As the days start to shorten and the intense heat of summer begins to fade, late summer and autumn are ideal times to continue or renew your vegetable gardening efforts. Late summer planting offers an opportunity to extend your harvest season into the cooler months, and with the right crops, you can enjoy fresh produce well into autumn and even early winter. Below, we’ll explore the best late summer and autumn crops for your home garden, along with tips for a successful cool-season harvest.
Leafy Greens
Late summer is an excellent time to plant a variety of leafy greens, which tend to thrive in cooler temperatures. These crops can often tolerate light frosts, making them perfect for extending your gardening season.
- Spinach: Spinach grows quickly and loves the cool weather of autumn. You can plant it in late summer, and it will produce tender leaves well into fall. It’s also a great crop for succession planting—sow new seeds every couple of weeks to ensure a continuous harvest.
- Kale: Kale is a resilient crop that actually tastes sweeter after being exposed to frost. Plant kale in late summer, and it will continue to grow through autumn. Some varieties can even survive into winter.
- Swiss Chard: Swiss chard is another hardy leafy green that can handle cooler temperatures. It’s a versatile vegetable that will keep producing until the first hard frost.
- Lettuce: Consider planting cool-tolerant varieties like romaine, butterhead, or leaf lettuce. Many types of lettuce are ready to harvest in just a few weeks, making them ideal for autumn planting.
Root Vegetables
Root vegetables are well-suited for autumn gardening as they thrive in cooler soil and can be stored for winter use. The following options can be planted in late summer and will mature before the winter sets in:
- Carrots: Carrots planted in late summer will benefit from the cooling weather, which enhances their flavor. They can be left in the ground and harvested as needed throughout the fall.
- Beets: Beets grow quickly and can tolerate cooler temperatures. Like carrots, they become sweeter after a frost, making autumn the perfect time to enjoy their earthy flavor.
- Radishes: Radishes are one of the fastest-growing vegetables, often ready to harvest within 30 days. Plant radishes in late summer for a quick and easy autumn harvest.
- Turnips: Turnips are another cool-weather root vegetable that can be planted in late summer. They mature quickly and can be harvested both for their roots and greens.
Brassicas
Brassicas, also known as cruciferous vegetables, thrive in cooler weather and can produce a bountiful harvest throughout the autumn months.
- Broccoli: Broccoli can be planted in late summer for a fall harvest. Cooler temperatures help broccoli form tighter, more flavorful heads, making it a perfect autumn crop.
- Cauliflower: Like broccoli, cauliflower does well in cooler temperatures. Be sure to protect the developing heads from direct sunlight to maintain their white color.
- Brussels Sprouts: Brussels sprouts are a long-season crop, so if you plant them in late summer, they’ll be ready for harvesting in late autumn. Frost improves their flavor, so waiting until after the first frost can yield the best-tasting sprouts.
- Cabbage: Cabbage loves the cool weather and can be planted in late summer for a robust fall harvest. Hardy and versatile, cabbage can be stored for weeks after harvesting.
Legumes
Cool-season legumes, such as peas and beans, can also be planted in late summer for an autumn harvest.
- Green Peas: Peas thrive in cool weather and can be sown in late summer for an autumn harvest. They prefer well-drained soil and will continue producing as long as the temperatures remain mild.
- Fava Beans: Fava beans are a cold-hardy legume that can be planted in late summer for a fall harvest. They enrich the soil by fixing nitrogen, making them a beneficial crop for garden beds.
Garlic and Onions
Autumn is the perfect time to plant garlic and onions for next year's harvest.
- Garlic: Garlic is planted in the fall and left in the ground over the winter. It begins to grow in the spring and is typically ready for harvest in early summer. Plant garlic cloves in well-drained soil, and they will establish roots before the ground freezes.
- Onions: Plant onion sets in the fall for an early spring harvest. Many gardeners prefer to plant overwintering onion varieties, which can withstand the cold and start growing as soon as the soil warms.
Herbs
Certain herbs thrive in the cooler months and can continue to grow late into the season.
- Cilantro: Cilantro bolts quickly in hot weather, so late summer planting allows it to thrive in the cool fall temperatures. Harvest frequently to keep it producing.
- Parsley: Parsley is another herb that loves cooler weather and can survive light frosts. Plant it in late summer, and it will continue to produce throughout the fall.
- Thyme and oregano are perennial herbs that continue to thrive into autumn. While their growth slows as the weather cools, they’re hardy and can be harvested late into the season.
Tips for Success
- Soil Preparation: Before planting, enrich your soil with compost to replenish nutrients that may have been depleted by summer crops. Well-prepared soil will help your autumn crops thrive.
- Mulching: Mulch your garden beds to retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and insulate the soil against temperature fluctuations. As the season progresses, the mulch will also help protect crops from frost.
- Frost Protection: Many autumn crops can tolerate light frosts, but it’s wise to keep row covers or frost cloths on hand to protect tender plants during unexpected cold snaps.
- Succession Planting: For crops with shorter growing cycles, such as lettuce and radishes, practice succession planting every two to three weeks to ensure a continuous harvest throughout the fall.
With a little planning and preparation, late summer and autumn can be productive times in your home garden. By choosing crops that thrive in cooler temperatures and taking steps to protect them from early frosts, you can extend your growing season and enjoy fresh, homegrown produce long after summer has ended. Whether you’re planting leafy greens, root vegetables, brassicas, or herbs, autumn gardening offers a rewarding way to continue your gardening journey into the cooler months.