What to plant, when to plant it, and how to keep the harvest going strong as the weather cools down.
If you’re anything like me, the crisp smell of fall in the air gets you just as excited for planting as spring ever did. Sure, summer might get all the glory with its tomatoes and watermelons, but fall? Fall is the real unsung hero of the garden season. It’s cooler, quieter, and somehow feels more intentional. The bugs slow down, the weeds take a breather, and you can finally garden without sweating buckets.
So if you’re ready to dig in (literally), here’s your friendly guide to planting a productive and beautiful fall garden—even if you’re starting a bit late.
Why Plant a Fall Garden?
Because the growing season isn’t over when summer ends! In fact, for a lot of us, fall is the second chance we didn’t know we needed. Here’s why fall gardening is worth the effort:
- Cool weather crops thrive (no bolting lettuce here)
- Fewer pests and diseases—bye, squash bugs
- Less watering needed thanks to cooler temps and more rain
- Some crops taste sweeter after a frost (hello, carrots and kale!)
- It extends your harvest season by weeks—or even months
Plus, there’s just something magical about walking out in October and picking a head of fresh broccoli or snipping herbs for Thanksgiving dinner. That’s the dream, right?
Know Your Frost Date First
Before you start planting, figure out your first average frost date. This is your countdown clock. Most fall veggies need to mature before the first hard frost, so count backward from that date to see what you still have time for.
🧤 Pro tip: Use seed packets to check “days to maturity.” If you’ve got 50 days until frost and your lettuce takes 45? You’re golden.
What to Plant in a Fall Garden
Here’s a breakdown of what does well in the fall, grouped by category:
Fast-Growing Greens (Ready in 25–45 days)
Perfect for late summer planting and fast turnaround.
- Lettuce (romaine, butterhead, oakleaf)
- Spinach
- Arugula
- Swiss chard
- Kale
- Mustard greens
- Mizuna
🧺 Sow every week or two for continuous harvests right up to frost.
🥕 Root Veggies (30–70 days depending on the type)
Great for fall planting—many actually get sweeter after a light frost.
- Carrots
- Beets
- Radishes (including daikon)
- Turnips
- Rutabaga
- Parsnips
Tip: Loosen the soil deep and keep it moist for best root growth.
🥦 Cool-Season Brassicas (50–90 days)
Start these from seed indoors or buy starts if you’re short on time.
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Brussels sprouts
- Kohlrabi
These need a bit more time but love cool weather and taste amazing after a nip of frost.
🧅 Alliums & Perennials
- Garlic (plant in late fall for next summer’s harvest)
- Onion sets (especially overwintering types)
- Shallots
Garlic is basically the set-it-and-forget-it MVP of fall planting.
When to Plant (By Region)
Northern Zones (3–5)
- Start seeds indoors by mid-July to transplant in August
- Direct seed quick crops like radishes and lettuce through early September
- Garlic goes in around mid-October
Mid Zones (6–7)
- You’ve got until mid-September for fast-growing greens
- Plant brassicas outdoors in late August
- Garlic and onions go in October
Southern Zones (8–10)
- Your fall garden might just be your best garden
- Direct sow greens, root crops, and herbs from September through November
- Garlic can go in as late as December
Tips for a Thriving Fall Garden
Start Seeds in the Shade
Fall sun is hot, even if the air feels cool. If you’re starting seeds outdoors in late summer, give them a little shade until they sprout.
Water Deeply, Not Constantly
The sun’s not drying things out as fast now, so water deeply once or twice a week instead of every day.
Mulch Like You Mean It
Fall is the time to pile on the mulch. It keeps roots warm, conserves moisture, and helps prevent soil compaction.
Don’t Skip Succession Planting
Replant every 1–2 weeks for crops like radishes, greens, and lettuce. That way you’ll always have something coming in.
What About Cover Crops?
If you’ve got beds you won’t be using, fall is also a great time to sow a cover crop to improve your soil.
Try:
- Winter rye
- Crimson clover
- Field peas
- Hairy vetch
They’ll fix nitrogen, protect the soil from erosion, and feed your worms over winter. Just mow them down and turn them in next spring.
Bonus: Extend the Season with Row Covers
Want to keep the harvest going even after frost hits? Grab some row cover or frost cloth and toss it over hoops or low tunnels. You can even make a quick cold frame from an old window and a couple 2x4s.
Suddenly, your garden goes from “done” to “doing the most.”
Final Thoughts
Fall gardening is one of those things that feels like a secret—but it shouldn’t be. Once you get a taste of fresh fall carrots or harvest kale after a frosty morning, you’ll wonder why you didn’t plant sooner. It’s peaceful, it’s productive, and it gives you a chance to soak up those golden autumn afternoons in the best way possible—hands in the dirt, heart full, pantry getting fuller.
So go on. Grab your seed packets, pour yourself a mug of something warm, and plan your fall garden. You’ll be so glad you did.
