What to Plant in a Fall Garden
Growing a garden into the fall is an excellent way to keep fresh vegetables on the table throughout the cooler weather. Some of the plants you can grow during this season are even hardy enough to last through the winter with the right amount of protection.
When deciding what to plant for your fall crops, you need to know when your first frost is going to be so that you can plan what you have time to grow. The best fall crops are cool-weather hardy plants that can handle the chilly air that comes with the fall season.
If you want to know what the best fall crops are and information on the crops that go in a fall garden, you should read on. We are also going to discuss several tips for fall gardening to make your experience run smoother.
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What is the Best Crop to Grow in the Fall?
Several crops are considered to be the best crops to grow in the fall. Growing these vegetables will make your garden very productive:
Kale
Arugula
Kohlrabi
Spinach
Mustard greens
Parsley
Collard greens
Peas
Bunching onions
Rutabaga
Cabbage
Brussels sprouts
Bok choy
Carrots
Cauliflower
Broccoli
Winter radishes
Turnips
Want to learn more? Here’s a video with more details:
What Vegetables Are in a Fall Garden?
When it comes to vegetables that are in a fall garden, the choices are almost endless. For amazing quality and fresh flavor, you’ll want to try some of these vegetable options.
Brassicas
Mustard greens are similar in nutritional value to their relatives, collards and kale, but offer a decidedly spicier kick when it comes to flavor. You can direct sow these seeds starting in mid-summer and plant them in succession every few weeks.
Brussels sprouts are going to be the hardiest plants in your garden, but they will take quite a while to grow. The taste really comes out when several touches of frosts have hit your plants. You’ll want to ensure that you stake these plants as they're great for adding vertical interest.
Cabbage plants will grow in warmer temperatures but require cooler temperatures to form a head. They have a long growth period of 90 - 120 days. By adding a layer of protection, you’ll be able to continue to harvest these plants well into winter.
Chinese cabbage is the Asian cousin of our cabbage plant. Roughly eight weeks before the first frost, direct sow the seeds in your garden. Seedlings are also commonly available at garden centers.
Broccoli is best to be direct sowed from late summer to early September. You can stagger your sowings out over several weeks to spread out when your harvests will be available. By cutting the main head from the plant, you may get smaller heads to grow back in their place.
Cauliflower is a lot like broccoli and cabbage but can be a bit more challenging. For this plant, look for seedlings and transplant them in the late summer or early fall. Make sure you leave enough space for this plant to grow so that you can enjoy it at its peak flavor.
Kohlrabi is related to cabbage and broccoli and is a fast-growing plant. This plant is hardy in winter and can be stored in the ground until you are ready to harvest it. For extra protection in the winter, add a layer of straw to keep out the cold.
Kale is a versatile plant whose seeds will germinate in both warm and cool soil. Growing in the fall will deepen the flavor, making it sweeter. For a fall harvest, start your seeds in mid-to-late summer or transplant seedlings in late summer.
Beans and Peas
Bush beans don’t require any support to stay upright and come in three types – snap beans, green shelling beans, and dry beans. For a continuous harvest, plant seeds once every two weeks. Expect germination to occur in one to two weeks.
Peas can be planted in mid to late August. You’ll get quicker results in warmer weather but have to provide a little protection from the sun and extra water. They do best in full sun or partial shade with loamy, well-draining soil.
Winter Radishes and Other Root Crops
Winter radishes, unlike traditional radishes, will last in the garden well after the first frost and can grow to be several pounds. Plant them in mid-summer and add a layer of mulch to keep them cool and prevent the growth of weeds.
Green onions are sown in mid-summer for an autumn harvest. They thrive in full sun and are grown for their flavorful stems instead of the bulbs like most onions.
Beets need to be planted 10 to 12 weeks before the first frost for a fall harvest. Seeds only take around 5 days to germinate, but you can look for seedlings to speed the process along. Make sure you harvest before they grow too large for the best possible flavor.
Carrot seeds will germinate in roughly 7 days but will grow very slowly. For a fall harvest, you should plant your seeds no later than 10 weeks before the first harvest. You’ll need to sow evenly but also expect to have to come back to thin out the plants.
Turnips being root vegetables require a long growing season. You’ll get the best growth results and most robust flavor if you grow them in the fall. They don’t improve with time left in the soil so use succession planting to continually harvest.
Rutabagas are the larger, sweeter cousins of turnips. The roots mature around 90 days of growth and have a sweeter taste when hit with a first or second frost. You can harvest the leaves earlier to add to salads, steam them, or boil them.
Leafy Greens
If you already have Swiss chard in your garden and have been harvesting it regularly, you don’t even have to do anything to keep it going for the fall. While they may have slowed down a little with the heat, their growth will pick back up with the cool fall weather.
Spinach seeds need to be sown in early fall. Seeds will germinate in just 3 - 5 days and will grow magnificently throughout the fall. Harvest the plants from the outside to allow them to continue growing from the inside. Provide winter protection with a layer of straw.
Lettuce can be planted from mid-August through the fall with succession planting. Because of the plant’s shallow roots, it will need some protection from the frost. The chillier air of the fall will produce a sweeter, crisper taste.
Arugula is grown like lettuce. Its seeds will germinate in 5 - 7 days even if the soil is cold. It offers a spicy flavor and a beautiful ornamental look in your garden.
Garlic
Garlic can be sown directly into the soil about two inches deep in the mid-fall. You won’t be able to enjoy it this season, but it will be ready next summer.
Parsley
Parsley is one of the hardiest herbs, being able to survive temperatures as low as 10℉. You’ll need to plant this herb at least 10 weeks before the first frost. Additionally, it’s best to start it indoors, soaking the seeds overnight to aid germination.
When Should I Start My Fall Garden?
To ensure you have a fully mature garden before the first frost hits your area, you need to plant your crops in mid-summer. This will be typically around late July or early August and will depend on your hardiness zone.
Many plants will do well in the cooler weather but will require a start when the weather is warmer and the days are longer.
You can either start from seeds in pots or opt for seedlings from your local garden center.
Fall Gardening Tips
If you want to grow the best fall crops possible, you need to make sure to follow some pretty simple tips. By making sure not to skip these straightforward suggestions, you’ll have excellent, crisp, and fresh vegetables to enjoy.
Pull Up Dead Plants
You’ll want to pull up your dead plants from your summer garden before it gets too cold. The best practice is to remove plants as soon as they die. Fungal diseases and several pests can overwinter in your garden within the dead leaves and stems.
Only compost healthy plants, especially tomatoes known for being prone to a fungal disease that can spread to your compost.
Till the Soil
If you’re looking for a quick way to get your soil ready for a new garden bed, tilling is the way to go. It will break up clumps in compacted soil, break up roots, and kill some weeds.
Bear in mind this is only a temporary weed fix as it will stimulate weed growth. You will need a plan for weed elimination.
Fall tilling can also reveal the pupae of caterpillars and beetles, which you should remove as you see them. Tilling can also be used to integrate compost, leaf matter, or manure into the soil.
Spread Cover Crops
Cover crops add nutrients and organic material to the soil while protecting it from drying out and suppressing weed growth. The key is to plant them thick and cut them back before they flower. Once they flower, they begin to use the nutrients they added to the soil.
Extend the Growing Season with Row Covers
You need to have a plan in place if the first frost comes sooner than expected. This can be as simple as a cloth or plastic cover placed over the plants at night, aka a row cover.
You can also create a tunnel constructed out of plastic sheeting and hoops that you can leave in place during the day and the night. The temperature inside the tunnels will have to be monitored to ensure the plants do not get too hot.
Start Planting Early
Many people make the mistake of starting their crops too late in the summer season. The result is that they don’t grow in time to make it through the first frost and the crop is a loss. If you’ve got any questions about when to plant your crops, go ahead and do it early.
Know How Long Your Crops Will Grow
Every crop has its own predictable lifespan which is indicated on its seed packet. Using this information you can estimate how long it will take for your crops to reach maturity and a harvestable size. You’ll need to plant so that this timeframe will end before the first frost.
Harvest Summer Crops Quickly
If you have a small garden and rely on early crops to be gone to plant your fall crops, don’t wait to harvest your spring and summer crops. You need to be on your A-game to ensure that you plant your fall crops on time. Clearing out these crops will make room for your fall crops.
Understand that Crops Last Longer in the Fall
In the fall, your vegetable garden becomes a giant refrigerator. Once your crops mature, the cool weather allows them to hold longer. Some of these crops can live for months once they reach maturity because of these cooler temperatures.
With proper planning, you’ll be able to harvest all through the cold season until spring.
Final Thoughts
Planting fall crops takes some planning. You need to know when your first frost is anticipated so that you can plant your crops early enough to harvest before it hits. You also need to have a backup plan in case it comes early.
With all the options for excellent crops to grow for the fall season, you’ll have to narrow it down so that they will fit in your garden. Weigh the options to see which ones best fit your planting schedule and garden needs.
Make sure you prepare your garden by pulling up your summer crops promptly and plant your fall crops early enough in relation to the first harvest. Make sure you have a plan for your fall crops because they will last longer due to the colder weather preserving them.
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