The Best Vegetables and Flowers to Winter Sow

January 26, 2026

For stronger seedlings and earlier harvests, try winter sowing. This process includes starting seeds outdoors in clean containers and letting them naturally cold stratify, resulting in hardier transplants that mature faster than indoor-started plants. Our guide covers nine perfect candidates for winter sowing, from tasty greens to cut flowers.

Ready for winter sowing? Get cold-hardy seeds from our partners at Botanical Interests with 20% off your cart using code MODFARM.

Happy Growing!

The Modern Farmer Team

For farms in colder areas, starting seeds in time for the spring market requires a significant amount of time and indoor space. Winter sowing is a method that can be done outdoors and gives seedlings a stronger constitution as they mature. Here, we share plants that thrive when winter sown.