Spring may be the best time to grow many crops but the fall season can be a great time to grow various late-season greens and root vegetables too.

The crisp weather and mild climate won’t stop cold-resistant plants from growing. In many cases, even freezing temps and frost won’t affect cool-season crops’ growth! But to grow late-season crops successfully, you need to check to know what kinds of plants grow best in your region and what level of protection is necessary when the temperature drops. In this guide, we’re listing down the best late-season crops to plant during the fall season:

10 Crops to Grow in a Fall Vegetable Garden

Beets: Beets are quite tolerant of freezing temps! Plant the seeds about 8 to 10 weeks before the expected frost, and you’ll be ready to harvest before the holidays. Avoid crowding the beads in the garden; give each plant about 3 to 4 inches of space apart.&

Onions: Onions are easy to grow, and taking care of them does not require much effort. You can plant the onions 2 to 4 weeks before the average last frost date in a shallow furrow. Give each plant about 4 to 6 inches of growing space. Within a few short weeks, you’re ready to harvest.&

Asparagus: Asparagus is one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables, and it’s great to know that you can plant this crop even in the late fall season! We suggest soaking the asparagus crowns before planting them in a garden bed to speed up their growth. The garden bed should be 12 inches wide and 6 inches deep. Give the asparagus crowns about 6 inches of space apart, then top with 2 to 3 inches of soil.

Broccoli: Greens do well in late-season gardens, and broccoli is no exception. We suggest amending the soil with blood or alfalfa meals because brocs love nitrogen. By amending the soil, the brocs can survive the cold temps. Give each plant about 12 to 18 inches of space apart so they won’t crowd as they grow bigger.

Arugula: A garden salad staple, arugula is so easy to grow during the fall season. We suggest germinating the seeds in about 5 to 7 days before transplanting the seedlings into a raised bed or garden bed. Give each seedling more room to grow so their leaves can spread without being too close to one another.&

Brussels Sprouts: Easily one of the hardiest green vegetables to grow in a late-season garden, Brussels sprouts are a staple in soups and stews. Also, Brussels sprouts taste better after going through several touches of frost! Because this plant is a slow-grower, many tend to germinate the seeds first before planting in-ground. If you are starting late in the season, we suggest getting seedlings instead of growing from seed.&

Cabbage: Cabbage is easy to grow from seed, and if you’re planning for a late start, direct seed in the late summer or early fall. The seeds will germinate in less than a week. Cabbage, along with other green, leafy vegetables, thrives in cool (not cold!) climates, and you can grow different varieties in the fall season.&

Green Peas: Peas are easy to grow even when the temperature drops. This crop also adds vertical interest to a late-season garden! We suggest sowing the seeds in late summer to early fall if you’re growing late in the season. Install a structure for the creeping plant to climb on, and that’s it. Sugar snaps and snow peas make a terrific late-season crop, so start with these varieties!

Radishes: One of the fastest growing vegetables to grow late in the season is radish. Radish grown in late summer to early fall will be ready to harvest in less than a month! That’s because most radish varieties love the cool climate. There are over 200 varieties of radishes to grow, so you’re spoiled with options!

Spinach: Rounding up our list of the best crops to grow in a fall vegetable garden is spinach. Nutritious, delicious, and so easy to grow, seeds germinate in less than a week and can grow well through fall when sown in late summer to early autumn. If the winter is harsh, we suggest covering the crops with a light layer of straw to insulate and protect them from the cold winds.&

3 Tips to Successful Fall Vegetable Gardening

Start Early

While it’s okay to grow crops during the late summer to early fall, try to start most of your late-season crops at the peak of the summer season. August is a great time to grow late-season plants in many regions, especially slow-growing vegetables broccoli and carrots. When planting slow-growing plants, you have to start slightly early so they become mature enough to withstand the low light and frost. September is a great time to grow fast-growing vegetables like green leafy vegetables and radishes.&

Know the Crops’ Days of Maturity

A plant’s day of maturity or lifespan is always listed on seed packets and plant tags, so read these carefully. You need to know how long each crop grows to determine the best time to grow them when the temperature drops. You want to give the crops enough time to mature, so they taste better and reach the right size come harvest time.&

Never Delay the Harvest Time

Every second counts when you’re growing cool-season crops. You don’t want the cold to ruin all your hard work! Apart from checking the crops’ days of maturity, keep an eye on your crops regularly to monitor their growth. Harvest as soon as the fruits are ready, so they don’t get exposed to harsh weather conditions. It’s equally important to leave enough storage space for your harvest so they will keep fresh for weeks.&

Growing crops late in the season has its challenges. With these tips for gardening in the fall, you can enjoy a plentiful harvest even as the temperature drops!&

Where To Buy Your Gardening Supplies?

Ready to start planting vegetables for the fall season?

Complete your gardening essentials and start building your garden. Browse our website to score great deals on gardening tools and supplies.