Although spring and summer are usually the hero months for gardening, don't put fall on the back foot. Fall gardening is a fantastic opportunity to prolong the gardening season and savor fresh produce from your garden before winter hits.

Not only do you enjoy fresh vegetables for longer, but the cooler temps make it less sweaty, yeah! Also, some crops prefer cooler weather and even thrive with some light frost. 

If you arrived late to the party during spring and missed the chance to grow some delicious veggies, fall is your chance to give it a go!

Just because cooler days are on their way does not mean your gardening has to go into hibernation too!

Scroll down for my top tips on planning a fall garden and a guide on which vegetables to plant for fall according to your zone.

When To Plant A Fall Garden

Don't be fooled by the words "Fall Garden." This does not mean planting in the fall. It actually means harvesting in the fall! A fall garden should be planted in the summer. 

Another crucial factor is taking your area's first frost date into consideration. When that first frost hits, it will be the end for many tender annuals and slow down the growth of your cool-season crops. So by this time, you want most of your plants to have matured already.

For most regions, fall veggies are planted around July/ August, giving them enough time to size up while the growing conditions are still favorable.

Count back the days to maturity from the first expected frost date to determine the planting date - this is usually indicated on the seed packet. To be safe, add a week or two, as the days indicated on the packages assume long days and warm temperatures.

Often fast-growing crops can still be planted in September. But slower-growing crops like carrots and broccoli need to be planted in July/Aug to have enough time to grow.

 Why Fall Veggies Are Planted in Summer

Plants that have 12 hours of sunlight, as is the case in summer, can photosynthesize much more sugar than when they have only 6–8 hours of sunlight. These sugars are essential for sustainable growth and healthy plants. So as the amount of sunlight decreases, so will the plant's growth.

And this is why we need to make use of the much-needed summer rays in summer for fall vegetables to be successful.

Most vegetables need warmer soil to germinate and grow best in soil with temperatures around 75–85 degrees F (there are a few exceptions). The soil temperature usually follows the air temps, so as the air cools, the ground will, too, leading to slower growth.

Should You Direct Sow or Transplant Fall Vegetables?

Brasillicas, like broccoli and cabbage, take longer to grow and prefer cooler soil temps. Start broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, kale, and cabbage indoors and transplant them when the soil gets to around 70 degrees F.

Remember to harden them off before transplanting! Read more here on how to harden off plants. 

If time is not on your side, buy these crops as seedlings to transplant them when the time is right.

If your area is not scorching hot, you can directly sow these cool-weather crops and cover them with temporary shading. Or direct sow them under taller summer crops.

It also helps to cool down the soil with proper deep watering before direct sowing, and covering the ground with mulch to keep the soil cool and moist. 

Fast growers like radishes, lettuce, arugula, beets, carrots, peas, and spinach are often better off when sown directly in the garden. Always check the seed packets to indicate that the variety is suitable for fall planting.

The most critical element for direct sowing is adequate and consistent watering for proper germination and growth!

 Where To Plant Your Fall Garden

As with all veggies, fall and winter crops require the sun to grow, and for successful harvests, they need at least 6 hours of sun. Follow the sun throughout the year to determine the best spots to plant.

It's also a great idea to practice crop rotation—planting something different in that spot than what you did the previous year or two. This will prevent pests from getting out of control, and it also helps put a variety of minerals and essential elements like nitrogen back into the soil.

If you are limited on space, plant young transplants or seeds between summer crops that will soon be harvested and reach the end of their growing cycle.

 Prepare The Beds/ Planting Area

Remove any spring and summer garden remains, including plant debris, roots, pest-infested plants, and weeds, to start with a clean slate.

When planting in beds where other crops were grown, the soil may be compacted and its nutrients depleted.

Till the soil about 6 to 8 inches deep to loosen the ground and make it easier for seeds to sprout and set roots. Add some fresh compost or well-rotted manure to restore essential nutrients, minerals, and microbes for the new crops.

If you added a lot of fertilizer during spring and summer, no fertilizer might be needed. If it has been a while, add organic fertilizer and incorporate it thoroughly. You can read more here on how to fertilize your garden.

Speaking of beds, I often get asked what the difference is between raised beds and in-ground beds and which is better. You can read more here on raised beds vs. in-ground garden beds and how to decide what is best for your garden.

Vegetables To Plant For Fall

When planning your fall garden, choosing suitable crops is crucial. If you choose right, you'll be able to harvest veggies right into winter. To be able to do this, stick to these 3 groupings of plants:

Group 1 – Warm Soil Sprouters/ Late Summer Crops/ Frost Haters

These crops will germinate quickly when grown as fall vegetables, provided the soil is kept moist and warm enough. 

Bush beans (In warmer regions)

Broccoli

Collards,

Radishes

Tomatoes if the weather is still favorable.

Pumpkins (They need a long frost-free period to grow)

Peas (Quick-growing dwarf varieties),

Group 2 – Mild Soil temps/Early Fall Crops/ Light Frost Tolerant

These crops are best started indoors because they need a longer growing period and prefer soil temperatures below 70ºF to sprout. They can tolerate some light frost.

Beets (can grow deep into winter)

Brussel Sprouts (can grow well into winter)

Chinese cabbage (such as bok choy),

Cabbage

Cauliflower

Carrots

Kale (can grow throughout winter)

Lettuce

Herbs

Peas

Spinach (can grow deep into winter)

Group 3 – Cool Soil/ Mid to late Fall Crops/ Frost Lovers

These crops love the colder weather, and some frost even makes them taste better and crisper.

Arugula,

Cilantro,

Winter varieties of lettuce

Kale

Turnips

Don't forget about plants you can plant in the fall for a spring harvest. These include onions, shallots, garlic, and leeks. Plant them after the first fall frost.

READ MORE: 13 fall vegetables to plant in summer for a bountiful fall and winter harvest

Here is a free detailed guide on which vegetables to plant for fall according to your zone.

I love that fall gardening prolongs the gardening season and allows us to enjoy produce from the garden straight into winter! It’s now the time to get those fingernails brown and get your seeds to bed for yummy fall harvests!

Love, Annette xx

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