There are no one-size-fits-all answers to the questions of, “When do I start a fall garden?” and “What do I grow in it?” It will be up to you to learn your zone and local climate.
The information below is a general guideline based largely on Zones 5 and higher, which covers the largest portion of the U.S.
Timing
Although we call it a fall garden, sowing seeds or planting seedlings typically occurs in late July through August. This is because we need our plants to be fairly mature before the first frost hits.
Frost-hardy plants are only frost-hardy when they have a well-established root system. Most tender seedlings will die in below-freezing temperatures.
Clyde’s Vegetable Planting Slide Chart has a side dedicated to the fall garden. As demonstrated in a previous lesson, just line up the red line with your first frost date to know when to plant each crop.
Due to shorter days and less sun, the fall garden typically closes in mid-December.
Fall Garden Crops
As you choose what to plant, bear in mind the crop rotation discussed in the previous lesson. Depleted soil won’t grow food in abundance.
- Almost all greens—spinach, kale, chard, lettuces, etc.
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Brussels Sprouts
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Cilantro
- Collards
- Garlic
- Onions
- Parsnips
- Radish
- Turnips
