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If you live in a cold climate, for at least part of the year you’ll have frost. As you already know, frost can damage, and even kill a lot of outdoor garden plants.

Since gardening season is coming, you might be excited and not want to wait for the weather to warm up to get started.

The good news is that some plants can survive and even thrive in cold, frosty weather!

So, what garden plants can survive frost? There are many common plants that can survive a frost , like sweet peas, broccoli, carrots and spinach. However you are going to want to make sure it doesn’t get too cold for too long, as even these plants can be damaged with enough cold.

Lets take a look at a full list of these plants that you can keep outside a bit longer than the rest!

1. Sweet peas

Sweet peas are an annual flowering plant that grow to about 1-2 metres with support and are fragrant.

2. Forget-me-nots

Also known as mouse’s ear or scorpion grass, forget-me-nots are a tiny, delicate flower that grows close to the ground

3. Broccoli

This cruciferous veggie is actually pretty before it’s picked. It’s like a giant bouquet, so if you’re growing it, make sure you have lots of space.

4. Cabbage

Cabbage is a “cole crop” or brassicas. This means that it’s in the same same plant family or genus as broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts.

5. Cauliflower

This veggie is surprisingly versatile. It can be made into a low carb pizza crust or as a rice or pasta alternative.

6. Carrots

We all know about orange carrots, but they can also be purple, white, red, yellow and even black!

7. Onions

Onions are part of the Allium genus or family. This includes garlic. They’re both grown as bulbs.

8. Turnips

Turnips are one of the oldest and hardiest veggies. They’re also very slow growing.

They’re biennial, which means they take two years to fully grow.

The first year is for growing and storing nutrients. The next year is for flowering and producing seeds.

9. Parsnips

Parsnips are in the same family as carrots and parsley. Not surprising, since they look like carrots, but are cream coloured and the tops look like parsley.

10. Spinach

This tasty, green leafy plant is packed with nutrients like iron and protein. They taste great in a salad, pasta or even sprinkled on a pizza

11. Kale

Kale is actually a type of cabbage. Some people like to bake and season them to make chips.

12. Collard greens

Collard greens are another leafy green and are part of the same family as broccoli. They’re typically steamed or boiled before they’re eaten to soften them and lessen their mild bitterness.

13. Violets

Violets are a small, bluish purple heart shaped flower. You may have heard of African violets. While they’re lovely, they’re not true violets.

14. Snapdragons

Snapdragons are a flower that gets their name because they resemble a dragon’s head. They’re native to parts of Europe, the US and North Africa and need rocky soil.

Conclusion

It’s important to note that even though these plants can survive and even thrive in cold weather, you’ll still want to protect them.*

This could be frost covers you can buy at the dollar store or garden centre, mulch or a cold frame. Which is similar to a greenhouse, but your plants are in the ground, with the frame around it.

You’d just lift the lid to check on your plants.