Cold Season Cash: My 5 Most Profitable Winter Crops!

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Unlock the secrets to a thriving farm during winter months with our top 5 most profitable winter crops! From nutrient-rich greens to hardy root vegetables, these winter wonders will keep your business booming year-round. Discover the strategies to grow and sell these bountiful crops and take your farm's profitability to new heights!
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About Curtis Stone:
Curtis is one of the world’s most highly sought-after small farming educators. His book, The Urban Farmer, offers a new way to think about farming𑁋 one where quality of life and profitability coexist. Today, Curtis spends most of his time building his 40-acre off-grid homestead in British Columbia. He leverages his relationships with other experts to bring diverse content into the homes of gardeners and aspiring small farmers from around the world. Learn more at FromTheField.TV.
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[@YouCantEatTheGrass]

I love the Winterbore kale too. Mine will actually grow during warm spells in the winter, and once early spring hits you get a crazy flush of fresh growth before it goes to seed. I am excited to try spinach this year though.

[@ValentinaDimitrova-n5y]

When do you plant the kale so it big for the winter?

[@ptrain9020]

Hey Curtis. Can you do a video on how you store the crops you grow? For example; How do you keep leafy greens like kale, lettuce and micro greens fresh in the cooler for periods of time. Do you let them sit in totes of water to keep the greens firm and fresh, or do you just mist them every couple of days or so. How do you store carrots? Are they in bags in the cooler, or just sitting in a tote open, are they washed or left with the dirt on for longer storage. Thank you for all that you do.

[@Arz547]

Patrick Pittman just look at how a grocery store keeps stuff they know what they are doing

[@LILTRadio]

Fell out of gardening/Homesteading for a bit because of finances and travel. Getting back into it and of course had to initiate reopening that part of my mind with one of the "Urban Farmer's" videos. I used to live out in more of a country setting and now I am blessed with a rental in the city with some land and lax homestead laws. Super excited to get back on making content of our homesteading adventures and I appreciate you, Curits, for being one of my most inspirational teachers through the content you put out. Thank you for keeping on and doing what you do! Thrice.

[@BrimwoodFarm]

Thanks for posting this, Curtis. Been on my mind too so this is ideal timing. I really need to give microgreens a go this winter - perfect time as other stuff is quiet.

[@Jeffykins71]

You may be due for an update with JM Fortier..... You guys are awesome! I love to see the contrast in your operations.

[@offgridcurtisstone]

+Nature-Boy funny you say that. Taking the family to his place next week!

[@floozie5341]

Thank you. I watched your video on winter bed prep; just wondering if you can do a followup on watering fall/winter crops: when you stop watering, how you manage crop growth with freeze and thaw cycles, etc.

[@blufffalia]

Curtis, how about a video on bed/tunnel/greenhouse alignment. As in running them north-south vs. east-west. It seems you do both. You nor Elliot Coleman mention it in your books. JM breifly pg. 35. Long time subscriber! Love your videos! Need to donate!

[@offgridcurtisstone]

Yes. Coming soon...

[@lisac7020]

Thank you for the video. I have been growing pea shoots, but am getting low yields. I think I am using the wrong type of pea. What kind are you growing?

[@DARKLYLIT]

I'm wondering if you do Arugula microgreens at all? I started growing some about a week ago and they're pretty prolific and delicious. Have you found if there is any sort of demand for micro-Arugula during the winter? Thanks.

[@thomaskostka2083]

Love your videos. Have you ever considered Aquaponics as a small part of you crops especially for winter? Keep the videos coming as I'm learning a lot from you. Thanks

[@briangadbois3827]

I would love to know what kind of video camera you use and tools for editing these videos. Great job!

[@jeffersontbraga]

He did a video on this. It should be available/searched on his channel.

[@sonyagregory5711]

I love what you do. You truly inspire me. However, my biggest question is this. How and where do you get your soil amendments. Since you replant and turn over your crops very fast I'm trying to understand how you afford soil and compost to fill all of those little trays that grow your microgreens and other crops. I can see myself literally studying you and your methods from here forward. You are simply amazing. Your videos are simply the most interesting and easy to understand that I've seen to date. Thank You So Much. Journey On!

[@farmerjoe8169]

Love your videos. Searched but couldn't find a good video on your watering system. How much pressure do you need to run your individual systems? Are you running a booster pump? I have a we'll set at 60psi and I can only run 1 sprinkler head at a time. Which is why I'm curious about your system.. could you make a video showing your system?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

+Joe Heffelbower search "irrigation" in my videos.

[@ValentinaDimitrova-n5y]

Hi Curtis, in order to have a well established kale before the winter hits, when do you need to transplant it in the garden? Our farm is located in Bulgaria and the winter hits around Xmas/NYE. Thanks in advance. Im a HUGE fan and hope i can come to one of your workshops soon!

[@numbereight886]

Good if you could do an update on JM's 10 acre venture that you documented 18 months ago.

[@Tito_vibes]

How do you market your winter crops like spinach to restaurants? Same way as the other video? Make it about them and bring fresh abundant product?

[@Tadaushis]

Your nursery looks much better when you painted it all white! i liked it very much earlier, but now its top notch! :)

[@ryandavid1090]

Curtis, I'm sorry if this has been asked but do you have any wildlife issues where your plots are? I've seen you mention pests in your videos but never animals like rabbits, deer or groundhogs? Perhaps you're too urban for these issues? Where I will be farming I may have more pressure from these- thoughts? Sorry again if this has been asked, if there's a link please share.

[@snideremark]

Ryan David I can't remember if he's ever done a video about it but I feel like he mentioned once about a buck walking thru his plot. I'm pretty rural and the worst I've ever had is rabbits and skunks. And I have seen deer and bobcats and other stuff pretty close. Not sure why they don't bother me.

[@ryandavid1090]

I'm in PA now but moving to TN soon into a more semi-rural area. Here- I used a permaculture method to feed the surrounding wildlife and that worked well in my context- but I'm moving more toward Curtis' style of farming and thought these easy pickings would be a constant target? Perhaps not? I dont like to kill or relocate animals so I'm always wondering about how farmers prevent..Thank you for your reply!

[@MicroUrb]

This is super helpful, thanks Curtis. I don't know about Kelowna, but here in southern New Jersey summer has made a come back. Will be germinating more spinach today. I was wondering if radishes would make your list.

[@offgridcurtisstone]

+MicroUrb if you're expecting another 2 weeks of warm weather, you could do it.

[@MicroUrb]

Nice! Yeah, down here in South Jersey another two weeks of warm weather is not rare at all. In fact, from today until the end of September is going to be in the 70s and 80s, sorry between 21 and 30 degrees Celsius. Thanks Curtis.

[@dustantaylor8901]

Curtis, on your three kinds of microgreens is there a specific variety for each one? Specifically the sunflower shoots. What works the best for you? Thx Dustan

[@offgridcurtisstone]

There aren't, but that's a good idea for more crop focus videos.

[@dustantaylor8901]

That would be great. Thx. Or maybe just put them in your show notes. Thx for responding.

[@chriswhite3884]

Thanks Curtis, great stuff, started two 20' beds here in Taos, nm , putting to practice the work in your book and KZbins !

[@50shadesofgreen]

great advice and information on winter crops !! thanks for sharing

[@hanginhillbilly]

Will you be getting the Farmers Friend flame weeder in a few weeks and will you be doing a review video?

[@jameskenik5106]

Curtis as always great video! My question is about microgreen/sprout pricing/weight. I'm currently doing mung bean sprouts, sunflower shoots, pea shoots and a rainbow mix. Wholesaling to restaurants and grocery stores. I'd like some uniformity in size of bags and price, however some seeds are more expensive than others same as weights. I see most yours are all 4 oz bags? so at 3 $ a bag your getting 12$ a pound do you keep price same and change weights? Thanks so much!

[@waltlars3687]

How do you handle when Resterants order more than you avable like Your harvest is less than plained or some Resterants up they order Do you delevery less than all the resterants ordered to each restaurant or do cancel one Resterants order ?

[@maddog12374]

I'm in Colorado, what did it cost you to put up that greenhouse? Your a good farmer.. I would like to grow all 4 seasons. Thank you ..

[@pococurante9754]

Is an electric carving knife ok for harvesting microgreens? I saw a recent research video where they basically had the equivalent of a tilt saw to mass cut microgreens flats.

[@busyrand]

Outstanding content! Very thorough.

[@heftyhellion7155]

Hi Curtis, I recently came into some property, about 50 acres. It has about 3 mostly 'cleared' fields on it. I just got one of these field plots bush hogged. The soil is mostly clay based. I plan on tilling in some mulch throughout the whole field to get some more organic matter back into the soil. So my question is, is there anything else I need to do to clear it out of the excess stubble. Do I use tarps to kill off everything left?? Do I till it first?? Do I tarp, then mulch then till or...?? I'd just like some guidance on how to go from a bush hogged stubbly field, to a good fertile garden. Thankyou.

[@permie3535]

Buy a book. You need knowledge - maybe hire a consultant. It will save lots of time and money.

[@tomlatta4390]

I would recommend getting a cover crop on before winter ASAP. Come spring plow, till, plant oil seed radish; Dikon radish ; through the summer then a new cover crop through the winter 2018 choosing a seed mix depending on your latitude and crops intended to raise. Spring 2019 will be your first year growing crops using a no till practice after that.

[@christophermoll4992]

read his book and watch every video Curtis has.

[@trentonfree2694]

How big is the spot. When do you plan on using it? How adamant are you to growing? Is it a hobby, just a self garden or are you going hardcore in to market garden style farming. By mulch do you mean wood mulch as in wood chips? Does it snow where you are, or have long extended amounts of time where you have a hard freeze? Personally screw cover crops, it takes to much time and effort. Till the crap out of it once, and just the first time. Make all your rows and walk ways, add fert and 2-3 inches of compost to each bed never in walk ways. Tarp for what ever your winter may be, or grow during winter. I would advise sending you soil in to get tested, and that you get his book, or some books that are based around the market garden style of farming.

[@heftyhellion7155]

I am very adamant to do gardening for extra income. If not be my main source of income. I'd rather be doing yard work that I can mostly control than to have a job that I can lose on any number of random reasons or days. It usually doesn't get too cold here in South Carolina. Last couple of Christmases it got up to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. As for mulch, yes the wood chip variety of differing ages of decay. Some almost dirt consistency. I want personal use gardening, as well as some kind of cash crops for extra income. I'm just not sure how to go about it. Where would I send my soil to be tested?? What would I be testing for??

[@MdMasudRANA-sk5zx]

How much needs to make greenhouse of per sqft?

[@Shantased]

GREAT WORK FARMER 👨🏾‍🌾 MAN

[@alexiskujawa659]

Hi Curtis ! What about Brussels sprouts ? Do you have them in Canada ? [Ps: I've been following you almost from the beginning ! Your videos and your book rock ! I'm hopefully starting my farming enterprise this autumn following you advices and teachings. Keep up the good work ! Thanks a million for all the infos you share !] Alex from France

[@ryanwillett728]

Are you going to work on the Microgreens courseware over the winter?

[@hunterbryan2236]

How do you calculate how much to pay the landowners for water costs? And how did you approach them with this issue?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

Just subtract their previous bill from the current to find the difference.

[@kendavis6578]

As usual great vlog, thanks Curtis. So important to think 6-8 weeks ahead. Onions hmmmm. In USDA zone 4/5. Start in June? for cold weather by October?

[@rishi505]

Is any crop in winter in Vanvouver area ?

[@tonibartling3844]

Eliot Coleman talked about how much carrots etc sweetens up in the cold ground also - do you find that's true?

[@SoulOfPixels]

Toni Bartling everything Eliot Coleman says is true

[@tonibartling3844]

I know right? He's like the God of Gardening lol. I think I heard Curtis before talking about how he learned from him or maybe it was Jean-Martin Fortier. All three of these guys are like an amazing encyclopedia of info and they all keep learning more all the time. Gotta love the net :)

[@1kumokun]

For what it is worth, here in Japan it seems to be accepted gardening/farming wisdom that carrots sweeten up in early winter, especially after about 30cms or so of snow has covered them.

[@SD-co9xe]

Do you have any idea if Bcs is planning to develop an electric tractor?

[@deusvitae69]

yoooo I came from Justin Rhodes channel :) had no idea you were in BC though, I'm in vancouver :D im so jealous you got to meet him, I've been following his journey for like a year now cheers man, I'll be watching for your vids now too

[@greenwheelfarms2524]

Curtis you never talk about squirrels! do you have squirrels in Kelowna? & if so what do you do to keep them from digging & burying in your beds Thanks for the winter crops video, cheers

[@offgridcurtisstone]

They're not an issue out here like they are out east.

[@fireyoute]

Urban Farmer Curtis Stone x

[@fortitudefood3462]

Hey there, where do you get your plastic from? Also, do you have experience with Oregon Valley Greenhouses?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

CY Growers in Abbotsford.

[@fortitudefood3462]

Thanks, they could refer me to a local hort. supply here in Wa.!!:)

[@fredsnyder3063]

Thank you

[@kirkjohnson9353]

Do you have, or would you consider a movable green house like Eliot Coleman uses?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

I don't have big enough land to put tunnels on tracks, but caterpillar tunnels are essentially the same at a fraction of the cost.

[@kirkjohnson9353]

Thank you for the reply. I have a piece of land I was considering Colemans idea on. I may still consider it as a lifetime investment. Being able to simply slide the greenhouse over on rails saves a lot of labor over a period of years. I appreciate the videos you do and I just recently got your book.

[@boasa]

Why do you not plant potatoes? Aren't they quite resilient?

[@conradhomestead4518]

Very helpful. Thank you

[@loisdedopoulos7625]

Do you water veggies in winter. Greenhouse

[@offgridcurtisstone]

No

[@anamikasinghrajpoot.......3451]

Thanks

[@lauriehines8518]

I need advice growing carrots in zone 8a.

[@thisismagacountry1318]

Laurie Hines 1) Dig a hole 2) Insert carrot seed 3) Water frequently,... You're welcome

[@MrShadow7786]

Hey Curtis! Do you use the greens harvester to cut the micro greens?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

No.

[@dlvmark]

Awesome! Do you grow cantaloupe in the winter?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

No. Impossible.

[@dlvmark]

Im in Southern California and plan to grow cantaloupe with hydorponics. What nutrients should I use?

[@AllaroundNbackagain]

Hi Curtis. What's the average winter time temperature there?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

+AllaroundNbackagain not sure exactly. I'm sure it'd be easy to google it. But it hovers between -10 at night and 0 during the day for the coldest 3 months

[@CraigDanforth]

What about barley or wheat grasses?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

Not even close to my top, but I've grown them. They could be for you though.

[@Immune2BS]

Good info!

[@Klavier7]

Appreciate it 😀

[@76monikaW]

How do you deal with bugs? 🐜

[@offgridcurtisstone]

There are very few bugs in the winter.

[@IamSushiCat]

What is the best way to layout your beds for sun exposure North to South or East to West with or without greenhouse ?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

Depends on the site. There is no best way.

[@ricciricch2864]

If there are no crops grown in winter wonderland with is so short. Then we have no food!

[@stdkonsep3562]

Joss bro

[@calebproductions5970]

Video is too long it needs to be more basic

[@offgridcurtisstone]

Ok, I'll get that re-edited for you ASAP. Stand by...