Sasha CampbellMany gardeners find that fall is one of the best times to grow vegetables. Cooler temperatures can help leafy greens and root crops grow well. Some vegetables even taste sweeter after cold weather arrives.
The crops below can be harvested in fall, planted in fall, or left in the garden for an early winter harvest. Some fast-growing vegetables can be planted in late summer.
Slow-growing crops, such as leeks, celery, and parsnips, must be started much earlier. Garlic is planted in fall but harvested the following year.
Planting dates vary depending on where you live. Find your average first frost date and check the days to maturity on the seed packet.
Fall vegetables often grow more slowly as the days become shorter, so give them extra time when possible.
Best Fall Vegetables to Grow
1. Kale
Kale is a hardy leafy green that grows well in cool weather. Its leaves may taste sweeter after exposure to frost [1].
Depending on the variety, kale may be ready in about 40 to 75 days. Check the seed packet to learn when to expect a harvest.
Start kale in midsummer or late summer for a fall harvest. You can also plant kale in the fall for a winter harvest in mild climates.
2. Carrots
Carrots are excellent vegetables for a fall garden. Cool weather can make mature roots taste sweeter.
Sow the seeds about 10 to 12 weeks before your average first frost. Carrots can be slow to sprout, so keep the soil moist while you wait.
Mature carrots can handle frost. You can also cover the soil with mulch and leave some roots in the ground until you are ready to use them.
3. Spinach
Spinach loves cool weather. It can survive light frost, and some hardy varieties can live through winter when given protection [2].
Spinach also grows quickly. You can begin picking young leaves within a few weeks. Sow seeds in late summer or early fall, depending on your climate.
4. Beets
Beets grow well in cool fall weather. Their roots have a sweet, earthy flavor and can be roasted, boiled, or added to salads.
Both the roots and leaves are edible. Sow fast-growing varieties about 8 to 10 weeks before your first frost. Give slower varieties more time to mature.
5. Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is an easy-to-grow leafy vegetable. Its colorful stems can make a fall garden look bright and cheerful.
Mature plants can usually handle light frost. Sow seeds about 8 to 10 weeks before the first frost, or plant young seedlings later in the season.
You can pick the larger outside leaves while allowing the smaller center leaves to continue growing.
6. Radishes
Radishes are among the fastest fall vegetables to grow. Some varieties are ready in about four weeks.
They usually form better roots in cool weather than in summer heat. Sow small amounts every week or two for a longer harvest. Stop planting when there isn’t enough time for the roots to mature before the ground freezes.
Harvest radishes before they become large, tough, or hollow.
7. Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts take a long time to grow, but their flavor often improves after cold weather arrives.
Most varieties need about 90 to 100 days, and some need even longer [3]. Start seeds in late spring or early summer, or set out young plants during summer.
Choose a variety that has enough time to mature before severe winter weather arrives.
8. Cabbage
Cabbage is a cold-hardy vegetable that stores well after harvest. You can use it in salads, soups, stews, stir-fries, and fermented foods.
Mature cabbage can handle frost. Some hardy varieties can survive temperatures near 20°F (-7°C), although young plants and less hardy types may need protection.
Plant cabbage varieties that are recommended for fall growing in your area.
9. Turnips
Turnips thrive in cool weather. Both their roots and leafy tops are edible, giving you two foods from one plant.
Sow turnip seeds about 6 to 10 weeks before your first fall frost [4]. You can harvest small roots early or allow them to grow larger.
10. Broccoli
Broccoli produces its best heads during cool weather. Hot weather can cause the heads to develop poorly or open too quickly.
Start broccoli seeds in midsummer. Transplant the seedlings when they are about four to six weeks old.
Fall varieties may need about 60 to 85 days to mature [5]. Check your seed packet and plant early enough for heads to form before severe cold arrives.
11. Cauliflower
Cauliflower is another cool-season crop that can grow well in fall. However, it is more sensitive to heat and sudden temperature changes than many other cabbage-family crops.
Start cauliflower seeds about 12 to 16 weeks before your first frost. Choose a variety recommended for fall growing.
Keep the soil evenly moist and harvest the heads before a hard freeze.
12. Leeks
Leeks are long-season vegetables that are usually grown from seed each year. They are members of the onion family and have a mild onion-like flavor.
Most leeks need about 120 to 150 days to mature. Some faster varieties may be ready in about 90 days [6].
Start the seeds in late winter or spring for a fall or winter harvest. Mature leeks can handle frost and may remain in the garden during cold weather.
13. Collard Greens
Collard greens are among the most cold-tolerant leafy vegetables. Their flavor may become milder and sweeter after frost.
Plant them in midsummer or late summer for fall and winter harvests. Many varieties can survive winter in mild areas.
Pick the lower outside leaves first. The center of the plant can continue producing new leaves.
14. Mustard Greens
Mustard greens grow quickly and have a peppery flavor. Cool weather can make their flavor milder.
Plant mustard green seeds about 6 to 8 weeks before the first frost.
You can harvest young leaves or pick the larger outside leaves. Leave the center of the plant in place so it can continue growing.
15. Green Onions
Green onions, also called scallions, can be planted in late summer for a fall harvest. They do not take as long to grow as large bulb onions.
Established plants can usually handle light frost. Some hardy varieties can survive colder weather when protected with mulch or a row cover.
You can harvest green onions when the stems reach a useful size.
16. Garlic
Garlic is planted in fall, but it is not normally harvested during the same fall. The cloves grow roots before winter and begin growing again in spring.
Plant garlic cloves about four to six weeks before the ground normally freezes. This gives them time to develop roots without producing too much top growth.
Garlic usually becomes ready for harvest in late spring or summer of the following year.
17. Radicchio
Radicchio is a type of chicory. It has crisp leaves and a slightly bitter flavor.
Start radicchio seeds in midsummer for a fall harvest. Some varieties form round heads, while others grow in a longer shape.
Radicchio grows best in cool weather. Its ability to survive freezing temperatures depends on the variety.
18. Fennel
Florence fennel, also called bulb fennel, forms a crisp base with a mild licorice-like flavor. It is different from herb fennel, which is mainly grown for its leaves and seeds.
Sow fennel seeds in midsummer or late summer for a fall crop. Choose a bulb-forming Florence fennel variety.
Florence fennel usually takes about 60 to 90 days to mature [7]. Choose a fast-growing variety if your fall season is short.
Keep the soil evenly moist so the base grows large and tender. Hot or dry conditions can cause the plant to form flowers before it produces a good bulb.
19. Bok Choy
Bok choy, also called pak choi, is a type of Chinese cabbage. It grows quickly and prefers cool weather.
Plant the seeds in midsummer or late summer, depending on your climate.
Harvest bok choy as tender baby leaves or let it form a full head. Pick it before very cold weather arrives. In cold regions, a late July planting may be ready before the first hard freeze [8].
20. Peas
Peas can produce a fall crop in places with a long, mild autumn. Choose a fast-growing variety and sow the seeds about 10 to 12 weeks before your first frost.
Fall peas can be less dependable than spring peas. Hot soil may slow seed germination, while an early freeze may stop the plants from producing pods.
Keep the soil moist while the seeds sprout. A little afternoon shade may also help when the weather is still hot.
21. Rutabagas
Rutabagas are related to turnips and grow well in cool autumn weather. They usually take longer to mature than turnips.
Sow rutabaga seeds about 10 to 12 weeks before your first frost.
Cold weather can improve their flavor. Mature roots can remain in the ground until the soil begins to freeze.
22. Celery
Celery grows best in cool weather and produces crisp, flavorful stalks. However, it grows slowly and may need four months or longer to mature.
Start seeds indoors in late winter or spring. You can also buy healthy young plants, but plant them early enough to mature before a hard frost. Cover the plants if a light frost is expected.
Celery needs steady moisture. Dry soil may make the stalks tough or bitter.
23. Parsnips
Parsnips are root vegetables that often taste sweeter after cold weather.
They need a long growing season, so sow the seeds in spring for a fall or winter harvest. The seeds can also be slow to sprout.
Mature roots can remain in the garden under a layer of mulch as long as the soil does not freeze too hard to dig.
24. Endive
Endive is a cool-season leafy vegetable. Its leaves have a slightly bitter flavor and can be added to salads or cooked lightly.
Plant endive in late summer for a fall harvest. Keep the soil moist to help the leaves stay tender.
Harvest the whole head or pick some of the larger outside leaves as needed.
25. Kohlrabi
Kohlrabi is an unusual-looking vegetable in the cabbage family [9]. It forms a round, swollen stem just above the soil.
Sow kohlrabi seeds in midsummer or late summer for a fall harvest.
Harvest most varieties while the swollen stems are still young and tender. Older stems may become tough and woody.
See also: Spring vegetables and fruits to grow.
Protecting Fall Vegetables
Cold-hardy vegetables can survive some frost, but freezing temperatures still slow their growth. Young plants may also suffer more damage than mature plants.
Row covers, cold frames, tunnels, and mulch can help extend the growing season [10].
Lightweight floating row covers can rest directly on many low-growing crops. Use hoops over tall or delicate plants. Secure the edges with soil, pins, or heavy objects so the wind cannot lift the cover.
Row covers help protect the leaves from cold air. Mulch helps protect the roots and keeps the soil warmer.
Takeaway
Fall is a wonderful season for growing leafy greens, root vegetables, and cabbage-family crops.
Radishes, spinach, mustard greens, and bok choy can grow quickly. Brussels sprouts, leeks, celery, and parsnips need a much longer head start.
Garlic is another useful fall crop, but it will not be ready until the following year.
Check your first frost date, read the seed packet, and choose varieties that have enough time to mature. With good planning and a little cold protection, your garden can continue producing food well into fall and even winter.
Add comment