As summer winds down and the days start to shorten, it might feel like the gardening season is coming to an end—but don’t put your tools away just yet! Fall is actually one of the most important times of the year for gardeners. With the right planning, you can plant crops that thrive in cooler weather, improve your soil over the winter, and even get a head start on spring.

Preparing your garden before the first frost ensures that you make the most of the season’s final weeks while setting yourself up for success in the months ahead. Whether you’re growing vegetables, flowers, or cover crops, here’s everything you need to know about what to plant—and how—before the first frost hits.

Know Your Frost Dates First

Before you plant anything, find out the average first frost date for your region. This date marks when temperatures are expected to drop to 32°F (0°C) for the first time in fall, which can kill many tender plants.

You can check frost dates through:

• Local extension services
• Gardening apps or websites
• USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

Once you know how many weeks you have left, you can choose crops that will mature in time—or that can survive the cold.

Cool-Season Vegetables to Plant Before Frost

Some vegetables actually prefer cooler weather and can thrive even when nights are chilly. Here are top picks for planting in late summer to early fall:

Leafy Greens

• Spinach: Cold-hardy and fast-growing. Can survive light frost and even overwinter in milder climates.
• Kale: Gets sweeter after frost. Choose dwarf or Russian varieties for fast growth.
• Lettuce: Especially loose-leaf types. Plant every couple of weeks for a steady harvest.
• Swiss chard: Tolerates light frost and offers beautiful color as well as nutrition.

Brassicas (Cabbage Family)

• Broccoli: Choose quick-maturing varieties if frost is near.
• Cauliflower: Sensitive to frost but will mature quickly in early fall weather.
• Cabbage: Hardy and perfect for fall. Start seedlings indoors if time is tight.
• Brussels sprouts: These are long-season plants but can be planted midsummer for fall harvests.

Root Vegetables

• Carrots: Frost enhances their sweetness.
• Beets: Great for both roots and greens.
• Radishes: One of the fastest-growing crops—some are ready in 3-4 weeks.
• Turnips: Fast-growing and frost-tolerant.

Peas

• Sugar snap and snow peas love cool weather. Plant them early enough for a fall crop, or overwinter in warmer zones.

Fall Flowers That Beat the Frost

Don’t forget about your flower beds! Certain blooms can be sown in late summer or early fall for color before and even after the first frost.

Fall Annuals

• Pansies and Violas: Can handle frost and even bloom into early winter.
• Calendula: Tolerates cold and adds cheerful color to fall beds.
• Snapdragons: Can be sown in late summer for autumn blooms.
• Ornamental Kale and Cabbage: Stunning foliage that withstands cold.

Perennials to Plant Now for Next Year

Fall is also a great time to plant perennials—the cooler temps allow roots to establish before winter.

• Coneflowers
• Black-eyed Susans
• Hostas
• Daylilies
• Peonies

Plant these about 6 weeks before your ground freezes for best results.

Planting Garlic and Onions for Spring Harvest

If you want an early harvest next spring, fall is the best time to plant garlic and overwintering onions.

• Garlic: Plant cloves in late fall, 2-3 weeks before the ground freezes. Cover with mulch.
• Onions: Choose “short-day” or overwintering varieties. These start growing roots in fall, go dormant in winter, and resume growth in spring.

Cover Crops: The Unsung Heroes of Fall Prep

If you’re not planting fall vegetables, consider planting a cover crop to improve soil health over winter.

Great Options:

• Winter rye: Adds organic matter and suppresses weeds.
• Clover: Fixes nitrogen into the soil.
• Vetch: Another nitrogen-fixer, good for depleted soils.
• Oats: Great for erosion control and easy to turn into the soil in spring.

These crops prevent soil erosion, add nutrients, and improve structure. Till them in before they go to seed in early spring.

Tips for Successful Fall Planting

1. Use Fresh Seeds: Cool-season crops don’t have much time, so use fresh, viable seeds for best germination.
2. Check Days to Maturity: Choose fast-growing varieties that can mature before your first hard frost.
3. Mulch Strategically: Mulch helps retain warmth and moisture and protects roots when temperatures dip.
4. Watch the Weather: Be ready to cover plants with row covers or cold frames if frost comes early.
5. Water Wisely: Even though it’s cooler, fall crops still need consistent watering to thrive.

Extend the Season with Cold Protection

Want to push the limits of your fall garden? Try these tools:

• Row covers or garden fabric: Protects against light frost.
• Cold frames: Mini greenhouses made from old windows or plastic.
• Hoop houses or low tunnels: Great for leafy greens and root vegetables.
• Mulch and straw: Insulates soil and roots, especially for garlic or perennials.

These techniques can extend your harvest by several weeks—or even into winter in some zones.

Final Thoughts

Fall gardening is about more than just winding down—it’s about planting with purpose. By using the remaining warm weeks wisely, you can harvest fresh produce well into the colder months, improve your soil for spring, and maintain a vibrant, thriving landscape.

Whether you’re growing your own food, brightening your yard with flowers, or preparing your beds for next year, a little fall garden prep goes a long way. Don’t let the first frost catch you off guard—grab your gloves, check the calendar, and get planting!