How to Overwinter Vegetables: A Guide to Growing Perennial Peppers, Eggplants, Okra, Kale, and Tomatoes

In this blog post we go over five vegetables that you can grow in summer and then overwinter to grow next summer. These five vegetables are peppers, eggplants, okra, kale, and tomatoes. These are considered annuals in many parts of the world because it gets really cold in winter and we get frost, and these die off. However, these are actually perennial vegetable plants that will keep growing year after year if they are kept in a tropical region or a tropical climate.

Now, before we begin, I must mention that this only works on vegetable plants that are perennial by nature. It won't work on vegetable plants that have a very short lifespan and are actually grown as annuals such as corn, squash, and cucumbers. So, it only works on these vegetables that I'm mentioning that can actually have a longer lifespan if you meet the conditions to keep them warm and actually provide them with all the resources to have them survive over winter.

Peppers: Peppers stop growing when temperature dips below 45 degree Fahrenheit. So, as soon as the nighttime temperature dips below 45, you must protect your pepper plants. If you live in a warmer climate like zone 10 and above, you can protect your pepper plants in place by actually putting greenhouse fabric on top of them or using greenhouse plastic. If you live in zone 9 and below, you must take the plant out and bring it inside.

To overwinter your pepper plant, first, harvest all the peppers from it. Then, prune the plant by removing all the suckers, lower stems, and dead wood. Reduce the size of the plant for easy storage and for it to boost growing next year. Then, dig the plant and repot it in a bigger pot. Don't add any fertilizer to this because you don't want to provide more fertilizer to this plant over winter. We just want it to survive over winter so that it can grow next spring.

Eggplants: Eggplants won't do well if temperature goes below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. So, you need to get them inside if you want to make them survive. Unlike peppers, you don't have to get rid of all the flowers or the eggplants or all the foliage. You can just dig it up, repot it in a pot, and bring it inside.

Okra: Okra is a warm-season vegetable, but it's also a perennial plant. It will keep producing if it's kept in a warm climate or indoors. If you live in a tropical region or a tropical climate, you can leave it outside, and it will keep growing year after year.

Kale: Kale is a biennial plant, which means it can live for two years. It will keep growing and producing leaves in the first year, and in the second year, it will produce flowers and seeds. You can overwinter kale by keeping it in a container and bringing it inside.

Tomatoes: Tomatoes are a bit trickier to overwinter because they are more susceptible to disease and pests. If you want to overwinter your tomato plants, you need to take cuttings from them and root them in water. Once the cuttings have rooted, you can pot them up and bring them inside.

In conclusion, overwintering vegetables is a great way to get a head start on your garden for next year. If you live in a climate with mild winters, you can leave these plants outside. But if you live in a colder climate, you need to take steps to protect them from the cold. Overall, overwintering plants is a great way to save money, reduce waste, and ensure a healthy and productive garden in the following year. By taking the time to properly care for and prepare your plants for winter, you can reap the benefits of fresh produce year-round. Remember to choose plants that are suitable for your local climate, provide adequate sunlight, and protect them from harsh weather conditions. With a little bit of effort and planning, you can successfully overwinter your plants and enjoy a bountiful harvest season after season.