Feeling all doom and gloom now that winter has hit? Wondering if it’s even worth trying to grow something this season? It might surprise you to know that cold weather can actually be the perfect time for growing winter vegetables – you just need some tips of the trade.

We’ve created a short guide of vegetables to grow in winter that not only burst with nutrition and flavor but are highly nourishing for your skin. While we might dread the thought of gardening during a cold snap, winter vegetables aren’t as high maintenance as you think. By embracing the seasonal change and using it to your advantage, the rewards will be worth the challenge.

So, as we enter the tougher winter months, we encourage you to roll up your sleeves, slip on your gardening gloves and check out our top tips for what to grow in winter.

1. Organic Kale

We’re always being told to “eat our greens” so  wouldn’t it be great to grow a serving straight from your garden? Naty King, one of our Eminence Kids Foundation partners at Hazelmere Organic Farm says, “Kale, spinach and broccoli are cool-season crops and with extra care, protection and the right location in your garden, they can do well in the fall and mild winter conditions.” For weather protection, Naty recommends “choosing varieties suitable for fall and winter harvest” and planting in hoop houses for protection. Kale and spinach thrive in winter temperatures and actually become sweeter after a frost.

Grower’s Tip: Leafy greens need moist, nutritious soil in order to flourish, so be sure to fertilize your soil.  You can use compost, manure and a dash of liquid fertilizer for good measure.

Skin Care Tip: We love the immune-boosting and anti-aging benefits of kale so much, we’ve included a powerful dose in our very own Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Serum.

2. Organic Broccoli

Brassicas like broccoli and brussels sprouts make a great pairing for growing as they usually require the same soil and water conditions. This makes your gardening life easier through winter, with a delicious pay off in the end. Naty says, “Broccoli will grow slowly through a mild winter and be ready for harvest in spring.”

Grower’s Tip: Beware of pests. Cabbage worms love to get into brassicas, but you can fend off these nasties with floating row covers.

Skin Care Tip: It’s also no secret our skin needs extra TLC during winter, making green veggies an absolute must. Packed full of Vitamin C, Vitamin K and bursting with antioxidants that help with the appearance of aging, consider soothing your skin with our broccoli sprout-powered Citrus and Kale Potent C+E Masque. Broccoli is also a key ingredient in our Detoxifying Microgreens Complex found in products like our Stone Crop Cleansing Oil.

3. Organic Carrots

Carrots are one of the most versatile and nutritious of the root vegetable bunch, and they’re also one of the easiest winter vegetables to grow. They will need some protection so be sure to plant in raised beds or containers, and if freezing temperatures are a threat, grow them under plastic tunnels.

Grower’s Tip: For best results, aim to sow carrots in the late summer. This gives them time to mature into late fall and then leave them in the ground for steady harvests throughout winter.

Skin Care Tip: Easy-to-grow carrots are also a natural addition to skin care. They’re rich in Vitamin A, which helps repair and support our skin. And when added into our Apricot Whip Moisturizer, carrots and apricots make a rejuvenating match made in skin care heaven.

What’s your favorite winter vegetable? Let us know in the comments!