Winter crops, including root vegetables, chicory, and cruciferous vegetables, can thrive in cooler temperatures. Fruits such as citrus, kiwis, and pears are also commonly grown in warm climates. Winter wheat is a commercial crop sown in the fall and harvested in the summer. Some crops, like celery and lettuce, can be grown year-round in temperate zones but cannot tolerate high temperatures. Cruciferous vegetables and root crops are harvested during the winter and can keep well into spring.
Most people think of planting crops in the spring and harvesting them in the summer and fall. A number of plants, however, do well in cooler temperatures. These winter crops include root vegetables, chicory and cruciferous vegetables, which are members of the cabbage family. Some fruits are also commonly grown as winter crops in warm climates. These include citrus fruits, kiwis and some varieties of pears.
Winter-grown oranges, grapefruit and lemons are sweeter than at any other time. Tangerines and satsumas are also winter crops in warmer climates. In the United States, Florida and California have a thriving agricultural industry that produces fruits and vegetables year round. Winter crops and vegetables that keep well are available, so consumers can have access to fresh produce at any time of the year.
Winter wheat is a commercial crop sown in the fall in North America, Europe and parts of northern Asia. This type of wheat is sown in the fall and sprouts before temperatures drop in winter when it goes dormant. Winter wheat requires cold temperatures before it can flower and is harvested in the summer. Some other cereals are grown as winter crops and used as a ground cover to prevent erosion and replace nutrients in the soil that may have been taken up by previous plantings. Winter rye is commonly used as a winter ground cover as it is cold tolerant and has a large root system that is good for controlling erosion.
In some temperate climates, there are other crops that will live through the winter and be ready to harvest when temperatures rise in late winter or early spring. Some winter crops can be grown year-round in certain climates, but cannot tolerate high temperatures. Celery, some lettuce varieties, and other greens such as chard, kale, and spinach can be grown year-round in temperate zones, but cannot tolerate high summer temperatures in tropical climates. In some regions, cabbage, parsley and cauliflower can also be grown all year round.
Some winter crops are grown in the fall and harvested in the winter. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, bok choy, and collard greens thrive in cooler temperatures and are harvested during the winter. Root crops such as beets, potatoes and carrots also prefer cool temperatures. Radishes, garlic and onions are other winter crops that grow best in cool temperatures. These roots keep well even after being harvested in winter and can often last well into spring.
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