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What to Plant in a Fall Garden

When I first started gardening, the idea of trying to garden in the fall seemed daunting. For some reason, my summer garden seemed like an easier garden to plan and care for, most likely because it is the most popular type of garden for people to keep. Yet, you can really grow so much longer into the year, past the point of your tomato plants shriveling up!

Like me, you might think there is no way that plants can actually thrive through a frost or sometimes even a snow. But so many fall vegetables taste improves after they have been through a colder season.

Let’s geek out together about what to plant in a fall garden this year!

Why should you Garden in the fall?

Fall gardening offers numerous benefits, including a continuous supply of fresh, nutrient-rich vegetables like kale, spinach, and broccoli, which are packed with vitamins and minerals to boost immune health and protect against winter illnesses.

Gardening also promotes physical activity that can reduce your daily stress and improve your mood. The time spent outside connecting with your garden in nature also helps your body’s Vitamin D levels which is connected to immune and mental health! As someone who used to battle with Seasonal Affective Disorder, I think so many of us can benefit from a connection to our gardens and nature as the days get shorter and colder.

Embracing fall gardening can lead to better health, both physically and emotionally, while ensuring a nutritious diet throughout the colder months.

Benefits of fall gardening

Extended Harvest: Fall gardening allows you to extend your vegetable garden growing season and enjoy a fresh fall harvest well into the cooler months. Many plants, such as leafy greens and root vegetables, thrive in the cooler temperatures of fall, ensuring a steady supply of fresh, homegrown food. These fresh autumn crops can benefit your health with minerals and vitamins that give you a little boost in the cooler months.

Cooler Temperatures: One of my favorite parts of having a fall garden is the cooler temperatures! I am an october baby, and autumn is my happy place!! During the summer gardening season, it can be a struggle to keep plants alive in the scorching heat, but this isn’t a problem for autumn gardens.

Many cool-season crops, such as kale, broccoli, and carrots, prefer lower temperatures and can tolerate light frosts, which actually enhance their flavor and sweetness. Additionally, cooler weather reduces the risk of heat stress on plants, allowing them to grow more vigorously. For gardeners, working in your fall garden is more enjoyable as the intense heat of summer has passed. I know I love not sweating while tending to my vegetables!

Fewer Pests: Pests can be a major challenge during the summer growing season, but fall gardening typically experiences fewer pest problems. After battling with squash bugs, squash borers, and spider mites during the summer, this is a welcome break for me!

Many common garden pests, such as aphids, beetles, and caterpillars, are less active or have completed their life cycles by the time fall arrives. This natural reduction in pest pressure means less damage to your plants and fewer pest control measures needed. The cooler temperatures can also help suppress disease development, leading to healthier plants overall.

Preparing Your Garden and Soil for a Fall Garden

Assess your growing space and soil condition. Healthy soil is the key to a successful and thriving garden, no matter what season you are gardening in. Adding organic materials can benefit soil health regardless of your soil type. Here are some tips to get your garden ready for the fall growing season.

Building Healthy Soil

Healthy soil is the foundation of a thriving garden, and it’s important to maintain the balance of the soil’s microbiome while preparing for fall planting. The microbiome, consisting of beneficial bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms, plays a crucial role in nutrient cycling, disease suppression, and overall plant health. To support this vital ecosystem, avoid using synthetic fertilizers and pesticides that can disrupt the natural balance.

At Dragon’s Hearth Homestead, we do not rototill or till organic amendments into our soil. Tilling damages the humus, fungal networks, and beneficial organisms like earthworms. Instead, we use a No-Till Method to add organic amendments to the soil!

Amending Soil with Compost and Organic Matter

One of the best ways to improve soil health is by amending it with compost and organic matter. Compost adds essential nutrients, improves soil structure, and enhances moisture retention, creating an ideal environment for plant roots. Spread a generous layer of compost over your garden beds and work it into the top few inches of soil. Additionally, adding organic matter such as aged manure, leaf mold, or cover crops can further enrich the soil and promote a thriving microbiome.

An Important Sidenote on Biosolids

I am particularly passionate about educating others on the dangers of using biosolids and PFAS. You need to be incredibly mindful about using outside sources for compost. Products and manufactured compost that you might pick up at a big box store or garden center could contain harmful biosolids, which are human waste from wastewater and sewer treatment plants.

Current research has shown how dangerous it is to use biosolids, which introduce persistent organic compounds like pharmaceuticals, microplastics, and PFAS into the soil. These pollutants, known for their persistence (Which is why they have been nicknamed “Forever Chemicals”) and potential to contaminate ground and surface water, can be absorbed by plants, leading to food source contamination. PFAS, in particular, are alarming due to their long half-life and ability to move through the soil profile, eventually reaching groundwater. Education on Biosolids is crucial for farmers and gardeners to know, as avoiding biosolids can prevent these harmful substances from entering the food chain, thereby protecting human health and the environment.

Learn more about biosolids’ damaging effects on our environment and bodies here.

Planning the Layout of Your Garden Beds

Careful planning of your garden bed layout is essential for maximizing space and ensuring optimal growing conditions for your fall crops. Consider the specific needs of each plant, such as sunlight, spacing, and companion planting. Group plants with similar requirements together to streamline care and improve overall garden health. Rotate crops from previous seasons to prevent soil depletion and reduce the risk of pests and diseases.

When planning your garden beds, also think about access paths for easy maintenance and harvesting. Raised beds can be particularly beneficial for fall gardening, as they provide better drainage and can be filled with high-quality soil and organic matter. This approach ensures that your plants have the best possible environment to grow and thrive.

By focusing on building healthy soil without harming the soil’s microbiome, amending with compost and organic matter, and carefully planning the layout of your garden beds, you set the stage for a successful fall garden. These practices not only support robust plant growth but also contribute to the long-term health and sustainability of your garden ecosystem. If you want to learn more about building healthy soil and protecting the soil microbiome, check out the Free Online Permaculture Course to learn how to integrate a permaculture system into your garden!

So what should you plant in your fall Garden?

Okay, so fall gardening sounds interesting, but what exactly can survive in the fall? Let’s talk about the beautiful fall veggies and herbs that you can grow in your fall garden this year!

Leafy Greens

Colorful, beautiful, leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, kale, and Swiss chard will have you wondering why you didn’t start a fall vegetable garden sooner. Plus, growing your own greens allows you to enjoy a much wider variety compared to what’s available at the grocery store.

With a fall garden, you can grow different types of lettuce, from crisp romaine to delicate butterhead, and enjoy spinach that thrives in cooler temperatures. Kale comes in several varieties like curly, dinosaur, and Russian, each offering unique flavors and nutritional benefits. Swiss chard, with its colorful stems and hearty leaves, adds both beauty and substance to your meals.

Freshly harvested greens from your garden taste far superior to store-bought options and you can grow heirloom and specialty varieties not found in stores. Plus, gardening is a rewarding and therapeutic activity for your health that encourages you to spend time outdoors and connect with nature.

Root Vegetable Crops

Fall is an excellent time to plant root vegetables, which thrive in cooler temperatures and develop rich, sweet flavors as the weather cools. Adding these vegetables to your fall garden ensures a hearty and nutritious harvest.

Carrots are a fall garden favorite, known for their crisp texture and sweet flavor. Cooler temperatures enhance their sweetness, making fall-grown carrots particularly delicious. Plant them in well-drained soil and ensure they receive consistent moisture for optimal growth.

Beets are another excellent choice for fall gardening. They thrive in cool weather and can be harvested both for their roots and their nutritious greens. Beets are versatile in the kitchen, perfect for roasting, pickling, or adding to salads.

Radishes grow quickly and are ideal for fall planting. They mature in just a few weeks, providing a fast and easy harvest. Their crisp, peppery flavor adds a refreshing bite to salads and other dishes. Plus, they can be planted multiple times throughout the fall for a continuous supply.

Turnips are hardy root vegetables that do well in the fall. Both the roots and the greens are edible, offering double the value from a single plant. Turnips are excellent roasted, mashed, or added to soups and stews.

Parsnips are similar to carrots but with a sweeter, nuttier flavor that develops best after a frost. They require a longer growing season, so planting them in early fall ensures they have enough time to mature. Parsnips are perfect for roasting or adding to hearty winter soups. Rutabagas, also known as swedes, are a cross between turnips and cabbage. They thrive in cool weather and develop a sweet, earthy flavor. Rutabagas are great for mashing, roasting, or adding to stews.

Brassica Vegetable Crops

Brassica crops like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage are perfect vegetables to plant in your fall vegetable garden.

Broccoli is a nutrient powerhouse, rich in vitamins C and K. It thrives in cooler fall temperatures and produces tender, flavorful heads.

With its mild taste and versatile culinary uses, Cauliflower is another excellent addition. Whether roasted, steamed, or turned into cauliflower rice, it adds a healthy boost to your meals.

Brussels sprouts develop their best flavor after a light frost, making fall the ideal time to grow them. They are delicious roasted or sautéed and packed with vitamins and fiber.

Cabbage, available in varieties like green, red, and Savoy, is perfect for making salads, slaws, and fermented dishes like sauerkraut. It’s a hardy vegetable that stores well, providing fresh produce long into the winter. One of my first urban farm goals was to grow my own cabbage and ferment it into sauerkraut! It is such a great feeling to take vegetables you grew from a seed and turn them into a product that is great for your health!

Herbs for Fall Gardening

Growing herbs in your fall garden can add fresh flavors to your vegetables and meals. Parsley, cilantro, chives, and sage are not always fans of a hot summer garden but thrive in the fall, making them perfect additions to your autumn garden.

With its rich green leaves packed with vitamins A, C, and K, Parsley enhances a wide range of dishes and can be harvested throughout the fall, withstanding light frosts.

Cilantro, known for its fresh, citrusy flavor, is a staple in many cuisines, including some of our absolute favorites, Mexican, Indian, and Thai. Cilantro prefers cooler temperatures, making fall a great time to for your Cilantro.

Chives, with their mild onion flavor, complement a variety of dishes and grow well in the fall. They are rich in vitamins A and C, adding both flavor and nutrition to your meals.

Sage, one of my most favorite herbs to grow, is a robust herb with an earthy, slightly peppery flavor, is essential in many fall and winter dishes like stuffing and roasted meats. I always look forward to using our homegrown sage on our Friendsgiving turkey and mashed potatoes! Sage thrives in cooler weather and can withstand light frosts, making it an excellent choice for your fall garden. Adding these herbs to your fall garden ensures a fresh supply of flavorful and nutritious produce, enhancing your culinary creations throughout the season. You can also use this plant in tinctures to help dry out wet coughs in the fall and winter!

Sage is a perennial herb! Learn more about growing perennial herbs by reading our blog post A Dragon’s Guide To Perennial Herbs.

Planning Ahead: Other Plants for Your Fall Garden

Peas, garlic, onions, and leeks are excellent choices for fall planting, each bringing unique benefits to your garden.

Peas are a great addition to your fall garden as they thrive in cooler temperatures and can provide a sweet, fresh harvest. Garlic is another essential fall planting, as it requires a long growing season and will be ready for harvest the following year. You have to plant garlic in the fall so it has enough time to develop robust bulbs.

Whether grown from bulbs or sets, onions, like garlic, benefit from fall planting because they establish themselves over the winter and produce larger bulbs in the spring.

Similarly, leeks are a hardy vegetable that thrives in cooler weather, developing a mild, sweet flavor as they grow. If you plant your leeks in the fall, you can harvest them in spring and early summer.

When to Start Your Fall Garden Seeds

Timing is pretty important when it comes to planning when to start your fall garden seeds. Knowing when to start seeds ensures that your plants have enough time to mature and produce a harvest before too cold of weather sets in. Here are some key considerations for planning your fall planting schedule.

Understanding Frost Dates:

The first step in planning your fall garden is to understand your region’s average first frost date. This date is crucial because it determines the window of time you have for growing fall crops. I use the Farmer’s Almanac’s Frost Date Calculator to find out my area’s first and last frost date. Once you know your first frost date, count backwards to determine when to start your seeds. Most fall crops need about 8-10 weeks of growth before the first expected frost.

Cool-Season Vegetables

Cool-season vegetables, such as leafy greens, root vegetables, and brassicas, thrive in the cooler temperatures of fall. These plants generally do well when started in late summer. For example, leafy greens like lettuce and spinach can be started 6 to 8 weeks before the first frost. Root vegetables like carrots and radishes should also be planted around the same time to ensure they have enough time to mature. Brassicas like broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts may need a bit more time and should be started 8 to 10 weeks before the first frost.

Starting Seeds Indoors

For a head start on the growing season, consider starting your fall vegetable seeds indoors. This method allows you to control the growing environment and gives your plants a stronger start. Read our blog post about the Benefits of Starting Seeds Indoors. Sow seeds in seed trays or pots using a high-quality seed starting mix. Keep the soil moist and provide plenty of light, either from a sunny window or grow lights. Transplant the seedlings into your garden beds once they are strong enough and the outdoor conditions are suitable. Prevent making common mistakes when starting seeds by reading our blog post, 8 Seed Starting Mistakes And How To Avoid Them.

Direct Sowing

Some fall crops can be directly sown into the garden. Crops like radishes, carrots, and peas do not like to be transplanted and do well with direct sowing. Prepare your garden beds by amending the soil with compost and organic matter, then plant the seeds according to the recommended depth and spacing on the seed packet. Keep the soil consistently moist until the seeds germinate and the seedlings establish themselves.

Succession Planting

To extend your harvest and prevent a boom of all your veggie crop at once, consider succession planting. This involves planting seeds at staggered intervals to ensure a continuous supply of fresh vegetables. For example, sowing a new batch of lettuce or spinach every two weeks can provide a steady, continual harvest throughout the fall season.

By understanding frost dates, choosing the right crops, and using methods like indoor starting and direct sowing, you can effectively plan when to start your fall vegetable crop seeds. This careful timing ensures that your garden is productive and that you enjoy a sucessful fall harvest.

Start your fall garden this year!

Fall gardening offers a unique opportunity to extend your growing season and enjoy fresh, nutritious produce well into the cooler months. By understanding what to plant in a fall garden and how to prepare your soil and garden beds, you can ensure a bountiful harvest and maintain the health of your garden ecosystem.

From colorful, nutrient-rich leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, kale, and Swiss chard to robust brassicas such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage, fall is the perfect time to grow a beautiful harvest of vegetables. Don’t forget the versatile herbs like parsley, cilantro, chives, and sage that not only enhance your meals but also thrive in cooler weather.

Root vegetables, including carrots, beets, radishes, turnips, parsnips, and rutabagas, are excellent choices for fall planting. Their ability to develop rich, sweet flavors in cool temperatures makes them a rewarding addition to your fall garden. Additionally, planning ahead with peas, garlic, onions, and leeks can set the stage for a productive garden in the next growing season.

Preparing your garden and soil for fall involves building healthy soil without harming the soil’s microbiome. Amending soil with compost and organic matter, along with careful planning of your garden bed layout, ensures optimal growing conditions for your plants. Understanding when to start your fall vegetable crop seeds, whether indoors or through direct sowing, is crucial for timing your harvest before the first frost.

By incorporating these practices and selecting the right plants, you can enjoy the numerous benefits of fall gardening. Not only will you have a continuous supply of fresh, home-grown produce packed with essential vitamins and minerals, but the act of gardening itself promotes physical, emotional, and immune health. Embrace the fall gardening season and discover the joys and rewards it brings to your garden and your well-being.

Additional Resources for Planting a Fall Garden

8 Seed Starting Mistakes And How To Avoid Them
The Benefits Of Starting Seeds Indoors

Seed Companies for Fall Garden Seeds
Botanical Interests Seeds
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
MIGardener Seeds

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Jenni Sekine

Mother of Dragons

Hey there! I'm Jenni, a homeschooling, home birthing, and home growing mama of four little dragons, and I run Dragon's Hearth Homestead with my husband, Bryan Sekine. We are all about teaching others about the things we are passionate about. Come learn with us!

🌿 home grown 🌿 🍁 homeschool 🍁 🐓 home raised 🐇 🚗 travel ✈️

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