Fall Gardening – Top Questions and the Answers

by Erin Marissa Russell

Got questions about gardening in the fall? We’ve got answers for you. These are some of the most common questions we hear about fall gardening, along with the answers!

There’s no reason for gardening to be a hobby that’s limited to the spring and summer. There are plenty of vegetables, flowers, and more you can plant in September, October, and November. Read on to learn more about how to keep your garden going strong through the fall months.

What vegetables can be planted in the fall?

Plenty of vegetables are suited for the fall garden, with planting dates that run from late summer through fall itself. Read below for the details on growing arugula, beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, collards, garlic, kale, mustard greens, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, and Swiss chard. Or this chart from Farmer’s Almanac (PDF) can show you planting dates for fall crops.

Fall Vegetables You Can Grow

Arugula: Plant up to eight weeks before your first expected frost date. You can plant in succession every two weeks for a consistent harvest. Learn more.

Beets: Plant seeds 10-12 weeks before the first expected frost, or use transplants to buy some extra time. Learn more.

Broccoli: Plant from late summer until early September, or use transplants when they’re available. Learn more.

Brussels Sprouts: Plant when temperatures are around 75 to 80 degrees for some of the toughest plants in the fall garden. Learn more.

Cabbage: Plant directly in the garden in late summer or early fall. Learn more.

Carrots: Sow 10 weeks before the first frost in your area or earlier. Learn more. Learn more.

Cauliflower: Transplant seedlings in late summer or early fall. Depending on your climate, you may not want to plant after the middle of August, as cauliflower is sensitive to frost. Learn more.

Collards: Add transplants any time in fall or summer, or plant throughout these seasons. Learn more.

Garlic: For a midsummer harvest, plant cloves about two inches deep in the fall. Learn more.

Kale: Plant kale in the ground or in containers in the late summer and early fall. Transplants can be added to the garden throughout these seasons. Learn more.

Mustard Greens: Sow directly into the ground in late summer or early fall, or add transplants to your garden whenever they’re available. Learn more.

Kohlrabi: Sow up to a month prior to your first expected frost. Kohlrabi will grow throughout the winter and can be stored in the ground. Learn more.

Lettuce: Direct sow eight weeks prior to the first expected frost in your area. You can sow every two weeks to keep lettuce growing all season long. Learn more.

Onions: You can plant onions in the fall and let them grow over the winter to produce bulbs the next spring. Learn more.

Peas: Plant from late summer to early fall, and make sure to give these vertical growers something to climb on. Learn more.

Radishes: Plant throughout the fall for harvestable radishes in 30 days. Learn more.

Spinach: Direct sow in early fall for growth throughout the season. Learn more.

Swiss Chard: Sow 10 weeks prior to first expected frost. Transplants can be added to the garden throughout the spring and fall. Learn more.

What do you plant in the fall?

There are more options than vegetables for fall gardeners. In addition to those cool-season vegetables, you can grow turfgrass, perennials, pansies,  trees, and shrubs, or plant bulbs that will bloom in the spring. Bulbs to choose from include daffodil, dog’s tooth violet, fritillaria, glory of the snow, grape hyacinth, siberian squill, and snowdrop. Chrysanthemums are known for blooming in the fall, but it’s not the right time to plant them.

When should I plant fall vegetables?

The best time for planting depends on the area where you live and what you plan to grow. Consult the instructions for your seeds or plants as well as the expected first frost date in your area to help you estimate.

Learn more about fall gardening options with these articles at:

Better Homes and Gardens
Good Housekeeping
Mother Earth News