Sasha CampbellMany gardeners find that fall is one of the best times to grow crops. Cooler temperatures and shorter days make fall an excellent season for growing many vegetables.
Below are 25 of the best vegetables to plant for a fall harvest. Some are planted in late summer, while others are ready for harvest in the fall.
Planting dates vary depending on where you live. Use your local first frost date as a guide when deciding when to sow seeds or transplant seedlings.
Best Fall Vegetables to Grow
1. Kale
Kale is a hardy green that tastes sweeter after a light frost [1].
Kale grows from seedlings in about 55 to 75 days, making it an excellent choice for a fall harvest. Start planting kale in late summer for a fall 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. Frost makes carrots sweeter because the plants turn starch into sugar.
3. Spinach
Spinach loves cool weather. It can survive light to moderate frosts, and many varieties can even overwinter with protection [2].
It’s a fast-growing vegetable. 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.
They are great plants for any garden because their greens and roots are edible. Sow beet seeds about 6 to 8 weeks before your first fall frost.
5. Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is also a cool-season vegetable that is easy to grow and perfect for your fall garden.
Its colorful stems brighten any garden, and it can handle light frost.
6. Radishes
Radishes grow 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 a variety of dishes.
Some varieties can also continue growing through winter in mild climates.
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.
Sow turnip seeds 6 to 10 weeks before your first fall frost 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 seeds indoors in midsummer, then transplant seedlings outdoors about 6 to 8 weeks before your first fall frost.
11. Cauliflower
Cauliflower is another cool-weather crop that grows well in the fall. It requires a bit more attention, but it thrives in the lower temperatures of autumn.
Start cauliflower seeds 12 to 16 weeks before your first fall frost.
12. Leeks
Leeks are perennial plants, but most gardeners grow them as annual vegetables.
They are part of the onion family and are perfect for fall gardens. When mature, they can also withstand frost and cold weather.
Start leeks in spring or early summer for a fall or winter harvest.
13. Collard Greens
Collard greens are very frost-tolerant, and their flavor improves as temperatures drop.
Many varieties can survive winter in mild climates. 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. Green Onions
Green onions (scallions) can be planted in late summer for a fall harvest. Bulb onions usually need a longer growing season and are often planted earlier or overwintered for harvest the following year.
They’re easy to grow and can withstand frosts and moderate freezes during their growth cycle.
16. Garlic
Garlic is a perennial vegetable, but it is usually grown as an annual for its flavorful bulbs. Plant garlic cloves in the fall for a harvest the following late spring or early summer.
17. Radicchio
Radicchio is a type of chicory with a slightly bitter, spicy flavor. It grows best as a cool-season vegetable.
You can start planting seeds for this crop in midsummer to harvest in the fall.
18. Fennel
Fennel is a cool-season vegetable with a mild, licorice-like flavor. 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. Sow seeds 8 to 10 weeks before your first fall frost.
21. Rutabagas
Rutabagas are similar to turnips and thrive well in the cool autumn weather. Sow seeds 10 to 12 weeks before your first fall frost.
22. Celery
Celery grows best in cool weather and develops crisp, flavorful stalks.
Because celery grows slowly, start seeds in spring or buy young transplants for a fall harvest.
23. Parsnips
Parsnips are a root vegetable that tastes better when the weather is cold.
They can be harvested from fall to winter, provided 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 endive in late 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 harvest them in the fall.
See also: Spring vegetables and fruits to grow.
Takeaway
Fall is one of the best seasons for growing cool-weather vegetables. Whether you prefer leafy greens, root vegetables, or cabbage-family crops, planting at the right time can reward you with a healthy harvest before winter arrives.
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