A winter garden can the perfect holiday escape. The holiday season is one of the most stressful times of the year; having to deal with tangled strands of Christmas lights, a tree that will not stand up and the light-up nativity scene that will not light. With all the stress, you may not have a good stress reliever. What about planting a winter garden? It’s great for stress relief and it brings some life to your yard. Here are 5 winter plants that will help plow your stress away. 

1. Blueberries – Though blueberries are perennial, if planted now, will give you blueberries every year during the late winter, early spring. They are easy to take care of and cold tolerant. Use blueberries for jam, desserts, pancake and waffle toppings, and so much more. 
2. Winter Lettuce – What is better to plant for winter than some winter lettuce? This plant loves the cold and looks great in a garden or in flower pots on your front porch. Just use the lettuce to make a healthy salad so you don’t feel bad about eating all that Holiday food. If you are not interested in staying healthy, slap some of that lettuce on a double cheese burger with extra mayo. 

1. Carrots – Chop up these cold weather vegetables and toss it that healthy salad for a nice crunch. Carrots are great to start indoors during winter. Once large enough, transplant them outdoors so no one with a bottle of ranch dressing finds them. 

1. Greens (mustard greens, collard greens, turnip greens) – You need to act quickly and plant some greens! These bitter tasting, leafy plants love cold weather and if planted now, should be ready to pick for a New Year’s Dinner of pork chops, black eye peas, greens, and corn bread. If you need help getting your kids to behave this holiday season, just make them eat their greens before opening presents.  
2. Herbs – Basil, oregano, thyme and parsley are easy to grow indoors if you don’t want to deal with the cold. Just plant in container near a window for some light and watch it grow. Herbs are great to use in the kitchen to add a fresh kick of flavors to any of your dishes. 

So, give yourself something to do this holiday season rather than stress over holiday meals, ugly sweater parties, and crazy family members. Place some seeds into some dirt and cozy up in your favorite fur boots and garden gloves. Happy Gardening!