Fall has officially arrived, which means you can expect temperatures to drop and days to get shorter. It may be time to harvest your summer crops, but don’t put away your gardening gloves yet. Just because summer is over, doesn’t mean you have to take a break from gardening until next year. There are plenty of vegetables that you can still grow throughout the fall. As a matter of fact, some vegetables, such as various cruciferous vegetables, thrive in cooler weather, making fall the perfect season to grow them. Here are some tips to help you grow vegetables in the fall. 

Make room for your fall vegetables 

Before you start planting your new fall crops, you want to make sure your garden has enough space for them. You can do this by harvesting spring and summer crops, or by getting rid of any crops that aren’t doing so well, such as any dried out or diseased crops you may have. You should also check for any weeds that need to be pulled so they don’t steal water and nutrients from your fall vegetables. After you have cleared your garden of weeds and old crops, you can determine how much space you have available for new ones and decide which fall vegetables you want to grow. 

Know how long it will take your fall vegetables to grow 

When it comes to growing vegetables in the fall, timing is essential. Before you start planting your fall vegetables, look up when your area’s first frost date will be. Then, look on the seed package for the number of days to harvest for the vegetable you will be growing. Keep in mind that as the days get shorter, your crops will receive less sunlight and grow at a slower pace. You want to be sure that you plant your fall crops with plenty of time to mature before the first frost. Cooler weather allows crops to last longer in the garden once they mature. Even faster growing leafy vegetables can hold their quality for a longer period of time when planted in a fall harvest. So if you plan properly you may be able to yield crops from the garden throughout the cold season into the early spring.

Take care of your fall garden

Since fall generally means less sunlight and more precipitation, your crops will not need as much water as they did in the summer. Adjust the amount of water you give to your fall vegetables based on the weather in your area. For instance, if you experience a lot of heavy rainfall, your vegetables won’t need to be watered as frequently. You should also routinely check for signs of pests and diseases in your garden, such as spots or holes on leaves, so that you can handle them as soon as possible. When frost is forecast, protect your fall crops by covering your garden with a row cover, tarp, sheet or blanket. 

Which vegetables can be grown in the fall?

It is time to decide which vegetables you will be growing this fall. Here are some vegetables that will thrive in the cool weather, making them perfect for growing in the fall. 

● Beets. Beets are frost tolerant and can often survive into the mid-20s Fahrenheit. 

● Broccoli. Broccoli can survive the frost and will thrive in the cooler weather. 

● Brussel sprouts. Brussel sprouts can survive freezing temperatures, and the frost will amp up their flavor. 

● Cabbage. Cabbage thrives in the cold and gets sweeter after a bit of frost. 

● Carrots. Carrots can survive a few frosts, and they can even be overwintered under a heavy layer of mulch. 

● Cauliflower. Cauliflower is known to be a bit harder to grow, but it will flourish in cool temperatures with proper care. 

● Kale. Kale tolerates the cold well, and like many fall vegetables, gets sweeter after being exposed to some frost. 

Start planting your fall garden! 

Now you have an idea of how you can grow a fall vegetable garden, it’s time to get started. Clear up space in your garden, check when your area’s first frost date will be and choose which cold-loving vegetable you want to grow this season. Happy growing!