How to Prepare Your Garden for the First Frost (Plus 18 Vegetables That will Survive!)

You’ve planted the garden, and it’s come up great. It’s the end of the gardening season, and honestly, you’re kind of sick of gardening. But fall is in the air, and the first frost of the season is looming. And now you have questions…

What vegetables will survive a frost? How cold is too cold for a garden? And so many more.

In this post, I’ll tell you what you need to do when frost is in the forecast and what can wait until later. Let’s get into it!

A variety of tomatoes in different shapes and colors are arranged on a white surface. The tomatoes range from green and yellow to orange and red, creating a gradient effect. — These tomatoes will not survive a frost. You’ll have to pick them even if they’re green.

When Do I Need To Start Worrying About the First Frost?

Three weeks before the typical first frost in your area, you’ll need to start checking the weather every day to see what your nightly forecasted low is. When the forecast predicts temperatures ranging from 2 degrees Celsius or lower, it’s time to prepare your garden for the first frost of the year.

Unsure when your first frost date is? Google the search terms “first frost date” + your location (e.g. first frost date Saskatoon, SK).

Next, you need to decide whether to cover your plants when the frost hits or pull everything and keep letting it grow. If you decide to cover everything, you’ll want to source some old sheets and blankets now so you’re ready for the first risk of frost. Sheets will protect your vegetables from approximately 2 degrees Celsius to -2 or -3 degrees Celsius.

Close-up of frost-speckled purple statice flowers with jagged petals and green leaves in a garden setting. The background is blurred, highlighting the vibrant purple blooms.

What’s the difference between a regular frost and a hard frost or killing frost?

Speaking of frosts, not all frosts are created equal. A normal frost happens when the temperature reaches 0 degrees Celsius, or 32 degrees Fahrenheit. A hard frost or killing frost occurs when the temperature reaches -5 degrees Celsius or lower. At this point, all but a few varieties of kale and most root vegetables will be okay. There are always exceptions, of course.

If you decide to pull your garden, here are which vegetables must be pulled and which can wait until a hard frost is imminent…

Which Vegetables are not Frost Tolerant?

All heat-loving vegetables, such as tomatoes, squash, eggplant, and cucumbers, need to be pulled, or they will be ruined by a frost. Pick the tomatoes and squash, even if they are green. They will continue to ripen indoors.

I would typically pull other vegetables that can tolerate a light frost if needed. Pumpkins, corn, and potatoes will all be fine up to -2 degrees Celsius.

An assortment of colorful pumpkins and gourds in various shapes and sizes, ranging from white to green to orange, creating a vibrant autumn harvest display.

18 Frost Tolerant Vegetables

Thankfully, many cold-tolerant vegetables will survive a frost without you doing anything. Some crops listed below are fine until -2 Celsius, while others will hold up until around -10 Celsius.

Here’s a list of vegetables that can withstand the cold:

arugula
Asian greens (bok choi, pak choi, etc.)
beets
broccoli
brussels sprouts
cabbage
carrots
cauliflower
collard greens
corn
kale
lettuce
parsnips
peas
pumpkins
spinach
Swiss chard
turnips

A purple ornamental cabbage with textured green and frost-speckled leaves is surrounded by dry grass in a natural setting.

Will My Flowers in Containers Die in a Frost?

Yes. Almost all of your annual flowers, except for snapdragons, rudbeckia, chrysanthemums, and petunias, will die. There may be others that will hang on, but most will not make it. To avoid your pots dying, bring them indoors or put them in a sheltered place, like a garage or shed. Then, take them out again in the morning. ou could also put a blanket over them if you need to keep them indoors.

A vibrant garden scene featuring tall pink and white snapdragons surrounded by various flowers, including some purple blooms. In the background, lush green foliage and a small greenhouse are visible.

If you liked this blog post, follow me on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram for more cold-climate gardening tips, delicious recipes, and cut flower goodness! I also make weekly videos over on my YouTube channel. I hope to see you there!

NEED HELP IN THE GARDEN?

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Comments

Heather

One more thing - some root vegetables taste and/or store better after a hard frost. Carrots, beets, and even potatoes (if the potato plants haven't already died), store for much longer if they've been hardened by a good frost. And frankly, carrots just taste better after that frost. I say this sitting in Regina, waiting not-so-patiently for that frost, so I can get my veggies out of the ground and cleaned up for winter!

Cassandra Baird

Thank you for making it easy. I asked a question, you gave me a direct answer. What a concept!!!! Believe it or not,this was the 4th article i read and I finally got an answer. Thank you for your time and knowledge. Gotta go pick the tomatoes and bring in some plants. God bless.