Start Vegetable Seeds Soon for Fresh Produce This Fall!
August is a great time to seed a 2nd crop of vegetables and with cooler temperatures and less weed pressure, fall gardening can be easier. Certain vegetables thrive in a cooler climate and can provide a bountiful harvest in the fall. Here’s a guide on what to start by seed in August or transplant in September for the most common fall crops.
Best Vegetables for Fall:
- Leafy Greens: Spinach, lettuce, kale, and Swiss chard are ideal for fall planting. They grow quickly and can tolerate cooler temperatures.
- Root Vegetables: Carrots, beets, radishes, and turnips are excellent choices for fall. They tend to become sweeter with the cooler weather and make great additions to homemade soups and stews when the chilly weather sets in!
- Brassicas: Broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts can be started now for a late fall harvest.
- Legumes: Peas can be planted again too. They prefer cooler weather and produce a good crop before the first frost. If planted early enough, beans can also provide a quick crop if protected from an early cold snap.
Tips for a Successful Fall Garden:
- Soil Preparation: Enrich your soil with compost, organic matter or fertilizer to replenish nutrients used by earlier crops.
- Watering: Consistent watering is crucial, especially during the hot days of late summer. Water the root zone not the plant tops to reduce fungal diseases.
- Mulching: Use straw, organic matter, compost or mulch to cool and retain moisture in soil.
- Frost Protection: Use row covers or cold frames to protect your crops from early frosts if needed.
|
Vegetable |
Planting Time |
Days to Harvest |
Notes |
|
Spinach |
Early Aug |
40-50 days |
Prefers cooler temperatures, mulch well |
|
Lettuce |
Early-Mid Aug |
30-60 days |
Succession plant every 2 weeks for continuous harvest |
|
Kale |
Early Aug |
50-70 days |
Can tolerate frost, sweetens with cold |
|
Swiss Chard |
Early Aug |
50-60 days |
Harvest leaves as needed |
|
Carrots |
Early Aug |
70-80 days |
Ensure consistent moisture |
|
Beets |
Early Aug |
50-60 days |
Harvest greens and roots |
|
Radishes |
Early-Late Aug |
25-30 days |
Quick growing, plant in succession |
|
Turnips |
Early-Mid Aug |
50-60 days |
Use both greens and roots |
|
Broccoli |
Early August |
70-100 days |
Protect from frost with row covers |
|
Cauliflower |
Early August |
70-100 days |
Requires consistent moisture |
|
Brussels Sprouts |
Early August |
90-120 days |
Best after a light frost |
|
Peas |
Early August |
60-70 days |
Trellis for support |
Starting a garden by seed takes longer but is an economical and gratifying way to have fresh, healthy produce. If transplanting seedlings, you can wait until early September. By following the planting chart, you can enjoy fresh homegrown produce this fall. The Mill has gardening experts ready to answer your questions and provide solutions for your yard or plant challenges! Fall is for Planting! 🌱
