28 Vegetables to Grow for Fall
By the time summer comes to an end the thought of tending to another garden may seem like too much! But some plants really prefer the cool weather and so a fall vegetable garden is a great option for growing some of your favorite cool season crops.
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In this post, I’ll cover the best vegetables to grow for fall and some extra planting information you need for success in your fall garden!
What Vegetables Are Good to Grow for Fall?
Fall is a great time to plant cool-season vegetables that can handle the shorter days and cooler temperatures.
Some of my favorite vegetables to plant in the fall include broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, kale, and beets. These veggies thrive in the cooler weather and can often survive light frosts, which can even enhance their flavor! See my full list below.
If you’re in planting zones 3 to 7, you’ll want to focus on these cold-hardy crops.
In warmer zones, like 8 to 10, you can even keep planting a wider variety of vegetables, as the temperatures are more moderate and the crops can continue growing throughout winter.
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When Should I Start My Fall Vegetable Garden?
Timing is everything when it comes to fall gardening! You want to make sure your veggies have enough time to mature before the first frost hits.
I typically recommend starting your fall vegetable garden around late July or early August if you’re in zones 3 to 7. This gives the plants enough time to establish themselves before the cold weather sets in.
In warmer zones (8 to 10), you can wait until September or even early October, as your growing season lasts longer.
What Vegetables Can You Plant in August?
August is a great time to start planning and planting for the fall!
In zones 3 to 7, you can plant quick-growing crops like radishes, spinach, and lettuce, which will mature before the frost.
For zones 8 to 10, August is the perfect time to get broccoli, cabbage, and carrots in the ground, as these cooler-weather crops will thrive as the temperatures begin to drop.
What Vegetables Can Be Planted in October?
October may seem late, but it’s not too late to plant in warmer zones like 8 to 10. In these regions, you can still get garlic, onions, and leafy greens like kale and spinach into the ground for winter harvesting.
In cooler zones (3 to 7), October is an excellent time to plant garlic and certain hardy greens in cold frames or under row covers for extended harvests into the winter.
Vegetables to Grow for Fall
- Arugula
- Beets
- Bok Choy
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Cilantro – Learn how to grow cilantro here.
- Collard greens
- Garlic
- Kale
- Kohlrabi
- Leeks
- Lettuce
- Mustard greens
- Onions
- Parsley
- Parsnips
- Peas
- Potatoes
- Radishes
- Rutabaga
- Scallions
- Spinach
- Swiss Chard
- Turnips
This list is long, and although it’s unlikely that you’ll plant everything at once, it shows all of the possibilities for your garden. I really love a fall garden because even though I am exhausted from gardening all summer, it’s much easier in the fall.
The weather is cooler, which makes working outside more enjoyable. Since the weather is cooler, the plants require less water!
Some of my favorite veggies, like broccoli, carrots, and lettuce, thrive in the cooler weather, so I get a much better fall harvest than I do earlier in the gardening season.
Planning Your Fall Garden
There are a few things to consider when planning out your garden vegetables for the fall, though. You need to know your growing zone, which will allow you to check out when your first and last frost dates are.
Find your ideal planting dates using my favorite garden planning software called Seedtime!
If you live somewhere with harsh weather that comes on fast, you can specifically plant fast-growing vegetables that are ready to harvest quickly, such as radishes, baby mix lettuce, and spinach.
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All About Crops and Their Days to Harvest
If you know your growing climate and whether or not a crop is a short season, half season, or a long season crop, you can better plan out what will grow most successfully.
For example, short season crops are ready to harvest much quicker than long season crops. So if you missed your first planting dates short season crops are a great option because they will mature quickly.
Whereas long season crops take a long time to mature so it’s more important to plant on time so that the crop can mature in the ideal weather conditions.
Short Season Crops in Days to Harvest
From sowing seeds:
- Arugula, 30-60 days
- Baby Mix Lettuce, 25-40 days
- Radishes, 30-60 days
- Spinach, 30-40 days
From transplanting:
- Lettuce Heads, 30-45 days
Half-Season Crops and Their Harvest Times
From sowing seeds:
- Beets, 50-60 days
- Carrots, 50-60 days
From transplanting:
- Broccoli, 60-75 days
- Cabbage, 60-90 days
- Cauliflower, 50-80 days
- Swiss Chard, 50-60 days
- Collards, 50-60 days
- Kale, 50-60 days
Long-Season Crops and Their Harvest Times
From sowing seeds:
- Rutabagas, 90-100 days
From transplanting:
- Brussels Sprouts, 90-120 days
- Celery, 75-85 days
Get the Fall Garden Guide
Grab the Fall Garden Guide and you’ll get planting and growing information for 27 fall crops, a garden glossary to understand key gardening terms & concepts, tips for successful fall gardening, a spreadsheet to plan out your own planting dates, & more!
You’ll Get,
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