Here’s a handy fall garden guide to help you decide what to plant in the fall garden and when to plant your fall crops! The succession gardening chart below shows the last fall planting dates, based on the first expected frost dates in the fall.
Extending your gardening season with a second harvest can dramatically increase your annual yield—and allow you to enjoy fresh vegetables into fall and winter. In addition, fall gardening is often easier since there are fewer pests and problems in cooler weather. Finally, a fall “cover” crop can organically protect and build your soil.
To calculate the best time to plant your fall vegetable garden, look at the first expected freeze dates. Choose the date that comes closest to the expected first killing frost in your area. If you do not know the date, use our Frost Dates Calculator.
When to Plant Your Fall Crops
Click here to expand the chart below (PDF).
Advice on Your Fall Garden
- Learn more about succession planting and how to harvest more from your vegetable garden!
- See our page on planting cover crops after harvest—to add back nutrients.
- We’ll help you choose the best plants for autumn growing and great plants with fall colors.
- Decide which trees and shrubs you want in your fall garden.
- Find tips to help you plant garlic in the fall or plant lettuce and spinach in the fall.
- Make your fall fruits and vegetables last even longer with these pickling recipes and tips!
See our Autumnal Equinox page for even more fall-themed advice, folklore, and facts!
Top 10 Veggies.
Reader Comments
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Fall seedlings
Hello! My 6 year old twins and I had our very first successful and bountiful garden thanks to following Almanac's advice. I am forever grateful for this resource because it has providing tons of fun and quality time for our family. My kids LOVE the garden more than anything. So my question now for our Fall garden (we live in middle TN) is.... when starting fall seedlings in the summer heat do I need to do this inside of outside? Is a small greenhouse necessary still? Just not sure how germination goes for cool weather plants in the hot July sun. My kids and I look forward to your response as we are so excited for our new seeds. Thank you for everything!
what to plant in fall
Congratulations to all of you! You are actually at the source of the questions you are asking: You need to consider your first frost date (it’s an average); scroll above and click on the reference to it and follow the prompts to get your estimated first frost date. Then come back here and look at the chart above AND determine what vegetables will thrive in the time before your first frost. Seeds should start just as they do in winter, although in most cases, they are best started in soil. If you have questions about how to grow any of the specific vegetables above, put the vegetable name in the search area (top left) and a growing page will come up, with specific guidance.
We hope this helps. Have fun!
What to plantin south Louisiana.
It's been raining a lot here
tomatoes
we recently , (couple weeks ago) planted tomatoe plants. went to check on them a few days later, (had alot of rain), and noticed that "something" had eaten a bunch of these new plants down to the stems. would you know aht would eat only tomatoe leaves and nothing else in the garden? and will they grow back, and what cat i use to deter whatever it is?
tomato pest
Hmm. When you say eaten down to the stems, do you mean down to the soil line, with just stubs remaining? Or, just the leaves down to where each leaf stalk connects to the nearest stem? For leaves only, then you might check for signs of the tomato hornworm. For more widespread damage, it sounds like either a rodent (such as a woodchuck), rabbit, or deer, rather than an insect. For more information about tomato pests, and animal pests in general, you might visit:
http://www.almanac.com/plant/tomatoes
http://www.almanac.com/pest/tomato-hornworms
http://www.almanac.com/pest/deer
http://www.almanac.com/pest/rabbits
As to whether the plants can recover, it depends on how severe the damage is. You might wait and see, but also plant a few extra just in case. The damaged plants may take a while to recover, if they do, and likely the harvest will be delayed and perhaps not as abundant. Be sure to pamper the plants to help them re-establish. Good luck!
Can I get a Farmers Almanac for North Florida
Need planting dates, best crop to grow and when (in Spring & Fall) , etc
Best planting dates
Try this free online planting calendar, customized to your zip code, here: http://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-dates
Or, the new 2017 edition of The Old Farmer’s Almanac can be bought here: https://store.almanac.com/store/almanacs
fall planting
Fall planting
fall garden
This will help me so much!!
gardening advice
I am new to gardening when is the best time to start seeding plants indoors for a spring garden and when do u plant the plants.And when do u plant onions.I live in se Texas.Any advice would be helpful.
Best Days to Plant
Hi Sheena, Welcome! We have a free tool for the Best Days to Plant Seeds as well as Plants in the Ground. It is personalized to your location in Texas. Click here for our gardening calendar and please let us know if you have any questions on how it works! http://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-dates
Great guide
Thanks for writing this. We're so glad fall is here now! We're getting our yard ready for the fall this weekend.
I live in Humboldt co. CA
I live in Humboldt co. CA what veggies can I plant in Sept. and what could we plant for winter crop
We would suggest you check
We would suggest you check our all-seasons planting guide which is customized to your zip code. See:
http://www.almanac.com/plantin...
Im a beginner gardener, and I
Im a beginner gardener, and I plant a few veggies, now, can I get pic. of spinach plant and when can I pick it, im having trouble knowing when to pick the veggies.
Hi, You might find our
Hi, You might find our Ripeness Guide helpful for knowing when different vegetables are ready to harvest. See: www.almanac.com/content/ripeness-guide
why are there no dates on
why are there no dates on these comments?
Hello I live in Prince Rupert
Hello I live in Prince Rupert BC Canada and we building a growing dome greehouse but looking to start on veggies / fruit / herbs to start to grow asap we getting the students to grow in there classrooms n looking to grow from seed we get tons of rain here , and its cooler . Anyways im asking please what we can start off in cups or egg cartoons to grow n what kind of soil too please its october 11 thank you
Will these crops always be
Will these crops always be indoors in the classroom or greenhouse? For greenhouse crops at this time, you might consider beets, radishes, lettuce, collards, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, turnips, kale, Swiss chard, fava beans, carrots, cilantro, parsley, spinach, or peas. If started in cups or egg cartons, they will eventually need to be transplanted to larger containers. Make sure the egg cartons or cups have a drainage hole in the bottom. A soil-less potting mix works well.
For general outdoor planting dates in your area, you might be interested in:
http://www.almanac.com/gardeni...
I live in Southeast Georgia
I live in Southeast Georgia and was wondering when is the latest you can plant collards, turnips and mustard, Also what can we plant in the winter here?
In Georgia, plant fall crops
In Georgia, plant fall crops such as collards, turnips, cabbage, mustard and kale in September - October. In the extreme South, you can usually plant two weeks later so look toward the end of this range.
When do I sow cabbage seeds
When do I sow cabbage seeds and collards seeds to transplant for fall.
See our Planting Table for
See our Planting Table for sowing dates in your zip code.
Fall gardening
First time fall garden planter, advise please, and thank you
I live in central FL. I am
I live in central FL. I am going to plant a raised bed garden, What should I plant for veggies, and what lick will I have?
Good for you! Please see our
Good for you! Please see our planting Dates tool for your area here: http://www.almanac.com/gardeni...
I was just wondering if it is
I was just wondering if it is too late to plant. I've have never gardened before and would love to get into it. I don't know if I should wait or if I can go for it!
Thanks
Planting dates depend on
Planting dates depend on where you live and when you get frost. See our Planting Dates tool for your area here: http://www.almanac.com/gardeni...
We live in Southern Illinois
We live in Southern Illinois and have just tilled up a garden spot for next spring...I'm wondering what, if anything, to try to grow, if not for great yield, at least to upgrade the soil for our spring / summer garden.
Hi Liz, It's always good to
Hi Liz,
It's always good to add compost or aged manure to the soil. Fall is a good time to do it. Good luck with your garden next spring.
Hello, I live in the upper
Hello, I live in the upper panhandle of Florida near Tallahassee. I've just started a garden and am planning to plant carrots, radishes, and pumpkins, but I'm worried I may be planting them too late. Is it okay for me to plant them now?
In your area of Florida: From
In your area of Florida: From mid-September, you can certainly plant radish and carrots. You could also plant lettuce, beets, garlic, and other plants. It's too late for pumpkins which you'd want to plant in July/early August.
I live in Columbia, South
I live in Columbia, South Carolina. Are there any vegetables I can plant from seed in mid September?
Yes, you can plant carrots,
Yes, you can plant carrots, lettuce, radish, spinach, and turnips! See our planting dates calendar here: http://www.almanac.com/gardeni...
I live in Long Island NY and
I live in Long Island NY and I am new to gardening, and about to plough up an area of grass which has be that way for many years. I was wondering what I could expect to be able to grow in it this fall season?
After your till/dig the
After your till/dig the ground to break it up, remove as many roots, stems, weeds, rocks, etc. that have been exposed. Add a thick layer of organic matter, such as compost, and till/work it in. (Do not use raw manure if you are going to plant this fall.) Rake the area smooth. For fall planting in Long Island, you might be interested in the following publications from the Suffolk County Cooperative Extension:
http://ccesuffolk.org/assets/H...
http://ccesuffolk.org/assets/H...
For general vegetable gardening:
http://ccesuffolk.org/horticul...
This is my second year
This is my second year gardening in los anngeles, Ca. and I keep getting confused on when to plant here. the packets confuse me and I see all kind of stuff at the farmers market that are not for the season temps. (cold vs warm season) and they often say plant continously every three weeks which will be too hot like broccoli which bolted on me and cabbage an some other things that stayed two or three inches. I want an abundant continuos garden. Is there a book or rule for knowing when and what to plant here?
Hi Felicia, If you go
Hi Felicia,
If you go to
http://celosangeles.ucanr.edu/...
and scroll to the bottom you'll find lists of plants to plant from March through August for your location. The page also has some good general gardening advice.
Greetings from Georgia, Is
Greetings from Georgia,
Is there sufficient room in those rain gutter hanging gardens to support >limabutter beans<?I have had to forgo my favorite beans because my back and legs will no longer get me close enough to harvest them ^_^
I can ,if must needs, build my own so how deep need I go? 1X8? 1X10? 1X12?
Edward: Any shallow root crop
Edward: Any shallow root crop can be planted in the gutters. You might try a bucket (home depot) for the beans. Place it on a bale of hay or concrete blocks for height. You'll have to stake the beans, but you can reach them easier. I planted potatoes in a circle cage with straw/compost and won't have to bend to harvest them. You can do your beans this way, as well.
I see all of these questions
I see all of these questions about when to plant what. Looking through the online almanac I see you mentioning winter frost where we live in Florida 33470 which we never or hardly ever get frost. This leads to my questions. 1. can the almanac not answer all of these questions about when and what to plant? and 2. Why place emphasis on frost where it rarely if ever happens, it makes me wonder if I should subscribe to the almanac if it does not apply to our area.
Thank you,
Robert Johnson
Loxahatchee, FL
Hi Robert, Thanks for your
Hi Robert,
Thanks for your comments. We are working on a new seed planting and transplanting calculator that will solve some of the problems we have had in regions that don't get frost. We will have updated spring and fall planting dates soon. Stay tuned.
1. What can be planted in
1. What can be planted in Houston in winter.
2. What can be planted after pumpkin has been harvest. ( Dec.3)
You should be able to grow
You should be able to grow mustard greens, carrots, beets, lettuce, and even broccoli if you don't get a hard freeze. Contact your Aggie cooperative extension for advice from some great Texas gardeners: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu...
I think you dont need the
I think you dont need the almanac, since you seem to already have the answers
Hi, is it too late to plant
Hi, is it too late to plant greens (kale, chard, arugula, italian dandelion, collards, broccoli raab)and roots (carrots, radishes, beets) by seed in Gainesville, Florida? Thank you!
It's not too late. You can
It's not too late. You can still plant seeds for root crops and cold-weather greens.
I live in the heart of texas
I live in the heart of texas where we rarely have any frosts, we wear shorts all year long as a matter of fact its 87 degrees here today (oct.9th).can I plant something other than veggies now?
Foxgloves, petunias, and
Foxgloves, petunias, and shasta daisies are great for a fall garden in Texas. Also try herbs like dill, oregano, sage, and fennel.
Is it okay to move perinal
Is it okay to move perinal flowers in the fall like cannas, cone flower, iris, black eyed susan just to name a few? I have friends that are wanting to work thier garden now and would like some of my flowers that I have a lot of. I tell them afraid to move these while some are still blooming. I live in Chattanooga Tn. area.
As a general rule, it is best
As a general rule, it is best to divide spring and summer blooming perennials in the fall, and fall bloomers in spring. So, move bearded iris and canna in the spring. The black-eyed susans and coneflowers are fine in the fall or spring.
i live in west Georgia, I
i live in west Georgia, I want know when do I plant tulip bulbs and what other plants can I plant now?
Tulips can be planted in late
Tulips can be planted in late fall before the ground freezes. If you are interested in planting vegetables here are some choices for a fall garden.
Beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, collards, lettuce, kale, onions, radishes, spinach and turnips.
I try to always plant by the
I try to always plant by the moon phases. Should tulips be planted when the moon is shrinking? Thank you!
Hi Sonya, If you plant by the
Hi Sonya, If you plant by the Moon, then you are correct. We plant below-ground crops during the dark of the Moon (from the day after it is full to the day before it is new again). Best, Your OFA editors
I am in a wheelchair and want
I am in a wheelchair and want to plant some container vegetables this fall in central Texas. What can I still plant in the containers at this time of year? Are there any specific varieties recommended for this area (zone 8b)?
For containers you can plant
For containers you can plant lettuce, spinach, kale, broccoli, endive, radishes, Brussels sprouts, oriental vegetables, bush beans and leeks. It's best to select vegetables that don't grow too large.
What can I plant, flowers, in
What can I plant, flowers, in the fall in Southwest Georgia to last until spring? We usually have mild winters. I have a window box, new, that I need to know what to plant , also in the full sun.
Welcome to Georgia! Here in
Welcome to Georgia!
Here in Georgia, you'll get your money's worth from the pansy. If you're from farther north, you may think of them as spring and summer flowers, but here they don't do as well in the summer.
I think it's still a bit early for them, though. (Then again, I'm a bit farther north, in the Atlanta area. But I know my relatives in Columbus, Georgia have great luck with them, too.) When your local garden center has flats of pansies available, you know it's time to plant them. They'll probably keep going until spring, even through Georgia's light snows and ice storms. (Seriously, I used to have photos of pansies in the snow!)
Another option is the gigantic pots of mums that pop up everywhere in Georgia come fall. I recommend repotting them when you buy them, because those big, full pots are often rootbound. You have to take a bit of care if you want them to come back next year, and don't be surprised if the forced mums in a garden center don't return. You can plant some spring mums next year, and they'll look gorgeous come fall.
http://www.organicgardening.co...
Good luck.
My husband and I recently
My husband and I recently bought our first home. However, I cannot get a thing to grow! At our old house, I had tons of veggies and herbs (peppers of varoius types, beefsteak tomatoes, broccoli, spinach, collards...the list goes on) and lots of ornamental color and other landscaping. I live in Texarkana, TX and am used to the variable weather here, and we are in the midst of a drought. Could this be my issue (although I keep things well watered) or could it be that the soil is of a different type and quality? Help!
Hi Rachel, Soil is
Hi Rachel, Soil is everything. For example, do you have hard, clay, compact soil? You'll want to get a soil test from your local county cooperative extension. It's usually free or low cost.
Whatever kind of soil you have, it always helps to add organic matter such as compost as it provides nourishment to the plants. Aim for one-third your soil mix to be organic material. Spread 2 to 4 inches over the garden surface and till it to a depth of at least 6 to 10 inches. Apply the recommended rate of fertilizer over the garden surface at the same time, and till it in along with the organic material. We hope you find this helpful.
I live in Copperopolis, Ca
I live in Copperopolis, Ca what can I plant from seed now. When is the first frost here as we are new to this area. Thanks
Your first frost date is
Your first frost date is historically October 17. Look at the seed packets in your garden center, find the "dates to maturity" and back out from your frost date. Here is a helpful video on fall vegetable gardening: http://www.almanac.com/video/f...
I live in San Angelo, TX and
I live in San Angelo, TX and want to plant a late garden. Do I still have options? Thanks
Your last frost date is
Your last frost date is traditionally October 29. Autumn is a good time to plant veggies, such as spinach, broccoli, carrots, cabbage, leaf lettuce, Swiss chard and kale, beets and radishes. Most cool-season crops can be planted in your area from September through February. Stagger your sowing every 2 weeks for a continuous harvest. All the best!
Could anybody tell me what
Could anybody tell me what zone I am in...where it doesn't freeze? I live in central Portugal, 2 miles from the ocean so the ground may freeze in January but that,s it. Thanks.
Zone 8...maybe 9 depending on
Zone 8...maybe 9 depending on hard and how often you freeze in January. Zone 8 will keep you safe though. Wish I had that kind of winter:)
I live in Selma, CA.I started
I live in Selma, CA.I started a vegetable garden last year.What can I plant in the month of september. I found some contradictory info on this website but I still love this website.
In southern California you
In southern California you can plant cool-season veggies. Try carrots, cauliflowers, broccoli, greens, lettuce, potatoes, peas, and radishes.
I live in New Orleans and I
I live in New Orleans and I looking to start a garden soon. At this time of year what vegetables and fruits can I plant?
For a fall garden you can
For a fall garden you can plant beets, lettuce, carrots, Swiss chard, collards, onions, and radishes. You can also plant squashes and melons, tomatoes and peppers.
I live in the Panhandle of
I live in the Panhandle of Florida, close to Pensacola. I grew up with gardening but I am new to it for myself. I just have a small backyard plot or two. Is it too late to plant some pumpkins and/or squash of any variety. I had some tomatoes, beans and cucumbers over the summer. Some of the tomatoes had the wilting disease and I got rid of those. I am now cleaning out those beds and wondering what I could put in them for the fall. I know I should have started last month but life got in the way. What can I plant now?
Thank you for any help.
You can plant onions,
I am a beginner planning to
I am a beginner planning to start my planting at the end of August. the first freeze charge here doesn't seem to apply for California. I don't think we will have a freeze until maybe December or January. Any suggestions on when to plant? Is it possible to plant too early?
Hi Barbie, We'd need to know
Hi Barbie, We'd need to know where you live as every region of California is a bit different. It's a big state! Many parts of California do have a 50% probability of frost--usually in November. You mentioned that your frost date is usually in December. That could range from the coast of Luis Obispo County to Sacramento in the interior valley. Thanks, OFA
I live in macon ga, when is
I live in macon ga, when is the best time to plant my fall garden?
In Georgia, you plant a fall
In Georgia, you plant a fall garden mid-July to September. You may find this planting guide from your Georgia Cooperative Extension helpful: http://www.caes.uga.edu/public...
Hi I live near houston texas.
Hi I live near houston texas. When is the best time to plant wisteria seeds?
American Wisteria (Wisteria
American Wisteria (Wisteria frutescens) is native to your area and grows quite vigorously. Plant in the spring (April/May) in your area.
I don't believe there is any
I don't believe there is any part of the year near Houston that Wisteria won't take. Obviously in the hard summer you'll need a bit of water. I've thrown lower branches away only to have them root and grow.
What can be planted where
What can be planted where corn grew? this year? or what do I have todo to plant vegs again?
A popular crop to follow
A popular crop to follow sweet corn is potatoes. Research has shown corn to be one of the preceding crops that most benefit the yield of potatoes. You could also plant a cover crop for the winter and then lettuce in the spring. Here is a helpful video on crop rotation: http://www.almanac.com/video/how-rotate-your-vegetable-crops
Hi I live in Nebraska Need to
Hi I live in Nebraska Need to know what month should I plant second /3 rd plantings for fall and winter harvest like peas and kale and carrots and beets of all the cold crops and warm crops for possible second planting like Lima beans and Pole beans corn Thx medicine
P.S. e mail me ASAP because it is getting close to remove the summer plants and I want so much for theses cold crops to grow so I can make my home made soup and stews as we lost the springs crop.
This chart shows the dates of
This chart shows the dates of popular crops and the 2nd or 3rd plantings for each region of the U.S. that receives frost. We'll add more crops over time.
I live in Pac. NW, 45 mi N.
I live in Pac. NW, 45 mi N. of Prtld, OR. Two mentally challenged neighbor boys have their hearts set on growing Pumpkins; I have space & 3 different seed pkgs - with varied maturation dates of between 75 to 110 days. Do I dare help them sow seeds directly for Halloween yield, or would I be setting them up for certain disappointment? I grew up helping my dad garden, but only recently, 25 years later, have I returned to this wonderful "art" - so I'm no expert. However, what I lack in experience, I probably balance out with diligence & enthusiasm! All advice gratefully accepted!
Michelle, To figure out the
Michelle, To figure out the harvest dates for pumpkins, you use the maturation dates you referenced and back up from those dates to get to your planting dates. Add on 10 days for curing. This would bring you past Halloween. You may want to start earlier next year. Ask your local pumpkin patches when they seed! It's probably in June as pumpkins do store for a while.
i use black corrogated 8
i use black corrogated 8 inch pipe around my plants for watering purposes, since doing this my garden yeild has doubled and i have no water runoff, this year my tomatoes are 7 ft tall and still growing with approx. 20 toamtoes per plant averaging 1 to 2 lbs each, sounds impossible but true.
Hello, I am new to gardening.
Hello, I am new to gardening. I always wanted to grow my own fruit, veggies & plants/flowers. My question is, what would you recommended I start off planting & when should I start planting?
Congrats! Nothing excites us
Congrats! Nothing excites us more than beginner gardeners. Bush beans, carrots, peppers, and beets are easy ones. Here is an article we prepared to help beginning vegetable gardeners: http://www.almanac.com/vegetab...
I have had a lot of success
I have had a lot of success using the tower garden. Check out my web site to see how to grow many plants in a small area. Http://rturner.towergarden.com
We planted two brandywine
We planted two brandywine heritage tomatoes in a raised bed, at least 20 feet away from the other variety of tomatoes we planted. The two Brandywines were planted with hot pepper plants near them and some leaf lettuce. We have 10 different variety of tomatoes spread out through our .75 acre garden and the other plants are having no troubles, even the brandywine in the container on the porch has no problems.
The two Brandywines we are having problems with have the lower leaves turning yellow, upper leaves are fine. We were thinking it needed a top up with Epsom salts and water to add nutrients. The peppers in the same bed are large and producing very well, have picked several times. The stem near the ground on the Brandywines is also discoloured.
Although it's difficult to
Although it's difficult to diagnose, without seeing a sample, one possibility is that these two plants are suffering from fusarium wilt or fusarium crown rot. Brandywines are susceptible to several diseases, include fusarium. Fusarium starts out as a yellowing of the lower leaves; eventually, they will wilt, and then die off; the disease will start to travel up the plant. There is also a brown discoloration inside the stem from the base to about 6 or 12 inches above ground. Fusarium that affects tomatoes will not affect peppers. However, verticillium wilt is very similar, and that does affect other plants.
For photos of fusarium and other diseases of tomatoes, you might check out this site:
http://solutionsforyourlife.uf...
Also, a great diagnostic guide for tomato diseases can be found here:
http://vegetablemdonline.ppath...
We live in western PA. In
We live in western PA. In our garden we have a variety of vegetables. The green beans did beautifully the first year, but not since then. Could it be either the location (next to sugar snap peas & carrots) or do pill bugs eat them from underneath? This year has been the worst, only two plants took and still only yielded a handful. I know not to plant in the same location each year and I shouldn't have but did. It really looks like something ate them from underneath is my guess. Can you help?
Green beans grow fine next to
Green beans grow fine next to most veggies. However, there are several bean pests. Are your beans are being cut off at the ground level? That could be cutworms. Are you finding pill bugs in your soil? Put out slug bait and ring plants with crushed egg shells and diatomaceous earth. If you're open to non-organic solutions, you could try Sevin Dust. We do also advise rotating green beans to avoid fungus infection. Rotate so there are 2 to 3 years between plantings in the same plot. Hope these tips help. You could bring a sample to your local cooperative extension for a diagnosis.
when is a good time for
when is a good time for planting bulbs in western Maine?
Early- to mid-October is a
Early- to mid-October is a good time to plant bulbs in your area. See this growing guide for fall-planted bulbs: http://www.almanac.com/content...