Twice every year, spring and fall, our New England weather stretches the limits of cold tolerance on our plants. Or maybe I should say that we as humans, try to stretch the limits of our plants to make them fit the New England weather. Some plants are more cold tolerant than others. Some even prefer colder. Here is a general list to use as a starting point. The 'Not Cold Tolerant' group is best planted after the last spring frost, and protected if a fall frost is forecast. The plants on the 'Can Withstand Hard Frost' list can be planted earliest in the spring and will likely be the most tolerant of fall frosts.
This doesn't mean that those most tolerant plants will be unfazed by a fall frost however. In the spring when they have been experiencing cool temperatures on a regular basis, they are more acclimated to cold. Thus they are "ready for" it. But in the fall the cold is more like a sneak attack. The plants have been basking in the glory of warm sunny days, only to be hit with a Batman-like WHAM when they least expect it. So while spring and fall frosts will cause somewhat different reactions, these lists are a starting point.
This doesn't mean that those most tolerant plants will be unfazed by a fall frost however. In the spring when they have been experiencing cool temperatures on a regular basis, they are more acclimated to cold. Thus they are "ready for" it. But in the fall the cold is more like a sneak attack. The plants have been basking in the glory of warm sunny days, only to be hit with a Batman-like WHAM when they least expect it. So while spring and fall frosts will cause somewhat different reactions, these lists are a starting point.
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Can Withstand Hard Frost
Calendula Dianthus English Daisy Forget Me Not Pansy Snapdragon Stock Sweet Alyssum Sweet Pea Viola Wallflower Arugula Beets Broccoli Brussels Sprouts Cabbage Carrots Cauliflower Chives Collards Endive Escarole Garlic Kale Kohlrabi Leeks Lettuce Onions Parsley Peas Potatoes Radish Radishes Sage Sorrel Spinach Turnips |
Survives Light Frost
Artichokes Bok Choy Broccoli Can Withstand Light Frost: Cauliflower Cauliflower Celery Chinese Cabbage Cilantro Kholrabi Lemon Balm Lettuce Mint Mustard Greens Oregano Peas Quinoa Radicchio Rosemary Spinach Swiss Chard Thyme |
Not Cold Tolerant
Bachelor’s Button Black Eyed Susan Larkspur Marigold Sunflower Sweet Pea Amaranth Basil Beans Bush Beans Chamomile, Corn Cucumbers Dill Eggplant Hot And Sweet Peppers Marjoram Melons New Zealand Spinach Okra Peppers Pumpkins Quinoa Runner Beans Squash Stevia Tomatillo Tomatoes Watermelon |