What To Plant Now For Your Fall Garden

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As summer fades and temperatures cool, many gardeners might think it’s time to wrap up their gardening efforts. But fall is actually a great opportunity to plant a variety of crops that thrive in cooler weather. The key to a successful fall garden lies in knowing what to plant and how to extend your growing season.

This article will guide you through what to plant now for a productive fall harvest and offer techniques for extending your gardening season using tools like greenhouses and row covers.

Why Plant in the Fall?

Fall gardening has several benefits. With cooler temperatures, there are fewer pests and diseases to battle, and certain crops actually taste better when grown in the cold. Additionally, a fall garden can extend your growing season well beyond summer, keeping your kitchen stocked with fresh vegetables as winter approaches.

Timing Is Key

Before you begin, it’s important to know your area’s first frost date. Many fall crops need 6–8 weeks to mature before the first hard frost. By counting backward from that date, you can determine when to plant your seeds or transplants. In warmer climates, fall gardening can stretch well into the winter months.

What to Plant in Your Fall Garden

Fall is ideal for planting many cool-weather crops. Below is a detailed guide to some of the best crops for fall gardening, from leafy greens to root vegetables and beyond.

1. Leafy Greens

Fall is perfect for leafy greens that thrive in cooler temperatures.

• Spinach: Fast-growing and frost-tolerant, spinach can survive light frosts and continue producing into early winter.
• Kale: Kale is very cold-hardy and often tastes sweeter after frost, making it ideal for fall harvesting.
• Lettuce: Varieties like butterhead, romaine, and leaf lettuce grow quickly and are perfect for fall planting.
• Swiss Chard: Chard is frost-tolerant and produces leaves well into the colder months.
• Arugula: This peppery green grows quickly in cool weather, offering a continuous harvest.
• Mustard Greens: Spicy and hardy, mustard greens improve in flavor after frost.
• Endive and Escarole: These bitter greens are frost-tolerant and provide a unique flavor to salads and soups.

2. Root Vegetables

Root crops are a staple in fall gardens, storing well and becoming sweeter after frost.

• Carrots: Carrots become sweeter as temperatures cool. Plant early to harvest before the first frost.
• Beets: Both the root and the greens are edible, and they grow well in cooler weather.
• Turnips: Fast-growing and versatile, turnips can be harvested quickly in the fall.
• Radishes: One of the fastest-growing vegetables, radishes can be ready in as little as 30 days.
• Rutabagas: Slower-growing but cold-hardy, rutabagas store well after harvest.
• Parsnips: Parsnips take time to mature but develop a sweeter flavor after frost.
• Salsify: This unusual root vegetable can survive frosts and adds variety to your garden.

3. Brassicas (Cabbage Family)

Brassicas, like broccoli and cabbage, thrive in the cool fall weather.

• Broccoli: Cooler temperatures help broccoli grow larger heads and better flavor.
• Cauliflower: This heat-sensitive crop grows best in the fall.
• Brussels Sprouts: Brussels sprouts become sweeter after frost and can be harvested throughout the fall.
• Cabbage: Cabbage is frost-tolerant and great for fall growing.
• Kohlrabi: With its crisp, swollen stems, kohlrabi is a unique addition to your fall garden.
• Chinese Cabbage (Napa Cabbage): This fast-growing cabbage variety is perfect for fall stir-fries and kimchi.
• Collard Greens: Extremely cold-hardy, collard greens can be harvested well into the colder months.

4. Legumes

Cool-weather legumes are another great option for fall gardens.

• • Snow Peas: These can be planted for a fall harvest of tender pods.
  • Shelling Peas: Garden peas thrive in cool fall weather, producing sweet, tender peas.
  • Fava Beans: Fava beans love cooler weather and can be planted for a spring harvest in warmer regions.

 

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5. Herbs

Some herbs grow well into the fall and even after the first frost.

• Parsley: Frost-hardy and perfect for fall planting, parsley can be harvested into winter.
• Cilantro: Thriving in cooler temperatures, cilantro grows well in fall.
• Thyme: A hardy perennial herb, thyme grows well into the fall and can even survive mild winters.
• Oregano: This perennial herb continues to grow in cooler temperatures.
• Sage: Sage is frost-tolerant and perfect for late-season harvests.
• Chervil: This delicate herb grows best in cooler weather, making it ideal for fall.

6. Other Cool-Weather Crops

1. Leeks: Leeks are frost-hardy and can be harvested late into the fall or winter.
2. Fennel: Bulbing fennel thrives in cooler weather and adds a licorice-like flavor to dishes.
3. Onions (Bunching Onions and Scallions): These fast-growing crops are perfect for fall and can be harvested continuously.
4. Garlic: Though planted in fall for a summer harvest, garlic is essential for your garden, providing a future harvest.

Extending Your Growing Season

To extend your growing season beyond the first frost, there are several effective techniques that can help.

1. Row Covers

Row covers are lightweight fabrics placed over plants to protect them from frost. They allow light and water through while maintaining a slightly warmer microclimate underneath, extending your growing season by a few weeks.

2. Cold Frames

A cold frame acts as a small greenhouse, trapping heat during the day and protecting plants from frost at night. It’s perfect for fall crops like lettuce, spinach, and carrots, and can extend your growing season by weeks or months.

3. Greenhouses

For those serious about extending their gardening into winter, a greenhouse is an excellent investment. It allows you to grow plants in a controlled environment even as outside temperatures drop. Greenhouses come in many sizes, from small, portable models to larger, permanent structures.

4. Mulching

Applying mulch around your plants insulates the soil, keeping it warmer and preventing frost from damaging tender roots. Mulch also helps retain moisture, which is beneficial in the drier fall months.

5. Cloches and Tunnels

Cloches are small covers that protect individual plants, while tunnels (also known as low tunnels) are larger and cover rows of plants. These tools can create a mini greenhouse effect, allowing you to grow crops into late fall or early winter.

Conclusion

Fall gardening offers a chance to extend your harvest and enjoy fresh vegetables long after summer crops have been harvested. With a variety of cool-weather crops like leafy greens, root vegetables, and brassicas, your garden can thrive well into the colder months. By utilizing season-extending tools like greenhouses, cold frames, and row covers, you can keep your garden productive and enjoy fresh, homegrown produce throughout the fall—and even winter. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, there’s plenty to plant and enjoy this fall!