It Ain’t Over Yet: How to Plant a Fall Garden

Now that it is midsummer, it is the perfect time to consider whether you would like to extend your growing season, and plan and start a fall garden. There are many options to choose from, including several cool weather crops that were appropriate for spring planting. Good candidates may include leaf lettuce, arugula, dark leafy greens (i.e., collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, spinach, kale), green beans, several root vegetables, and more! Growing a fall garden also allows you to avoid some of the late spring, early summer insect pests, and many fall garden crops will thrive with less direct sun and/or partial shade.

Fall Seed Selections

Pot/Container Sizes

For help selecting the proper pot or container for your plant(s), see our Planting Guide.

When to Plant

Click here if you need to search for your grow (hardiness) zone. Use the guide below for grow (hardiness) Zones 5-7. If you are in other grow zones or wish to search for planting information for plants not listed below, click here to make a search/query for your desired plant, and access the corresponding zone planting guide provided by MiracleGro. If you are uncertain whether the plant you selected will grow in your area or during the desired timeframe, check your seed packet if available or consult with your local plant nursery personnel.

Seed-Sowing Timeframe for Popular Fall Crops (Grow Zones 5-7)

^{Note: Recommended timeframes for sowing seeds for fall are typically a month earlier (than listed below) for Zone 4, and a month later for Zone 8.}

Rutabaga: Mid-July to Early August

Carrots: Early August

Turnips: Early August

Arugula: Early August to Mid-August

Green beans: Now until Mid-August; Read our post all about green beans for more.

Beets: Mid-August to Late August

Dark Leafy Greens: Mid-August to Early September; Read this post for more about spinach.

• Collard greens
• Turnip greens
• Mustard greens
• Spinach
• Kale

Lettuce: Mid-August to Mid-September; Note: Loose leaf lettuce is easiest and convenient for container planting. Read our post about lettuce for more.

Radishes: Early September to Mid-September

Swiss Chard: Early September to Mid-September

*Tip: If your planting timeframe permits, you may use succession planting (sowing seeds every two weeks), so that you are not forced to harvest all your crop at once.

Time to Sow

Once you have made your plant choices and containers to grow them in, select the best potting soil (organic recommended) that fits your budget, a balanced slow-release fertilizer (an all-purpose fertilizer that is approved for vegetables and fruit should do), and a food-safe mulch, such as straw. Click here and begin reading at Step #2 for more guidance.

Planning for Success

There are numerous steps you can take to give your container garden every advantage possible, such as using containers of adequate size, selecting seeds with some disease resistance, good potting soil, proper watering, using adequate spacing, feeding your crops, companion planting, and more. See these two posts for much of what you need to know: Thriving Through Harvest Part One, Thriving Through Harvest Part Two.

Remember that the rest is up to nature, and many times you will get the expected results, while sometimes you won’t. There will be times when your results exceed your expectations, and times when they seem to fall short. Whatever the results, the process is the best part. You can learn much about nature and yourself, from both, your garden mishaps, and your garden victories. If you’re learning, you’re growing! Enjoy your garden space, and enjoy the journey!

Featured Image by CA Creative on Unsplash