What to Plant in a Fall Garden: Best Vegetables to Grow Before Frost

The heat has eased, the weeds have slowed, and the soil’s still warm—perfect for sowing cool-weather crops like spinach, kale, and broccoli. 

1. When to Plant a Fall Garden

Timing matters more in fall than in spring. You’re racing the clock before your first killing frost, so your planting calendar depends on where you live. For me, that first frost usually hits around September 20. But that doesn’t mean the garden’s done! Most years, I still have a solid month of growing time, and the soil stays warm even as the air cools.

• Use our Frost Dates Calculator to find the average frost date in your area. 

Once you know that, work backwards from that date based on your crop’s days to maturity (found on your seed packet). If you want the math done for you, the Fall Planting Dates Calendar takes your location and tells you exactly when to plant each veggie. It’s my go-to when I’m short on time—or patience!

Even as days shorten, your soil is warmer than it was in spring, so seeds often germinate faster. Don’t waste that warm earth—get planting!

2. What Vegetables to Grow in Fall

Here’s where the fun begins. Fall is ideal for fast-growing, cold-tolerant vegetables. Some of them even get sweeter after a light frost.

🥗 My Go-To Greens

• Lettuce is quick and easy—looseleaf types are ready in 45 days or less. See our lettuce growing guide.
• Spinach in the fall performs better than spinach planted in the spring since it matures during the cool weather it loves instead of struggling in the summer heat.
• Swiss chard is another hardy green that reaches an edible size in 25 to 30 days. Given some extra protection when frost threatens, spinach and chard can last well into fall. If well-mulched, spinach will winter over in many parts of the country and give you an extra-early spring crop of the best spinach you’ve ever tasted!
• Kale is a winter staple that can be harvested long after other greens have been killed by cold weather. I like ‘Winterbor’ for its hardiness and ‘Redbor’ for its stunning color.
• Broccoli and kohlrabi mature well in cool weather and will not be bothered by the cabbage moth larvae as much as spring-planted cold crops.

🥕 Roots and Quick Picks

• Radishes are ready in just 25 days—a great option if you’re short on time.
• Carrots  and beets take longer but reward your patience with sweeter flavor.
• Bush beans take about 6 to 8 weeks to reach a harvestable size. The only problem with these crops is that they will be killed by frost unless you plan to protect them. If you live in an area with a long growing season, this will not be a problem.
• Snap peas and snow peas start to produce in 60 days, and peas that mature in cold weather seem especially sweet and crisp. Pea vines can survive temperatures down to 25°F.

🌿 The Real Stars: Asian Greens

I’m a big fan of Asian greens in fall. They grow fast, look beautiful, and stand up to chilly nights. Try:

• Tatsoi, pac choi, mizuna, and napa cabbage—ready in about 45 days
• Hon tsai tai, mustards, arugula, mâche, and claytonia—great in salads and stir-fries

Some Asian greens like hon tsai tai and mibuna are more closely related to mustard (also in brassica family), which gives them tangy leaves that add a pleasant bite to an autumn salad or stir-fry. Other greens such as arugula, mâche, minutina, and claytonia can withstand cold temperatures, providing you with lots of interesting salads and cooked greens well into late fall. Read more about growing my seven favorite Asian greens. 

Pro Tip: Want to keep things pretty? Mix edibles with cool-season flowers like ornamental kale, pansies, and salvias for a garden that’s both tasty and beautiful.

🌱 3. Where to Plant Fall Crops

Once summer crops have slowed, it’s time to clear beds and make room. Look for spaces where:

• Garlic or onions were recently harvested
• Tomatoes or squash have been pulled
• Beds are being cleaned of spent or diseased plants

Before planting, add compost or organic fertilizer to refresh the soil.

Fall gardening is also a good time to practice succession planting—tucking in new crops where others have just finished.

💧 Caring for Fall Crops

Here’s how to help your autumn garden thrive:

• Fall crops love cool nights—but they need your help early on.
• Water regularly, especially during warm spells. Seeds can dry out fast in sun-baked soil.
• Mulch to hold moisture and suppress weeds.
• Row covers work wonders if you get an early frost or too much sun. 

👉 Learn more about using row covers to protect your plants.

🌻 Don’t Pack Up the Garden Yet

Fall doesn’t mean it’s over. With a bit of planning and a shovel in hand, you can enjoy fresh greens, sweet roots, and crisp air right through the first snow. It’s the quiet season in the garden—but it’s one of the most rewarding.

Have you planted a fall garden before? Got a favorite veggie or trick for squeezing in one more harvest? We’d love to hear it—please leave me a note in the comments below!

Have you ever planted a fall garden? Do you have any tips or tricks? Share them in the comments below!