Sasha CampbellMany gardeners find fall is one of the best times to grow crops. The cooler temperatures and shorter days are ideal for growing and harvesting vegetables.
If you want to start a new garden or expand on the one you already have, here is a list of 25 vegetables you can plant and/or harvest in the fall.
1. Kale
Kale is a hardy green that tastes sweeter after a light frost [1].
From seedlings, kale takes 55 to 75 days to mature for you to enjoy. Therefore, you can start planting in late summer for a fall kale harvest.
You can also plant kale in the fall for a winter harvest.
2. Carrots
Carrots are perfect for fall planting because they develop a better flavor in cooler weather.
Sow the seeds 10 to 12 weeks before the first frost to ensure a healthy crop.
3. Spinach
Spinach loves cool weather. It can also tolerate heavy frost [2].
It’s a fast-growing vegetable, so you can enjoy its fresh, tender leaves within a few weeks of planting.
4. Beets
Beets grow well in the fall, producing earthy, sweet roots that can be roasted or used in salads.
Beets are versatile garden additions because their greens and roots are edible. You can start planting your beet seeds from late September to mid-October.
5. Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is also a cool-season vegetable that’s easy to grow and perfect for your fall garden.
Its colorful stems brighten any garden, and it can withstand light frost.
6. Radishes
Radish grows quickly and can be harvested in as little as four weeks. They grow best in cooler conditions.
7. Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts take longer to mature, but their flavor improves with cold weather.
Plant them in mid-to-late summer for harvest in late fall or just in time for winter.
8. Cabbage
Cabbage is a cold-hardy vegetable that can withstand heavy frost. It’s an excellent fall crop that stores well and can be used in various dishes.
Certain varieties also thrive well during winter.
9. Turnips
Turnips are versatile root veggies that thrive in cool weather. Their roots and greens are edible, offering double the harvest from one plant.
You can start planting turnips in early August for a fall harvest [3].
10. Broccoli
Broccoli loves cooler temperatures and can produce high yields in the fall. It requires a little more space, but the fresh heads are well worth the effort.
To enjoy broccoli in the fall, start your seeds in the summer when the heat is less intense.
11. Cauliflower
Cauliflower is another cool-weather crop that grows well in the fall. It requires a bit more attention but thrives in the lower temperatures of autumn.
Experts recommend planting the seeds 12 to 16 weeks before the first frost.
12. Leeks
Leeks are part of the onion family and are perfect for fall gardens. When mature, they can also withstand frost and cold weather.
Plant them in late summer for a fall harvest.
13. Collard Greens
Collard greens are very frost-tolerant, and their flavor improves as the temperature drops.
They can survive in winter below-freezing temperatures. Plant them in late summer for fall and winter harvests.
14. Mustard Greens
Mustard greens grow fast and can be harvested multiple times throughout the fall. Plant the seeds 6 to 8 weeks before the first frost for an early harvest.
15. Onions
Onion is a great vegetable to plant in August or September for a fall harvest.
They’re easy to grow and can withstand frosts and moderate freezes during their growth cycle.
16. Garlic
Garlic is a great vegetable to plant in the fall for the spring or early summer harvest.
From seed to harvest, garlic takes about 9 months to mature. So, for a fall harvest, calculate your planting time accordingly.
17. Radicchio
Radicchio is a type of chicory that adds a bitter, spicy flavor to salads. It is a cool-weather-loving perennial and can grow through the fall into early winter.
You can start planting seeds for this crop in midsummer to reap in the fall.
18. Fennel
Fennel is a unique vegetable where you can sow the seeds in mid to late summer. It grows well in cooler temperatures and is often harvested in late fall.
19. Bok Choy
Bok choy is a type of Chinese cabbage. It grows quickly and loves cool weather.
Plant the seeds in late summer through early fall to enjoy a fall crop of bok choy (pak choi).
20. Peas
Peas also grow well in the fall. Plant them in the midsummer for a fall harvest.
21. Rutabagas
Rutabagas are similar to turnips and thrive well in the cool autumn weather. Plant the seeds from late May to early June to reap in the fall.
22. Celery
This veggie also thrives in the cool temperatures of fall and develops a rich flavor when grown in the cooler months.
Celery can take time to mature, but the crisp stalks are worth the wait—plant in May or June to harvest in the fall.
23. Parsnips
Parsnips are a root vegetable that tastes better when the weather is cold.
They can be harvested through fall and winter if the ground doesn’t freeze too hard.
For an autumn harvest, sow the seeds in spring.
24. Endive
Endive is a leafy green, cool-season plant that thrives in cool weather. It can be used in salads or lightly sautéed as a side dish.
Plant in summer for a fall harvest.
25. Kohlrabi
Kohlrabi is a unique vegetable in the cabbage family [4]. Sow the seeds outdoors in mid- to late summer to reap in the fall.
See also: Spring vegetables and fruits to grow.
Takeaway
Fall gardening offers a fantastic opportunity to grow or harvest vegetables that thrive in cooler temperatures.
From leafy greens to root vegetables, this list of fall vegetables will give you an idea of what to plant for harvesting in the fall.
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