Fall is a time for harvest. Everything that you planted in late summer will soon be ready to pick. The best plants for a fall harvest would be anything that would fit in the leafy greens category. Root vegetables and cabbage are also good picks for a fall harvest. If you live in an area where the fall weather trends towards the warmer side, then you could also consider planting fast-maturing warm-weather crops like snap beans, summer squash, and even tomatoes. Here’s a good list of fall vegetables to consider for your garden:
- Leaf lettuce
- Spinach
- Mustard
- Arugula
- Cress
- Sorrel
- Kale
- Beets
- Carrots
- Radishes
- Turnips
Planting Ahead
To bring in a fall harvest, you have to plant-based on your frost season. Find out when the average first frost arrives and count backyards to the number of days it takes each individual plant to mature. You might want to add an extra week just to play it safe.
When planting direct seeds, you want to do it in the cooler part of the day when your water won’t quickly evaporate. Any seeds or transplanted seedlings should be thoroughly watered in the first few days. If possible, you should also use a shade cloth to avoid direct harsh sunlight in these early days of growth.
You should also consider planting your crops in blocks as opposed to rows. When planting this way, the plants with leaves will mature and provide shade for the soil. That will keep the moisture locked in.
Harvest Time
You’ll want to set dates on your cell calendar for when you can expect the harvest. Obviously, you’ll be tracking the growth as you continue to water and weed but you want to keep an eye out for that “peak” time, which will be the best time to harvest. Once the harvest comes in, you can incorporate those veggies in soups and stews. The rest can be canned. That’s another fun project!
