11 Crops to Plant in the Fall Garden
As hard as it might be to believe it is time to start thinking about autumn again...at least that is what the fake pumpkins and farm animals skeleton at tractor supply reminded me today!
So before the pumpkin spice lattes and knit sweaters come roaring back into our lives, let’s get ready to plant our fall gardens.
In this blog I will discuss the best crops to plant for the cooler temperature of fall, helpful planting tips and when and how to harvest.
Remember to check your region's first frost date HERE so you know when to plant.
Leafy Greens
Growing leafy greens in the fall can be a great way to extend your harvest and can be planted late summer through fall in most planting zones. It is best to choose leafy greens that thrive in cooler temperatures and have a shorter maturity period. Some great options include spinach, kale, lettuce (especially cold-hardy varieties like romaine and leaf lettuce), arugula, Swiss chard, and mustard greens.
Leafy Green Planting Tips
Plant your leafy greens about 6-8 weeks before the first frost date
Plant in location with well-draining soil rich in organic matter
Make sure the location receives 6-8 hours per day of sunlight
Sow seeds about ¼ to ½ inch deep and thin to about 1 inch apart and rows at least 2-3 inches
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged and add mulch around your plants once established
Harvesting Leafy Greens
Begin harvesting outer leaves of leafy greens as soon as they reach a usable size, typically 4-6 inches long for most varieties. This encourages continued growth from the center of the plant. Cut leaves with a sharp knife or scissors, leaving the center intact for future growth.
2. Carrots
The cooler weather of fall can provide an ideal climate for extending your harvest of crisp, crunchy carrots. Carrots will need about 60 days to mature and can take 2-3 weeks to germinate. Plant carrots throughout late summer or early fall when the soil temperatures are still warm and succession plant to stay in carrots throughout fall.
Carrot Growing Tips
Plant seeds shallow (about ¼ inch) in loose, well-drained soil
Keep soil evenly moist to ensure germination
After seeds germinate thin out to about 2 inches apart
Mulch around carrots will help retain moisture and keeps weeds down
Fertilize can be added about 2 weeks after carrot tops emerge
Harvesting Carrots
Protect carrots with mulch and row covers as temperatures drop, especially during hard freezes. Carrots however can survive some frost and the cooler weather can even enhance their sweet flavor. You can keep carrots in the ground and harvest as needed but you will want to harvest before the ground freezes over.
3. Parsnips
Parsnips are an ideal crop for the fall garden and will actually get sweeter with a decent frost. They take about 95-100 days to mature and can stay in the ground and harvest as needed in warmer planting zones as long as the ground does not freeze.
Parsnips Growing Tips
Plant seeds mid-late summer for fall harvest or mid-late autumn for spring harvest
Plant in ground ½ inches deep and 3 inches apart
Fertilize and mulch with straw in early fall
Do not use old seeds as they have bad germination rates
You can get better germination rates by pre- sprouting seeds in wet paper towels and planting directly in soil
Harvesting Parsnips
Parsnips will be ready to harvest in about 95-110 days depending on the varieties used. They can be kept in the ground during frost and used as needed but will need to be harvested before the ground freezes. A thick layer of mulch can help keep the ground from freezing and extend the harvest of your parsnips. Parsnips should be harvested when they are about 1 inch in diameter and can be gently loosened from soil like carrots.
4. Radishes
Radishes are a very low maintenance and easy to grow crop that can be planted in many seasons, including the fall. They are quick to harvest and can be succession planted throughout the season to keep you in crunchy, radish goodness.
Radish Growing Tip
Plant your last batch of radishes about 4-6 weeks before first frost date
Sow seeds about 1 inch apart in loose, well-drained soil
Keep soil moist and mulch around when seeds germinate
Mulch and row covers can be used to extend season longer
Succession plant starting mid-late summer for more radishes
Harvesting Radishes
Most varieties of radishes will be ready to harvest in about 30 days and are best harvested for flavor before they get too big. They are easy to gently pull out of the soil and dust off dirt. They are great sliced up and added to salad or can be fermented in vinegar for longer storage.
5. Bush Beans
Bush beans are a little tricker to grow in the cooler temperatures so will do best in the high planting zones for a fall garden. Plant bush beans 6-8 weeks before the first expected frost date to get a harvest before the cooler weather comes.
Bush Beans Planting Tips
Prefers warmer soil for germination-mid to late summer is ideal
Plant seeds 1 inches deep- at least 3 inches apart and rows 18-24 inches apart
Water seeds consistently until germination and mulch
Use row covers if you need to keep soil warm
Beans will ripen slower during cooler weather
Harvesting Bush Beans
Bush beans are ready to harvest about 40-60 days after planting. Pick beans when pods are long and crisp but not too swollen and pick often. Unlike runner beans, bush beans will generally produce beans within a 2 week period and is great for preserving the harvest.
6. Peas
Peas can do great in the cooler weather of fall and can even bring out a sweeter flavor. Peas need about 60-70 days to mature and should be planted 4-6 weeks before the first expected frost date.
Peas Planting Tips
Plant seeds about 1 inch deep and 1-2 inches apart
Peas will do best grown on a trellis or vertical structure
Consistent watering is ideal for growing peas, especially during flowering
Carrots and radishes can make great companion plant for peas
Succession plant throughout season
Harvesting Peas
Peas are typically ready to harvest 60-70 days after planting. Harvest peas when they are bright green and firm before they get swollen and lighter in color. They will keep in the fridge for about a week and can also be frozen for longer storage.
7. Leeks
Leeks prefer the cooler weather of spring and fall and grow best in rich, deeply worked soil. I like to follow potatoes with leeks after the soil has been loosened by the potato harvest. Work in some compost and loosen up the soil to prepare the soil for planting leeks. Leeks take a long time to mature so will do best over-wintered in the warmer planting zones.
Leek Planting Tips
Direct sow leeks shallow in the soil, barely covered
If start indoors, plant 8-10 weeks before the first frost date
Look for shorter season varieties for fall planting
Keep soil moist but not waterlogged
Be patient, leeks can take a long time to germinate
Harvesting Leeks
Leeks usually take about 80-120 days to reach maturity and are best harvested when about 1 inch in diameter. Using a garden fork, gently lift leeks out of the ground when ready to harvest. Although leeks are best eaten fresh they can be stored in a cool place and roots can be wrapped in wet paper towels and placed in plastic bags for longer storage.
8. Potatoes
The purpose of planting potatoes for a fall garden will really depend on your planting zone and when you are ready to plant. You can choose to plant potatoes for a late harvest, about 110 days before your first frost date, or can plant them in autumn and overwinter to get an early start for your spring harvest. Potatoes will slow or even not grow when soil is above 80 degrees so it will depend on your climate.
Potato Planting Tips
Plant potatoes 8-10 weeks before first frost date
Zones 6-8 will do best with a fall planting, lower zones should plant in spring and warmer zones can plant in late autumn for early spring harvest
Plant seed potatoes in trench 10-12 inches apart with rows 30-36 inches apart
Cover potatoes with soil and hill up with soil and straw as potatoes grow throughout season
Keep potatoes covered from sunlight to prevent green potatoes and consistently watered throughout season
Harvesting Potatoes
Once the foliage starts to yellow and die back the potatoes are ready to harvest. Gently loosen the soil with a garden fork and go digging. Brush dirt off potatoes gently and allow to cure in a cold, dark place for about 2-3 weeks. Potatoes can be washed off with water before use but cleaning with water before being fully cured causes shorter storage life and mold issues.
9. Broccoli
The brassica family does well in cooler climates and can be an ideal crop for the fall garden. Broccoli should be planted 8-10 weeks before your first frost date to get the harvest in before the weather turns. Seeds can be started indoors or directly seeded in fall, just make sure soil stays moist.
Broccoli Planting Tips
If directly sowing plant 2-3 seeds in about ½ inch of soil about 6 inch apart
Thin seedling once sprouted to 18 inches apart
Seedling started indoors can be planted in garden when about 3 inches high
Keep soil evenly moist throughout heat and mulch to retain moisture
Fertilize once seedling are established and again 4 weeks later
Harvesting Broccoli
Harvest broccoli before small flower buds form when the crop has a firm compact head on top. You will also get a second and even third broccoli harvest from the side shoots that are sent out. Store broccoli in the fridge or freeze for later.
10. Cabbage
Cabbage is a cold-season crop and will usually do better and have less pests and disease in the cooler seasons. Most varieties of cabbage will take about a 100 days to reach maturity and should be planted 6-8 before the first frost date.
Cabbage Planting Tips
Plant seeds in fertile well-drained soil about ½ inch deep
Thin seedling 12-18 in apart and rows 2-3 feet apart
Keep soil moist and make sure young seedlings do not dry out in summer heat
Mulch around plants to retain moisture in soil
Fertilize 2-3 weeks after planting
Harvesting Cabbage
Cabbage can be harvested when a firm head has formed on the plant, do not wait too long or the head can split. Cut at the base of the plant and remove any yellow outer leaves and store in a cool, dark area-such as a root cellar.
11. Brussel Sprouts
Brussel Sprouts are a crop that actually seems to improve in flavor after a frost and does best in a fall garden. Brussel sprouts should be started indoors and transplanted out after the worst of the summer heat has passed.
Brussel Sprouts Planting Tips
Plant 6-10 weeks before first frost date
Sow seeds ½ inch deep in well-drained and fertile soil
Space 12-24 inches apart
Fertilize about every 3-4 weeks through growing season
Water deeply and add a thick layer of mulch to keep soil moist and protect roots
Harvesting Brussel Sprouts
Sprouts can be harvested as they develop-they will be firm, green and about 1-2 inches in diameter. Sprouts can be twisted off the stem or cut with a knife and stored in the fridge. The bottom sprouts will be able to be harvested first and more sprouts will develop up the stem as the plant matures. After a moderate frost the plant can be pulled up, leaves cut off and hung upside down in the root cellar for storage or other cool, dark place.
Check Out My YouTube Channel on Fall Planting Here!
