7 Fast-Growing Fall Vegetables

It’s easy to miss planting dates and feel like you have to wait until the next season to start gardening again. But don’t worry! There are plenty of fast-growing vegetables you can plant right now, and you can still enjoy a bountiful harvest. 

Understanding Frost Dates for Your Planting Zone

Before we dive in, first, you need to learn about your planting zone and frost dates. 

A frost date is the average date when the first frost occurs in the fall, or the last frost occurs in the spring. Knowing your local frost date helps you determine the best time to plant and harvest crops. 

To find your frost date and planting zone, visit the USDA. 

This information is crucial for planning your garden, as planting too early or too late can affect the success of your crops.

To extend your growing season, you can incorporate row covers which I’ll discuss more at the end of this article. 

Fast-Growing Fall Vegetables: A Guide to Quick Harvests

In this post, I’ll share seven super fast-growing vegetables perfect for fall planting. Whether you’re trying to beat the first frost or just love the variety that fall gardening offers, this season has something special for everyone.

Cooler temps make it a joy to be outside, and the unique veggies you can grow are a bonus. These quick-maturing veggies that you can plant even if you feel like you’re running late.

So dive into fall gardening and enjoy all the fresh, delicious produce it brings to your kitchen!

The Joy of Planting Fast-Growing Seeds

Gardening isn’t just a spring and summer activity. Fall is a fantastic time to plant vegetables that thrive in cooler temperatures.

Planting fast-growing seeds in the fall garden is a rewarding experience, bringing quick results and fresh produce to your table in no time. Even if it feels like you’re behind, there’s still plenty of time to grow and harvest delicious produce.

Plus, if you’re in a colder climate, there are ways to help your seeds germinate and thrive.

You shouldn’t have any trouble getting any of these seeds to germinate but if your soil is too cold you can cover your garden beds with row covers (see below), or plastic to help retain heat and moisture, creating a more favorable environment for seed germination.

But now let’s get started with our list of fast-growing fall vegetables!

1. Arugula

Arugula is a versatile green that can be harvested as a microgreen in just about 12 days. If you prefer fully mature leaves, you can harvest them in about 30 to 40 days. Arugula is a great choice if you want to add a peppery flavor to your salads or dishes quickly.

Variety to try,

• Italian Arugula

2. Bok Choy

Bok choy is another fast-growing fall vegetable, ready to harvest in about 40 to 50 days. It prefers mild temperatures, ideally between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If your area hasn’t gotten too cold yet, bok choy is an excellent choice for a quick and nutritious harvest.

Variety to try,

• Green Fortune Baby Pak Choi

3. Lettuce

Lettuce comes in many varieties, but for a quick harvest, consider planting baby mix lettuce or regular head lettuce. Baby mix lettuce should be directly sown by seed and can be ready to harvest in about 25 to 30 days. 

Head lettuce, such as romaine, can be planted by seed or as transplants and usually takes around 50 days to mature.

See our helpful tips on How To Thin Lettuce Seedlings.

Varieties to try,

• Gourmet Mix Loose Leaf Lettuce
• Black Seeded Simpson

4. Mustard Greens

Mustard greens are a flavorful addition to any garden and can be harvested in about 50 to 55 days. They should be planted directly from seed and can withstand cooler temperatures, making them ideal for fall planting.

Variety to try,

• Cut and Come Again Mustard Greens

5. Radishes

Radishes are one of the quickest vegetables to grow, with some varieties like Cherry Belle ready to harvest in as little as 21 days. Larger varieties, such as the daikon radish, may take 45 to 50 days, but they are still a quick option for fall planting.

Watch our helpful video on How to Save Radish Seeds.

Varieties to try,

• Cherry Belle
• Daikon

6. Spinach

Spinach is a versatile and cold-tolerant vegetable, perfect for fall gardens. It can be harvested in about 40 days, with baby mix varieties maturing even sooner. You can enjoy it fresh in salads or cooked in a variety of dishes.

Variety to try,

• Little Hero

7. Turnips

Turnips are another quick-maturing vegetable, ready to harvest in about 50 to 60 days. They can be planted directly by seed and are great for both their roots and greens.

Variety to try,

• Purple Top White Globe

Row Covers for Fall Gardens

If the weather remains cold, keep a floating row cover on your plants throughout the winter to protect them and extend your growing season.

Row covers can extend the growing season by insulating plants from cold temperatures and frost, allowing for continued growth and protection.

For more in-depth information on using floating row covers, check out the video linked here. Floating row covers are incredibly versatile, helping to protect your plants from cold, pests, and more.

Learn how to easily set them up in my video here on Row Covers.

Tips for Successful Planting of These Fall Vegetables

• Most of these vegetables germinate best in soil temperatures around 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit.
• If it’s already too cold where you are, consider using floating row covers or garden plastic to warm the soil and help with germination. 
• You can also use plastic trays to cover newly planted seeds during the day.

No matter your gardening goals, these fast-growing fall vegetables offer a perfect opportunity to enjoy a bountiful harvest even as the days get cooler. 

7 Quick Maturing Fall Vegetables You Can Harvest in 30-60 Days