Vegetable Gardening in Freezing Climates – Zones 1 thru 3

Hello!

After I blogged about vegetable gardening in warmer climates – Zones 7 thru 10. I thought I should blog about the really cold zones. I recently posted a blog about hardiness grow zones but thought I would get more detailed about growing in the specific zones. Growing zone’s 1 and 2 are only in Alaska for the United States and grow zone 3 is also in Alaska and the most northern states of the US. Greenhouse

Growing Zone 1

There will need to be a bit of planning to grow vegetables in zone 1. You may also be limited on what you can grow in this zone. With having the last frost date the end of June and the first frost date the end of July, of course this could vary a couple weeks one way or the other.

Since the growing season is very short, its recommended you set up an indoor grow room or heated greenhouse to start seeds and get them growing. Growing indoors will allow growing all year around. Here are some vegetables that are easy for indoors.

  • Arugula
  • Broccoli (Sprouting)
  • Chinese Cabbage
  • Lettuce
  • kale
  • Spinach
  • Swiss Chard

Arctic Village Alaska has the coldest zone which is zone 1a. North Pole Alaska is zone 1b. Zone 1a is -60 to -55 degrees and zone 1b is -55 to -50 degrees. If planting the plant outside in May, then start the seeds inside in April. If planting the plants outside in June, then start the seeds inside in May.

The Farmers Almanac states due to year-round risk of frost in this area (Zone 1a), select early-maturing, cool-season vegetable varieties. They also recommend to use growing season extension techniques to protect your crops. Using greenhouses or cold frames would help extend the growing season.
Following the guide above for starting seeds indoors, here is when to plant the vegetable plants outside for zone 1b.

Plant Outdoors in MayCabbage

  • Broccoli
  • Brussels Sprouts
  • Cabbage
  • Cauliflower
  • Kale
  • Kohlrabi
  • Lettuce
  • Oregano
  • Sage
  • Swiss Chard
  • Thyme

Plant Outdoors in June

  • Basil
  • Bell Peppers
  • Cantalopes
  • Celery
  • Cucumbers
  • Egg Plant
  • Pumpkins
  • Rosemary
  • Summer Squash
  • Sweet Potatoes
  • Tomatoes
  • Watermelons

Plant Seeds in the Ground April

Dill

  • Dill
  • Peas
  • Radishes
  • Spinach

Plant seed in the ground May

  • Beets
  • Carrots
  • Chives
  • Cilantro
  • Onions
  • Parsley
  • Parsnips
  • Potatoes
  • Radishes
  • Turnips

Plant seed in the ground June

  • Corn – may not work if ground doesn’t heat up enough
  • Green Beans
  • Okra

Proper planning for zone 1a and 1b gardening will take some thought to extend the growing season using greenhouses and other indoor type gardening.

Growing Zone 2

Growing in zone 2 also has its challenges. Zone 2a -50 to -45 degrees and Zone 2b -45 to -40 degrees.

Greenhouse gardening
There are very few perennial vegetables that are able to withstand extremely cold temperatures. Asparagus can be planted as a perennial, if protected from the extreme weather. When looking for vegetables to grow, consider selecting plants that have a short growing season for optimal results.
In addition to the zone 1 plants, these can be added;

  • Carrots
  • Mustard greens
  • Onions
  • Parsnips
  • Swiss chard

Swiss Chard

The following herbs are cold hardy; Hyssop, Juniper and Turkestan Rose. Planting vegetables in zone 2 will still need to follow zone 1b for planting and use growing extensions and greenhouses. Starting seeds indoors will help extend this growing season 2.

Growing Zone 3

Growing in zone 3, is a little better but not much. Zone 3 is primarily in Alaska and the most northern states of the USA. Zone 3a -40 to -35 and Zone 3b -35 to -30. In addition to zone 1 and 2 vegetables, these can be added for zone 3;

  • Asparagus
  • Celery
  • Cucumbers
  • Summer squash
  • Winter squash

Asparagus

Root vegetables do very well in zone 3, like Beets, Kohlrabi and turnips. Also, carrots and rutabaga’s love the colder temperatures too. If started indoors, Brussels sprouts, Broccoli and cabbage do well in zone 3. In addition to the herbs from zone 2, these herbs in zone 3 can also be grown.

  • Caraway
  • Catnip
  • English chamomile
  • French sorrel
  • Garlic
  • Horseradish
  • Parsley
  • Peppermint

Most vegetables can be grown in all zones but the growing seasons are shorter. Growing fruit like sweet melons in the lower hardiness zones just don’t do well because the ground never gets warm enough. I did see a recommendation to place black painted rocks, to heat up with the sun and will help keep heat to the plants during the night.

Happy Planting!

As you can see there are some options to growing in these zone with primarily starting most plants indoors and using growing extensions, greenhouses and cold frames for gardening. The growing season is pretty short especially for anyone living in zone 1 for sure and zone 2. There is a little more flexibility growing in zone 3 but is still a challenge as the growing seasons are still much sorter then the rest of the USA.

Cold Frame Gardening

Is there anyone out there that lives in Zone 1 thru 3? If so, please leave a comment below and let us know how you garden there.

With the challenges of the growing seasons in zones 1 thru 3, there is an alternative to growing indoors.  If you are interested in a greenhouse solutions check out my Review – Backyard Greenhouse Kits – By Clicking This Link Now!

For an indoor options, check out my review for Indoor Grow Tent Kits – By Clicking this Link Now!.

I hope you found this informative! Please leave a comment below!

Let me know if there is any gardening tips you would like to learn about

Cheers!
Chris

Chris - Founder of Gardening Tips for Beginners

Alaska Hardiness Zones

 

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8 thoughts on “Vegetable Gardening in Freezing Climates – Zones 1 thru 3”

  1. Hello there! Oh wow, what a really informative article! I had no idea temperatures can even reach that low on earth! In addition, I had no idea that plants can be grown in those climates even if it’s summer or something over there. This article can really benefit those living in those areas if they happen to have a food crisis. Thanks for creating this post!

    Reply
    • Hi Mike,

      Yes it’s amazing that we have very cold climate zones.  They do have a very short growing season for outdoor garden so most would need to be done indoor or have a heated greenhouse.  There are options for these areas, just need to be creative.  Check back for more gardening tips

      Reply
  2. Hello, what detailed and expert information found throughout here! I am surprised by the different types of vegetables that is grown within the different zones and different temperatures. I sprout my own arugula seeds so intrigued to learn more of what else that you can grow. Also, it’s important to take into consideration of the month it is before you plant anything, thanks very much:)  

    Reply
  3. Great article. I had no idea you could grow so much in those cold climates. I have enough trouble, and I barely get a frost. I guess the trick is starting your seedling indoors and getting them established well before planting out and trying to avoid the frost.

    A greenhouse and heating, and you can grow anything almost, I guess. Maybe even some lighting, as I guess the daylight hours would be reduced as well.

    Reply
    • Hi Dave,

      Thank you for your comments.  Starting indoors is the key and I agree you probably need some LED lighting for the plants need at least 6+ hours of sunlight.  There are solar options to heating, running a fan and lights for a greenhouse.  Good addition to the post!

      Reply
  4. This is awesome. I don’t live in any of those zones I believe (Ohio hasn’t dropped to double digit negatives) and I can’t imagine what it would be like to live there. Even in only “mildly” cold temperatures below freeing in comparison, my ears hurt if it gets too cold and my skin dries to the point of cracking. Can’t imagine gardening on top of that. But I’m sure many people do. Actually, I recently saw an article that says there is a gene for increased cold tolerance in some people!

    Out of curiosity why is it that only some plants do better indoors/in a greenhouse?

    Reply
    • Hi Christina,

      The reason some plants do better indoors or in a greenhouse because of their sensitivity to cold and the root systems.  Cold hardy plants like cabbage, brussels sprouts, carrots etc… like the cold weather and brussels sprouts get harvested after the first frost.  You can grow in the cold with a cover to protect from the frost.  Carrots get sweeter grown in the colder soil.  Stop back for more gardening tips!  Share my website with anyone who needs some gardening tips  Thank you for your comments.

      Reply

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