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Fall gardening is a great way to extend the growing season and enjoy fresh vegetables well into autumn. We can plant many cool-weather crops that thrive in the milder temperatures and shorter days of fall. These veggies often taste even better when grown in cooler weather.
Planting a fall garden allows us to grow nutritious food at home and save money on groceries. It’s also a fun outdoor activity as the weather turns crisp. We can harvest delicious homegrown produce for our fall and winter meals with some planning.
1. Kale
Kale is a fantastic vegetable to grow in your fall garden. We love it for its hardiness and ability to withstand cold temperatures.
Plant kale in late summer for a bountiful autumn and winter harvest. It thrives in cool weather, making it perfect for fall gardens. Kale is easy to grow and doesn’t need much care. We can plant it every two weeks to ensure a steady supply of fresh leaves.
This leafy green becomes even tastier after light frosts. Its flavor gets sweeter, making it a treat in salads and cooked dishes.
2. Spinach
Spinach is an excellent choice for fall gardens. We can plant it directly in the soil about 1/2 to 1 inch deep. It’s best to space seeds 2 inches apart at first.
When the plants reach 2 inches tall, we thin them to 4-6 inches apart. Closer spacing works well for baby spinach, while wider gaps are better for larger leaves. Spinach grows best when soil temperatures are between 45 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. We can check soil temperatures with a soil thermometer before planting.
Fall spinach often produces big, tasty harvests through September, October, and November. It’s a great crop for cold-weather gardening and can handle light frosts.
3. Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are a great fall vegetable to grow in your garden. We plant them in mid-to-late summer for a late fall or early winter harvest in warmer areas.
In colder regions, we start them in spring for an early fall crop. Brussels sprouts take 3-6 months to mature, depending on the variety.
These plants like rich, well-drained soil and full sun. We keep the soil evenly moist with regular watering. Brussels sprouts taste best after a light frost. We can harvest the sprouts at about 1 inch in diameter, starting from the bottom of the stalk.
4. Broccoli
Broccoli is a great vegetable to grow in fall gardens. We find it thrives in cooler temperatures between 65°F and 70°F. For the best results, we plant broccoli in full sun. The soil should be slightly acidic with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8.
Fall-grown broccoli often has a sweeter flavor. This is because the plant produces more sugars to protect itself from cold weather.
We space our broccoli plants 12 to 20 inches apart. This gives them room to grow large, healthy heads. To keep our broccoli plants happy, we fertilize them about three weeks after planting. A low-nitrogen fertilizer works well for this.
5. Cauliflower
Cauliflower is a great vegetable to grow in our fall gardens. It thrives in cooler temperatures and can provide a tasty harvest before winter sets in. We should plant cauliflower seeds about 6-8 weeks before the first expected frost. They need full sun and well-draining soil rich in organic matter.
Spacing is important for cauliflower. We’ll want to plant them 24 inches apart in rows, with 30 inches between each row. This gives them room to grow and form nice heads.
Cauliflower takes about 50-85 days to mature, depending on the variety. We can choose from white, purple, or even green varieties to add color to our garden and plates.
6. Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is a great choice for fall gardens. We can plant it in late summer for an autumn harvest. It’s easy to grow and tolerates cooler temperatures well. To start, we sow seeds about half an inch deep. We space them 2 to 6 inches apart in rows. We can plant baby greens closer together.
Swiss chard needs well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. We keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. The plants prefer full sun but can handle some shade.
We can begin harvesting when the plants are 6 to 8 inches tall. We cut the outer leaves about 1.5 inches above the ground. With regular harvesting, Swiss chard will keep producing throughout the fall.
7. Radishes
Radishes are fast-growing vegetables perfect for fall gardens. We can sow seeds directly in the soil about 1/2 inch deep. It’s best to space them 1 inch apart in rows 12 inches apart.
Radishes thrive in cool, loose soil with at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. They grow quickly, making them ideal for planting between other vegetables.
For a continuous harvest, we can plant new seeds every 10-12 days. Radishes come in various sizes and colors, from small red ones to long white daikon varieties. Water thoroughly after planting to ensure the soil is moist and 6 inches deep. We’ll have crisp, flavorful radishes with proper care in no time.
8. Arugula
Arugula is a fast-growing leafy green perfect for fall gardens. We can plant it as soon as the summer heat starts to fade.
To grow arugula, we sow seeds about 1/4 inch deep in rows 10 inches apart. We space the seeds 1 inch apart within the rows. Arugula likes cool weather and can handle some shade. We can plant it in our garden in full sun or partial shade.
This versatile green grows quickly. We can harvest the leaves when they’re young for a milder flavor, or let them mature for a stronger taste.
9. Beets
Beets are a great choice for fall gardens. We can plant them in late summer for a tasty autumn harvest. They grow well in cooler temperatures and can even survive light frosts.
Beets are easy to grow and don’t need much space. We can plant them directly in the garden about 4-6 weeks before the first expected frost. They prefer well-drained soil and full sun.
Beets’ roots and leaves are edible. Young leaves can be harvested for salads while waiting for the roots to mature. Beets are versatile in the kitchen and packed with nutrients.
10. Turnips
Turnips are a great addition to any fall garden. We can plant them in late summer or early fall, about 6-8 weeks before the first expected frost.
These root vegetables thrive in full sun and cooler temperatures between 40° and 75°F. We should prepare the soil by loosening it to a depth of 12 to 15 inches and mixing it in some aged manure or compost.
When planting, we space the seeds 1-2 inches apart in rows 18 to 30 inches apart. After they sprout, we thin the seedlings to leave 3-6 inches between plants.
Turnips need regular watering, about an inch per week. We can harvest them when they reach 2-3 inches wide. With proper care, turnips can provide a tasty harvest in the cooler months.
11. Garlic
Garlic is a fantastic fall crop to plant in our gardens. We can plant cloves from September to November before hard frosts arrive.
This hardy plant thrives in cool weather and needs temperatures between 32-50°F to establish roots. Garlic survives harsh winters, making it ideal for many climates.
Growing our own garlic offers better flavor than store-bought options. We can explore different varieties for unique colors, sizes, and tastes.
Garlic doesn’t need much space and has few pest problems. The low-maintenance crop rewards us with a delicious harvest the following summer.
12. Leeks
Leeks are a tasty addition to fall gardens. We can plant them now for a late autumn or winter harvest. They’re hardy and can withstand cold temperatures. To grow leeks, we start by sowing seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost date. Once seedlings reach 3-4 inches tall, we transplant them outdoors.
We plant leeks 4-6 inches apart in rows. To get the prized white stems, we can use the trenching method. This involves digging a 6-inch deep trench and gradually filling it as the leeks grow.
Leeks need regular watering and rich soil. We can harvest them when they reach about an inch in diameter. They’re great in soups, stews, and roasted dishes.
13. Shallots
Shallots are an excellent fall vegetable to add to your garden. We recommend planting them in early autumn for a spring harvest. To get started, prepare your soil by loosening it to about 6 inches deep. Shallots prefer neutral soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Plant shallot sets or transplants 4-6 inches apart in rows spaced 12 inches apart. Bury them about 2 inches deep, leaving just the tip above the soil.
Water thoroughly after planting. Shallots need about 1 inch of water per week. Mulching can help insulate the plants once the ground freezes. You’ll enjoy a delicious crop of homegrown shallots with proper care come spring.
