Start a Fall Vegetable Garden

Fall is a great time to start a garden. There’s cooler weather, fewer pests, and less watering required. But what exactly can you grow? And what else should you know in order to reap a successful harvest?

To help you get started on the right foot, we’ll cover key considerations and highlight the best vegetables to grow this autumn.

Getting Started With Your Vegetable Garden

These are the factors to consider before you get your garden going.

Timing

Timing is everything, and there are no exceptions when it comes to gardening. While the usual time to start planting veggies for a fall harvest is mid-to-late summer, there are crops you can grow in early autumn.

The foremost thing to know is the first fall frost date, which is determined based on your location. The Farmer’s Almanac is one of the best resources to find this date. Simply enter your zip code or city and state, and it will give you an estimate of the first fall frost in your area.

It’s also important to know the days to maturity needed for your specific crop to grow. For example: Most varieties of lettuce take about 45–55 days to mature. If you live in Sacramento, California, the first fall frost date typically lands on or near November 26. You’d count backward from that day to discover when to plant your lettuce.

However, plants grow slower during fall since sunlight isn’t as strong as it is during the summer. It’s recommended to add a week or two to your growing time. From the example above, it would be better to plant your lettuce somewhere between September 28 and October 5.

Location

Most veggies grow best in full sun for at least six hours a day. However, several fall-season crops, such as cabbage and radishes, can grow in partial shade. Pick an open space in your yard that gets plenty of light but minimal wind. You don’t want your seedlings to topple over on a blustery fall day.

Plot and Container Size

Once you find a spot to plant your veggies, measure your plot of land. Doing this allows you to figure out how many seed packets or plants you’ll need to purchase. If you’re new to gardening, it’s best to start small—even when there’s room to plant more veggies. You don’t want to get overwhelmed by a big garden.

If you grow your vegetables in containers, choose wide and deep receptacles to give plants space to thrive from shoots to roots. Many crops that grow underground—like beets and carrots—need extra room to allow their roots to grow and expand. If you’re going to plant lettuce, broccoli, or other crops that grow above soil, you can get away with using shallow containers.

Soil

No matter where your garden grows, your crops need good soil for a healthy harvest. A loose, well-draining potting soil is an excellent choice because water won’t hang around the roots, eliminating the possibility of rot.

Plant Vegetables That Fit Your Lifestyle

Follow these tips to pick produce that meets your needs.

1. Choose Foods Your Family Likes to Eat

If you’re planting veggies for yourself, you can choose whatever you want. But when there are kids and partners involved, you need to consider their personal preferences. Also, don’t plant vegetables simply because they’re easy to grow. Radishes may mature quickly, but if your family doesn’t like them, they’ll go to waste.

2. Consider What’s Available at Your Grocery Store

Certain cool-weather vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower require extra care and attention. If you’re a beginner or short on time, you might be better off buying them at a grocery store. Instead, plant easy-to-grow crops like lettuce, which usually tastes better home-grown anyway.

3. Pick Vegetables for Preserving

Brussels sprouts and cauliflower freeze well, while others like carrots and beets are better when canned. If you’d like to preserve your harvest, you’ll need to plant enough vegetables for both fresh eating and storage. This may take a couple of years to find the right balance. It’s okay if you overplant; you can always give your extra vegetables to friends and family.

4. Consider Your Local Climate

Before you plant anything, you need to know if the veggies you want grow well in your region and climate. The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is a helpful tool for gardeners. The USDA classifies plants by the coldest temperature they can withstand. The map divides the U.S. into 11 separate regions based on the average annual minimum winter temperature. Just remember that this map isn’t foolproof. Sunlight, wind conditions, and soil types can all affect a plant’s growth and survival.

Microclimates are another thing to consider. A microclimate is a climate within a small space that differs from the surrounding areas. For example, dense surfaces and objects such as boulders, sidewalks, and driveways absorb sunlight during the day and slowly release heat at night, warming the ground around them. If your garden is near these objects, you might be able to extend its growing season.

Vegetables That Grow Well in Fall

There are plenty of vegetables that thrive in cool climates. Some crops can even tolerate light frost. However, planting for a fall harvest means getting your plants in the ground in August and September. If you live in a warmer climate, though, you can get away with planting crops in early to mid-fall. Here are some veggies you should consider growing in your garden.

Kale

Kale is nutritious and thrives in cooler climates. In fact, kale boasts a frost tolerance of about 15°F. There are also many varieties to choose from, such as curly kale, red Russian kale, and lacinato kale—aka dinosaur kale. If your kids are reluctant to test this vegetable, try baking kale chips or adding some to a smoothie with peanut butter and bananas.

Broccoli

Broccoli prefers cooler weather to form its tight, delicious crowns. However, it’s sensitive to frost, so make sure you cover your plants if you live in colder regions. It’s best to sow broccoli seeds directly into the ground during late summer. This allows plenty of time for them to grow properly.

Lettuce

If you’re looking for an easy veggie to grow this fall, lettuce is your best bet. It’s a fast-growing green that flourishes in cool weather, whether you use seeds or transplants. Plus, lettuce can survive through winter, as long as you cover it.

Carrots

Carrots are versatile vegetables. You can toss them in an autumn salad, roast them as a side dish, or throw them in a soup for a chilly day. The seeds are tiny and delicate, so make sure to sow them as evenly as possible. If you want a fall harvest, plant seeds no later than 10 weeks before the first frost date.

Cauliflower

Like broccoli, cauliflower thrives in cool temperatures, but it needs to be covered because it’s sensitive to frost. Also, sow your cauliflower seeds or transplants about 18–24 inches apart to allow them to grow correctly.

Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are as hardy as they come. They grow well in cooler climates and can even handle a frost or two. As the sprouts mature, you want to pull off the yellowing lower leaves. Also, don’t wait to harvest the whole stalk. Pick the sprouts at their peak maturity.

Beets

Beets are earthy, sweet, and easy to grow. While deep red is the standard color, several colorful varieties exist, such as golden yellow and white. To help speed up the germination process, soak the seeds overnight in water before planting.

Radishes

Radishes are easily one of the fastest-growing vegetables. Once you sow the seeds, it can take less than a month for radishes to fully mature.