Are you starting to crave those fresh, local fruits and vegetables of the summer season? Fear not, cold weather crops in New Hampshire are already on their way! Cold weather crops are plants and vegetables that can be planted before the last frost, usually in March, April and May.
After a long winter of snowy days filled with comfort foods it’s time to put a little spring into our cooking. Certain vegetables can grow in the chilly months of a NH spring and might already be available from a local green house.
Healthy Choices
We’ve all heard people say “eat your leafy greens”. Most of the vegetables on the list are green! So what’s all the fuss about?
Green vegetables have important minerals, vitamins, and fibers. Minerals found in high amounts in the green, leafy vegetables are magnesium for bone health. They also have potassium for your muscles and maintaining normal blood pressure. Vitamins are also found in the green, leafy vegetables. Vitamin A is good for eye health. Vitamin C and E help your immune system stay strong. Vitamin K is good for bone and heart health. Folate helps with nerve health and preventing anemia. Fiber is important to both digestion and heart health! The recommendations for daily fiber are: 21 grams for women and 30 grams for men over 50 years old.
Try adding these nutritious foods to your salad, omelet, sandwich, soup, or just as part of your meal.
These cold weather crops can grow early in the spring and in greenhouses.
Cold weather crops available early in the season:
- Asparagus
- Beet greens
- Fiddleheads
- Kale
- Lettuce
- Radishes
- Scallions/green onions
- Spinach
- Swiss chard
Find A Market
Where can we find these delicious foods locally here in NH? There are many farmers’ markets in NH that are open in the winter or year round.
Check out this list of farmers markets in the state published by Department of Agriculture (603-271-3551).
