5 Crops You Can’t Leave Underground Over Winter
Leaving certain fall crops in the ground over winter can lead to a huge mess come spring. While some root vegetables store well in cold soil, others don't hold up and can cause destructive problems in your garden beds. Whether it’s due to rot, pests, or poor regrowth, knowing what to pull before the freeze can save you a lot of work later. These five crops are better off harvested before winter settles in.
Onions
Mature onions left in the soil over winter will often rot or sprout early next spring. Once the tops fall over and dry out, they've finished growing, and it's time to pull em up. Leaving them underground through winter risks losing the whole crop. Pull them up, cure them in a well-ventilated area, and store them properly. Trying to overwinter them in-ground just isn’t worth the risk, especially in wet or frozen soil.
Potatoes
Potatoes left in cold, wet soil are prone to rot. Even if they look fine on the surface, freezing temperatures will damage their texture and flavor in a major way. Leaving them in the dirt might also lead to them sprouting very early in spring and crowding your garden. It's best to dig them up once the foliage dies back and cure them indoors. Leaving them underground too long can also attract rodents or just make your harvest unusable.
Sweet Potatoes
Unlike regular potatoes, sweet potatoes are even more sensitive to cold. Their tropical origin means they won't tolerate even a light frost. If left in the soil, their quality drops fast, the flesh turning to mush and losing its taste. Make sure to dig them up before temperatures drop below 50°F. Cure them properly for storage, and they’ll last months in a cool, dry place.
Beets
Beets can handle some chill, but once the ground fully freezes, they become tough and woody. Moisture from winter weather can also cause them to split or rot, infecting your soil. They also simply don't store well outdoors for long periods. If you're not harvesting to eat right away, pull them up and store them in damp sand or sawdust in a cool location. That way, they stay firm and flavorful.
Garlic (Spring-Planted)
Not all garlic is planted in fall. If you planted yours in spring and didn't harvest, it won’t survive a freeze. Spring-planted garlic doesn’t develop the cold resistance of fall-planted varieties. Left in frozen soil, the bulbs can weaken and rot. If your garlic is still in the ground come fall, dig it up and use it or replant a few healthy cloves right away.
Knowing what crops can't handle a winter underground is key to protecting your garden’s health and your own hard work. Rotting roots and veggies don’t just waste food, they invite disease and pests into your soil. Take time before the first frost to check your beds, pull what needs pulling, and store things correctly. Your spring garden will thank you.