Plant These for a Fall Garden
As summer winds down, many gardeners think the growing season is over. But here’s a little secret: fall is actually one of the best times to plant a garden, and it’s actually my favourite time of the year to grow! Cooler weather, fewer pests, and a second harvest for my favourite crops makes fall a very rewarding and productive gardening experience. Adding a few fall crops to your raised beds or backyard garden is a simple way to extend the season and enjoy fresh food right up to (and sometimes beyond) the first frost. Here’s a selection of starter plants to grow in your fall garden!
A little note, my first frost date is early November. Check your first frost dates for planting timelines. I plant everything below in my garden mid to the end of August.
1. Lettuce
Lettuce (by seed or starter) thrives in cooler weather, making it a perfect fall crop. I plant cut and come again varieties. Harvest a few leaves at a time, and the plant will keep producing.
Tip: Protect with row covers if temperatures dip suddenly to help extend your harvest.
2. Spinach
Spinach (by seed) loves short, cool days and truthfully, has its best flavour when grown in the fall. Spinach is also packed with nutrients and grows quickly! If it gets too cold, young spinach plants often survive under a light mulch and can provide an early spring harvest, depending on your grow zone.
3. Kale
Kale (starter plant) is one of the hardiest greens you can grow in your garden. In fact, its flavour often improves after a frost, turning sweeter and less bitter! You can overwinter too if your winters are mild.
4. Radishes
If you want a quick win in the garden, radishes are your winner (plant by seed). They mature in as little as 25-30 days, making them perfect for impatient gardeners. Sow seeds directly in the soil and enjoy crunchy, peppery roots by the time many other fall vegetables are just getting started.
Bonus: Radish greens are edible too! They are perfect for sautés or pestos.
5. Carrots
Carrots take longer to fully mature (choose varieties that mature within 80 days), but fall is a great time to plant them. The cool weather helps develop their natural sweetness, and with a little mulch or fresh compost rich soil, they can stay in the ground until you’re ready to harvest & enjoy after your first frost date.
6. Beets
Beets (plant by seed) are a two-for-one crop since you can harvest both the roots and the tender greens. They don’t mind the cool weather, and similarly to carrots, they taste sweeter after a light frost! Cover after you plant as birds love to eat the seedlings.
7. Broccoli
If you’re ready to try something a little more advanced, broccoli is a very rewarding fall crop (plant a starter plant). Broccoli thrives in cool weather, and fall-grown heads are often more flavourful than those grown in spring.
8. Garlic (for next year’s harvest!)
While you won’t harvest garlic in the fall, it’s one of the most important crops to plant at this time of year. Plant garlic cloves in mid to late fall before the ground freezes (I plant in October!). They’ll overwinter in the soil, and be ready for harvest by early to mid-summer the following year!
A fall garden not only extends your growing and harvest season, but also sets the stage for a more productive garden next year. Plants like kale can overwinter and grow large early spring. By choosing cool-weather crops like lettuce, spinach, kale, and root vegetables, you’ll enjoy crisp greens and sweet, hearty flavours right from your backyard! Your fall garden can keep your kitchen stocked with fresh, homegrown food long after summer has ended.
