-8777-c1580d22aafb.png",
"price": 399,
"handle": "agastache-seeds-rugosa-korean-mint",
"title": "Agastache Seeds - Korean Mint",
"url": "/products/agastache-seeds-rugosa-korean-mint",
"available": false
},
{
"featured_image": "files/mustard-seeds-japanese-komatsuna-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "",
"price": 199,
"handle": "mustard-seeds-japanese-komatsuna",
"title": "Mustard Seeds - Japanese Komatsuna",
"url": "/products/mustard-seeds-japanese-komatsuna",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/tomato-seeds-moneymaker-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Pouch_1_a03ed5f0-d52e-4906-963d-5dcfdac71914.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "tomato-seeds-moneymaker",
"title": "Tomato Seeds - Salad - Moneymaker",
"url": "/products/tomato-seeds-moneymaker",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/cucumber-seeds-soarer-hybrid-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-premium_a4476036-80dd-4b58-b309-21a44f75b1cc.png",
"price": 399,
"handle": "cucumber-seeds-soarer-hybrid",
"title": "Cucumber Seeds - Soarer - Hybrid",
"url": "/products/cucumber-seeds-soarer-hybrid",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/spinach-seeds-chinese-green-arrow-hybrid-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-premium_622a2548-a4b5-4bd6-a112-b381c60f8cd4.png",
"price": 399,
"handle": "spinach-seeds-chinese-green-arrow-hybrid",
"title": "Spinach Seeds - Chinese - Green Arrow - Hybrid",
"url": "/products/spinach-seeds-chinese-green-arrow-hybrid",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "products/cabbage-chun-yeon-gold-com-wm_61f18adc-3b1e-4732-8f2c-9cdfb2d08c0f.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-premium_ddcfbc63-3285-4566-b9f7-a809a37438dc.png",
"price": 199,
"handle": "chinese-cabbage-seeds-chun-yeon-gold-hybrid",
"title": "Chinese Cabbage Seeds - Chun Yeon Gold - Hybrid",
"url": "/products/chinese-cabbage-seeds-chun-yeon-gold-hybrid",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/organic-table-queen-bush-acorn-squash-seed-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SSC-organic-generic-packet-com_762a1aca-9f41-4443-bcfb-a8f27755d1c2.jpg",
"price": 359,
"handle": "organic-table-queen-bush-acorn-squash-seed",
"title": "Squash Seeds - Table Queen Bush Acorn - Organic",
"url": "/products/organic-table-queen-bush-acorn-squash-seed",
"available": false
},
{
"featured_image": "files/tomato-seeds-sweetie-organic-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-1-lb-com_0e9ea867-6ea1-4b78-ab40-574dbc716535.jpg",
"price": 399,
"handle": "tomato-seeds-sweetie-organic",
"title": "Tomato Seeds - Cherry - Sweetie (Organic)",
"url": "/products/tomato-seeds-sweetie-organic",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/soybeans-organic-cover-crop-seeds-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "",
"price": 359,
"handle": "soybeans-organic-cover-crop-seeds",
"title": "Bean Seeds - Bush - Soybean Cover Crop Seeds (Organic)",
"url": "/products/soybeans-organic-cover-crop-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/gourds-large-and-small-mix-seeds-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-sm_5e7c2016-ba09-4c1a-94e8-3afbf4e6b697.png",
"price": 299,
"handle": "gourds-large-and-small-mix-seeds",
"title": "Gourds Seeds - Large & Small Mix",
"url": "/products/gourds-large-and-small-mix-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/green-top-bunching-beets-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Packet_a0d0ce30-6385-4208-aa48-1ccf7d004ba1.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "green-top-bunching-beets",
"title": "Beet Seeds - Green Top Bunching",
"url": "/products/green-top-bunching-beets",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/bean-seeds-golden-wax-organic-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SSC-organic-generic-packet-com_6cf0badd-4ad0-496e-bd62-245ed851d28f.jpg",
"price": 320,
"handle": "bean-seeds-golden-wax-organic",
"title": "Bean Seeds - Bush - Golden Wax (Organic)",
"url": "/products/bean-seeds-golden-wax-organic",
"available": false
},
{
"featured_image": "files/fava-bean-broad-windsor-seed-wm_700_1222x1222_d1f7ce42-f710-44f4-a059-2ea581e32159.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/MVS-generic-packet_1_59074c48-d6ec-4381-88b6-9f7ab89b4c7b.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "copy-of-fava-broad-broad-windsor-vegetable-seeds",
"title": "Bean Seeds - Bush - Broad Windsor Fava",
"url": "/products/copy-of-fava-broad-broad-windsor-vegetable-seeds",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/cows-horn-okra-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-com-sm_a8e64ef5-758f-4833-9aec-6fd5ee4e4354.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "cows-horn-okra",
"title": "Okra Seeds - Cows Horn",
"url": "/products/cows-horn-okra",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/kale-seeds-red-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "",
"price": 289,
"handle": "kale-seeds-red",
"title": "Kale Seeds - Red",
"url": "/products/kale-seeds-red",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/organic-redventure-celery-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/SSC-organic-generic-packet-com_d8dcfebb-a96e-4a0a-bfc2-991dca678b8b.jpg",
"price": 449,
"handle": "organic-redventure-celery",
"title": "Celery Seeds - Redventure - Organic",
"url": "/products/organic-redventure-celery",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/chinese-leek-seeds-flowering-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-premium_572dac86-706e-444a-ab86-11bbd59e7cce.png",
"price": 399,
"handle": "chinese-leek-seeds-flowering",
"title": "Chinese Leek Seeds - Flowering",
"url": "/products/chinese-leek-seeds-flowering",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/mustard-seeds-greenwave-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag_3_1_7f1ef078-f60a-4fcd-96a6-a628ac5a3d67.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "mustard-seeds-greenwave",
"title": "Mustard Seeds - Greenwave",
"url": "/products/mustard-seeds-greenwave",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/crosby-egyptian-beet-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Packet_a45d67ed-df03-40eb-9730-ae8e3b47c495.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "crosby-egyptian-beet",
"title": "Beet Seeds - Crosby Egyptian",
"url": "/products/crosby-egyptian-beet",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/carrot-seeds-brilliance-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Pouch_1_1_1_bc4ef770-d534-4021-bb10-dc6cc5e1817f.jpg",
"price": 329,
"handle": "carrot-seeds-brilliance",
"title": "Carrot Seeds - Brilliance",
"url": "/products/carrot-seeds-brilliance",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/dundale-peas-cover-crops-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-sprouting-seed_ca8f12ba-6d1f-4ab0-b428-b5ebe9c42799.jpg",
"price": 773,
"handle": "dundale-peas-cover-crops",
"title": "Dundale Pea - Cover Crop Seeds",
"url": "/products/dundale-peas-cover-crops",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/mustard-red-garnet-seed-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-sprouting-seed_5d859f82-bb80-46a7-ac9d-9362aa6b1fa7.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "mustard-red-garnet-seed",
"title": "Mustard Seeds - Red Garnet",
"url": "/products/mustard-red-garnet-seed",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/cabbage-seeds-green-express-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-1-lb-com_4ff79bb1-7579-4761-859c-f1218db6badd.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "cabbage-seeds-green-express",
"title": "Cabbage Seeds - Green Express",
"url": "/products/cabbage-seeds-green-express",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/pencil-cob-corn-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Packet_b104ceaf-c3a9-4ce7-a517-3ccca2a59d43.jpg",
"price": 307,
"handle": "pencil-cob-corn",
"title": "Corn Seeds - Dent - Pencil Cob",
"url": "/products/pencil-cob-corn",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/broccoli-seeds-chinese-broccoli-early-jade-hybrid-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-premium_65e13204-d3e9-42de-bbfa-3a54b79e4e17.png",
"price": 399,
"handle": "broccoli-seeds-chinese-broccoli-early-jade-hybrid",
"title": "Broccoli Seeds - Chinese Broccoli - Early Jade - Hybrid",
"url": "/products/broccoli-seeds-chinese-broccoli-early-jade-hybrid",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/pea-lincoln-treated-seed-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-wm_185d6dbd-956f-4d43-8315-2beb10f42936.jpg",
"price": 538,
"handle": "pea-lincoln-treated-seed",
"title": "Pea Seeds - Shelling - Lincoln (Treated)",
"url": "/products/pea-lincoln-treated-seed",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/lettuce-seeds-crisphead-blonde-de-paris-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/non-gmo-seed-bag-1-oz-wm.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "lettuce-seeds-crisphead-blonde-de-paris",
"title": "Lettuce Seeds - Crisphead - Blonde De Paris",
"url": "/products/lettuce-seeds-crisphead-blonde-de-paris",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/garlic-bulbs-softneck-tinchelium-red-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "files/Garlic-Bulbs-Softneck-Artichoke-Group-Inchelium-Red-Pack_60d711d7-58eb-4c07-96ff-54daba04b2d0.jpg",
"price": 1688,
"handle": "garlic-bulbs-softneck-tinchelium-red",
"title": "Garlic Bulbs - Fall - Softneck - Inchelium Red",
"url": "/products/garlic-bulbs-softneck-tinchelium-red",
"available": false
},
{
"featured_image": "files/brunswick-cabbage-Comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Packet_23471869-12a1-48ea-b158-faea402c4c5b.jpg",
"price": 299,
"handle": "brunswick-cabbage",
"title": "Cabbage Seeds - Brunswick",
"url": "/products/brunswick-cabbage",
"available": true
},
{
"featured_image": "files/pepper-seeds-hot-fire-cracker-comp.jpg",
"secondary_image": "products/Seed_Pouch_1_1_1_1_1_1_4eec5723-76f9-41f3-ac23-04cef1e2ffc5.jpg",
"price": 379,
"handle": "pepper-seeds-hot-fire-cracker",
"title": "Pepper Seeds - Hot - Firecracker",
"url": "/products/pepper-seeds-hot-fire-cracker",
"available": true
}
]
