Gardening Plants & Flowers Vegetables

26 Fall Vegetables to Grow in Your Garden

bunch of radishes

The Spruce / K. Dave  

If you want to add a little color and flavor to your autumn table, try planting a fall vegetable garden. While most gardeners plant crops in spring and summer, many vegetables can still grow in the fall. Some spring and summer crops even grow better in the fall thanks to the cool weather as they mature. Starting a vegetable garden in cool-weather fall has many benefits. There are fewer plant-damaging pests and diseases, fewer weeds, and warm soil. Plus, the moderate rainfall means you won't need to water as frequently. Some crops even taste better when subjected to some light frost.

Gardeners in hardiness zones eight and up can get all sorts of vegetable plants started, including tender tomatoes and eggplant. Green thumbs in northern climates will find success growing vegetables that enjoy the cooler, shorter fall days, like leafy greens, root vegetables, cabbage, broccoli, and kale.

Get inspiration for your autumn bounty with these 26 fall garden vegetables perfect for late-season harvests.

Tip

Plant your seeds deeper in the fall than in the spring. Typically, the ground is warmer, having just come off the hot summer months—by planting your seeds a little deeper than the package suggests, you can get them down to where the soil is cool and moist.

When to Plant a Fall Garden

Generally, it pays to plant seeds for your fall garden in mid-to-late summer to harvest them before the average first frost in your region. However, this varies depending on the fall vegetables you want to plant, your hardiness zone, and expected first frosts.

To work out the first frost dates for your region, check out one of the online calculators that provide this after you input your zip code. You can work out roughly when to plant your fall vegetables by determining their days to harvest and deducting this from the first frost date. However, some veggies benefit from light frost exposure as they mature, so dates vary. It's also a good idea to add about two weeks to each vegetable’s expected days to maturity to account for shorter days and cooler temperatures, which make vegetables grow slower than in spring or summer.

Fall Garden Vegetables

  • 01 of 26

    Beets (Beta Vulgaris)

    beets growing

    The Spruce / K. Dave 

    As with all root vegetables, beets are best grown from seed, as you don't want to disturb the root once it has begun growing. Although beets will grow in the summer heat, they have a tendency to get bitter and woody quickly, so late summer to early fall is the best time to resume succession planting, at two-to-three-week intervals.

    Beet bulbs will keep growing until a deep freeze, and even the tops can handle a bit of frost.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 2–11
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
    • Soil Needs: Loamy, moist
    • When to plant: Four weeks before the first expected frost 
    • Spacing: 2 to 6 inches apart and rows 12 to 24 inches apart
  • 02 of 26

    Bok Choy (Brassica rapa)

    Bok Choy Plants

    The Spruce / Marie Iannotti

    Bok choy (as well as many other Asian greens), is well-suited to fall planting. The so-called "baby" bok choy varieties grow quickly, reaching about eight inches in height in around 40 days. They revel in the cool weather fall brings, as well as the decrease in pesky leaf insects that can sometimes influence their growth or success.

    Since they won't bolt to seed as quickly as they may in warm spring weather, you can harvest the heads as you need them.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 2–11
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
    • Soil Needs: Rich, well-drained
    • When to plant: Four weeks before the first expected frost 
    • Spacing: 3 to 12 inches apart (depending on the species) and rows 18 to 30 inches apart
  • 03 of 26

    Broccoli (Brassica oleracea)

    broccoli in the garden

    The Spruce / K. Dave 

    Broccoli, like other cole crops, grows best in cool weather. Fall planting has two big advantages over spring planting when it comes to broccoli. First, although established broccoli plants can tolerate frost, tender broccoli seedlings are not as hardy, and early spring frosts can shock or even kill them.

    Additionally, since the florets are flower buds, they will open more slowly in cool weather, giving you more time to harvest. Keep in mind that broccoli does take several months to mature, so transplant a quick-grower, like Waltham, in mid-to-late summer for a timely fall harvest.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3–10
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Soil Needs: Rich, sandy
    • When to plant: 12 to 14 weeks before the first frost 
    • Spacing: 18 to 24 inches apart and rows 24 to 30 inches apart
  • 04 of 26

    Green Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)

    Kentucky Wonder Pole Beans

    The Spruce / Marie Iannotti

    There are two different types of green beans typically fostered by gardeners. Pole beans need a long growing season, allowing the vines to reach a mature height before they start setting beans. Bush varieties, on the other hand, will start producing in as little as 45 days, making them excellent candidates for a fall crop of beans.

    Bean plants are too tender to handle frost, so if an early frost threatens, toss a row cover over them until the temperatures climb again.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 2–10
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Soil Needs: Rich, well-drained
    • When to plant: Six to 12 weeks before the first frost 
    • Spacing: 4 to 6 inches apart and rows 18 to 24 inches apart
    Continue to 5 of 26 below
  • 05 of 26

    Cabbage (Brassica oleracea)

    cabbage growing

    The Spruce / K. Dave 

    Fall is the perfect growing weather for cabbage. While plants can grow in warmer weather, they need cooler temperatures in order to form a head. Cabbage needs anywhere from 90–120 days to mature, so a fall crop will be most likely if you plant seedlings in mid-to-late summer.

    Most of the varietals in the cabbage family are hardy enough to handle a light frost, so you can harvest them well into winter with some protection. Though they won't continue to grow when it's cold, they'll retain their freshness and get even sweeter.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 1–9
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
    • Soil Needs: Rich, well-drained
    • When to plant: 12 to 14 weeks before the first frost 
    • Spacing: 12 to 24 inches apart and rows 24 to 36 inches apart
  • 06 of 26

    Carrots (Daucus carota)

    harvested carrots

    The Spruce / K. Dave  

    Carrots are not the quickest growers, but some smaller varieties, like Thumbelina and Paris Market, will mature in about 50 days. Another option for growing traditional carrots is to sow them first in containers.

    Long window boxes with a depth of at least 6 inches are great for getting your seeds started until you can plant them in your garden in early fall.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3–10
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
    • Soil Needs: Loose, well-drained
    • When to plant: 10 to 12 weeks before the first frost 
    • Spacing: 1 to 3 inches apart and rows 12 to 24 inches apart
  • 07 of 26

    Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea)

    growing cauliflower

    The Spruce / K. Dave  

    Fall is typically a better time to grow cauliflower than in the spring, as the cool weather keeps the heads tight and more tender. Cauliflower is a slow grower, often taking between two and three months to mature, depending on the varietal.

    Keep in mind that cauliflower can only handle a mild frost (if that), so you'll want to plant yours in time for a mid-fall harvest. Pluck the cauliflower from your garden when its head reaches the desired size and its buds are still tight.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 2–11
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Soil Needs: Rich, well-drained
    • When to plant: Eight to 12 weeks before the first frost 
    • Spacing: 15 to 24 inches apart and rows 24 to 30 inches apart
  • 08 of 26

    Kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala)

    curly kale

    The Spruce / K. Dave  

    Kale is probably the easiest cole crop to grow. The seeds germinate in warm or cool soil, and it's grown for its leaves, so you don't have to worry about a head forming or the flowers bolting. The advantage of growing kale in the fall is the magic that happens to so many vegetables that are grown in cool weather or hit by a light frost—the leaves will still have a great texture, and the flavor will sweeten and deepen.

    Start seeds for fall harvesting in mid-to-late summer or transplant in late summer.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 7–9
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
    • Soil Needs: Loamy, moist but well-drained
    • When to plant: Six to eight weeks before the first frost 
    • Spacing: 12 to 24 inches apart in rows 24 to 30 inches apart
    Continue to 9 of 26 below
  • 09 of 26

    Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)

    heads of lettuce

    The Spruce / K. Dave  

    Lettuce can be planted pretty much all season. Most varieties take less than 50 days to mature, so you can start planting ​a seed in mid-August and succession plant into the fall months. The plants may grow more slowly than in the spring due to shorter days and lower temperatures, but the flavor will be sweeter and crisper.

    Because lettuce has shallow roots, it will require some protection against frost. If you plant your fall lettuce in pots, it's very easy to move it indoors to protect it from freezing temperatures—otherwise, you can cover it with burlap or another netting if frost is expected.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 4–9
    • Sun Exposure: Partial shade
    • Soil Needs: Loamy, moist but well-drained
    • When to plant: Six to eight weeks before the first frost 
    • Spacing: 4 to 16 inches apart (depending on the species) and rows 12 to 24 inches apart
  • 10 of 26

    Peas (Pisum sativum)

    pea pods growing

    The Spruce / K. Dave  

    Peas are another vegetable that loves to luxuriate in cool weather. Many short varieties will be ready to harvest within 50 to 60 days. Plant them in mid-to-late August—pea seeds will germinate more quickly in warm weather, but they will also need more water and a little protection from the strong sun while they are young.

    By the time they are ready to start flowering and forming peas, the days and nights should be the perfect temperature in fall to keep them going.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 2–9
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
    • Soil Needs: Loamy, well-drained
    • When to plant: 10 to 12 weeks before the first frost 
    • Spacing: 1 to 3 inches apart and rows 18 to 20 inches apart
  • 11 of 26

    Radishes (Raphanus sativus)

    French Breakfast Radishes

    The Spruce / Marie Iannotti

    Radishes grow quickly in cool, moist soil. Most of the problems associated with growing radishes in the spring (like a woody texture, hot or bitter taste, and small size) will be alleviated by sowing them in the fall instead.

    You may also want to experiment with a few varieties of "winter" radishes, like the black Spanish radish, which tends to grow more slowly and prefers to be planted in mid-summer and allowed to develop into fall.

    Generally, you can harvest radishes in late fall or early winter, or allow them to over-winter in the soil and harvest next spring.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 2–10
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Soil Needs: Loamy, sandy
    • When to plant: Four to 6 weeks before the first frost 
    • Spacing: 1 to 3 inches apart and rows 8 to 15 inches apart
  • 12 of 26

    Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)

    leafy spinach

    The Spruce / K. Dave 

    If you've been frustrated by your summer spinach bolting before it's even large enough to eat, you are going to love growing it in the fall. Spinach only takes about 30 to 40 days to mature (even less if you like small, tender leaves), so you can get in several successions of spinach throughout the fall months. Spinach seeds are also perfect for winter sowing.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 2–9
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Soil Needs: Loamy, moist but well-drained
    • When to plant: Six to eight weeks before the first frost 
    • Spacing: 2 to 6 inches apart and rows 12 to 30 inches apart
    Continue to 13 of 26 below
  • 13 of 26

    Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris var. cicla)

    swiss chard growing

    The Spruce / K. Dave  

    If you've already been harvesting your Swiss chard as cut-and-come-again, you won't even have to reseed it for fall. The plants have probably slowed down a bit during summer, but with a little cool air and water, they'll ramp back into full production come fall.

    They may even survive the winter but harvest them quickly in spring before they start to bolt to seed and get tough and bitter.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3–10
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
    • Soil Needs: Loamy, rich
    • When to plant: Six to eight weeks before the first frost 
    • Spacing: 12 to 15 inches apart and rows 24 to 30 inches apart
  • 14 of 26

    Turnips (Brassica rapa)

    turnip harvest

    The Spruce / K. Dave  

    Turnips are a root vegetable, meaning they need a long season (100 or more days) to mature. However, they grow the largest and most flavorful if they're allowed to mature in the fall. Since they're grown for their roots and their tops are fairly hardy, it doesn't matter too much if they get hit by frost—they may even end up tasting sweeter.

    Turnips mature a little faster than their cousin, the rutabaga, and don't improve if left in the soil too long, so succession plants and use as they mature.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 2–9
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Soil Needs: Loamy, sandy
    • When to plant: 10 to 12 weeks before the first frost 
    • Spacing: 2 to 6 inches apart and rows 12 to 30 inches apart
  • 15 of 26

    Arugula (Eruca versicaria)

    Close up of fresh arugula leaves

    The Spruce / K. Dave

    Like many leafy crops, arugula is hard-frost tender. However, it only takes 40 to 50 days to harvest. So, you can still appreciate a bountiful crop of this tangy, fast-growing vegetable into the fall. Plant successively in two-to-three-week intervals to harvest arugula right up until the fall frosts arrive, and even further if you protect your plants with row covers.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 11
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
    • Soil Needs: Loamy, moist, well-drained
    • When to plant: Eight to 10 weeks before fall frosts
    • Spacing: 8 to 12 inches apart and rows 15 to 24 inches apart
  • 16 of 26

    Brussels Sprouts (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera)

    Close up of the top of a sprouting brussels sprout plant

    The Spruce / K. Dave 

    Part of the cabbage family, slow-growing Brussels sprouts are a classic Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday staple. To make sure you have plenty of these nutritional powerhouses for the fall and winter festivities, allow at least 80 days before harvesting Brussels sprouts. Some varieties can take as much as 120 days to mature. And don't worry about those fall and winter frosts—exposing Brussels sprouts to some chilly temperatures actually improves their flavor. Established plants can handle temperatures as low as zero degrees Fahrenheit.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 10
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Soil Needs: Loamy, well-drained
    • When to plant: Eight to 15 weeks before fall frosts
    • Spacing: 18 to 24 inches apart and rows 30 to 36 inches apart
    Continue to 17 of 26 below
  • 17 of 26

    Chinese Cabbage (Brassica rapa Pekinensis)

    Close up of a mature Chinese Cabbage ready to harvest

    The Spruce / K. Dave

    The Chinese or Napa cabbage is a fan of cool growing conditions and short days, so it's the perfect vegetable to grow in the fall. They typically take 70 to 90 days to be ready for harvest. Their tender leaves aren't as cold-hardy as some European cabbage varieties, so don't plant them too late. They grow best in temperatures around 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, and a row cover can help protect them from chillier temperatures.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 7
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
    • Soil Needs: Loamy, sandy, well-drained
    • When to plant: Six to seven weeks before the first frost
    • Spacing: 12 to 20 inches apart and rows 18 to 30 inches apart
  • 18 of 26

    Celery (Apium graveolens var. duce)

    Celery growing from the base

    The Spruce / Cori Sears

    Celery appreciates a long cool season for best results, and it's not the easiest vegetable to grow. But if you can offer the right conditions, their crunchy flavor makes it worth it.

    Generally, the seeds are started indoors and then transplanted outdoors later in the season. Don't expect a harvest for 70 to 120 days with these slow-growing veggies. Plants transplanted in June are usually ready to harvest in October. As the plants reach maturity, they can handle near-freezing temperatures, making these a good option for harvesting late fall to mid-winter. However, temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit for more than ten consecutive days in the early stages can lead to bolting and the plant prematurely flowering.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 6
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Soil Needs: Moist but well-drained
    • When to plant: 10 to 12 weeks before the first frost
    • Spacing: 6 to 8 inches apart and rows 20 to 24 inches apart
  • 19 of 26

    Collard Greens (Brassica oleracea L. subsp. acephala)

    Close up of the top of a collard green

    The Spruce / Autumn Wood

    Collard greens have the sweetest flavor when exposed to some cool weather, so they're perfect veggies for fall harvesting. Most collard green varieties are ready to harvest in 55 to 75 days. Light frosts aren't a problem for these cooking greens, but prolonged sub-zero temperatures are.

    Waiting for a later harvest makes sense in regions where late summer temperatures are hot to prevent the plant from bolting (sudden, premature flowering).

    • USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 11
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun, part shade
    • Soil Needs: Moist, fertile, well-drained
    • When to plant: Six to eight weeks before fall frosts
    • Spacing: 18 to 24 inches apart and rows
  • 20 of 26

    Green Onions (Allium fistulosum)

    Cluster of harvested green onions

    The Spruce / K. Dave

    If you don't have the patience to wait for classic onions and hate peeling them in the kitchen, try fast-growing, easy-to-cultivate green onions (also known as scallions in their young form) instead. They only take 60 to 80 days to harvest.

    While they might typically be planted in spring (hence them also being referred to as spring onions), they're perfect hardy perennials for your fall vegetable plot. Optimal growing temperatures are between 68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit, but these plants can survive heavy frosts once established.

    Green onions are toxic to pets, so keep them away from curious cats or dogs.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 9
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Soil Needs: Sandy, loamy, well-drained
    • When to plant: Four to eight weeks before fall frosts
    • Spacing: 1 inch apart and rows 12 to 18 inches apart
    Continue to 21 of 26 below
  • 21 of 26

    Leeks (Allium ampeloprasum)

    Leeks in the ground ready to pull

    The Spruce / Randi Rhoades

    Slow-growing leeks are typically associated with spring planting, but there are many late-season varieties. Some to consider include 'Titan' and 'Otina'. (taking around 120 days to harvest). 'Giant Musselburgh' and 'Laura' are even later-season, very hardy varieties, but they take longer to mature—150 and 180 days, respectively.

    Don't forget that, as part of the Allium family, leeks are toxic to dogs and cats. If your pet likes to nibble, make sure you protect your plants.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Soil Needs: Loamy, well-drained
    • When to plant: Eight to 10 weeks before the first frost.
    • Spacing: 6 to 8 inches apart and rows 12 to 16 inches apart
  • 22 of 26

    Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum)

    Bunch of potatoes sitting on top of soil

    The Spruce / K. Dave

    Potatoes are perfect fall crops if you live in a hot region—they don't grow well during very hot summer months but can't withstand heavy frosts. Even if you live in a cooler climate, there are hardier, late-season varieties that do well being harvested in fall. Some popular options include 'Katahdin', 'Kinnebec', and 'Elba', although they aren't as widely available as spring varieties. Most varieties take around 90 to 120 days to reach maturity.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 10
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Soil Needs: Loamy
    • When to plant: 12 to 15 weeks before fall frosts
    • Spacing: 8 to 12 inches apart and rows 24 to 36 inches apart
  • 23 of 26

    Pumpkins (Curbita spp.)

    Cluster of different colored pumpkins

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Pumpkins are synonymous with fall. However, plan ahead if you want to bake homemade pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving or carve your own Halloween Jack-o-lanterns. These plants are long-season growers, typically taking between 90 and 110 days to reach maturity. There are many pumpkin varieties to choose from. Most can handle light but not hard frosts, so plan your planting dates carefully.

    If you're planting a pumpkin to harvest for Halloween, some varieties worth considering include 'Autumn Gold' (70 to 75 days to maturity), 'Magic Lantern' (100 to 110 days to maturity), and 'Blanco' (100 days to maturity).

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Soil Needs: Moist, loamy
    • When to plant: 10 to 12 weeks before fall frosts
    • Spacing: Space rows 4 to 6 feet apart
  • 24 of 26

    Winter Squash (Cucurbita maxima)

    Winter squash sitting on top of garden soil

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Winter squash are perfect fall crops, provided they won't be subject to hard frosts while growing. These easy, slow-growing fruits typically take 75 to 120 to reach maturity and cope well with light frosts. Some winter squash varieties are hardier than others, and you might even be able to harvest them in winter (hence their name). Frosty weather can actually be a bonus, providing temperatures don't drop below 28 degrees Fahrenheit. It often kills off the thick leaves, making it easier to assess when your squash is ripe and ready to harvest.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Soil Needs: Loamy
    • When to plant: 10 to 16 weeks before the first frost
    • Spacing: 18 to 36 inches apart and rows 3 to 6 feet apart
    Continue to 25 of 26 below
  • 25 of 26

    Yellow Squash (Cucurbita pepo)

    Close up of the foliage and fruit of the yellow squash

    The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

    This fast-growing, productive squash needs warm temperatures to reach maturity, so it's best reserved for regions that experience mild falls. Their growth slows or stops when temperatures drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it reaches maturity in 45 to 55 days, so it is easy to squeeze in planting some yellow squash before those first frosts hit.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 10
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Soil Needs: Loamy, well-drained
    • When to plant: 7 to 8 weeks before fall frosts
    • Spacing: 18 to 24 inches apart and rows 24 to 36 inches apart
  • 26 of 26

    Zucchini

    Close up of zucchini in flower growing in the ground

    The Spruce / K. Dave

    The zucchini is another easy, abundant, and fast-growing summer squash variety. However, if temperatures are mild, you can still enjoy a harvest of this fruit well into the fall. Just carefully calculate planting dates, as these are not frost-tolerant plants.

    Zucchinis typically reach maturity in 45 to 55 days (but some varieties are ready to eat in 40 days and others in 70 days), so pay attention to your hardiness zone to avoid getting caught out.

    And pick companion plants that can handle being beside these prolific producers and spreaders. Beans and corn are classic zucchini companion plants, but ensure whatever you pick can also be harvested in fall.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Soil Needs: Loamy, well-drained
    • When to plant: 4 to 8 weeks before the last frost date
    • Spacing: 18 to 24 inches apart and rows 6 feet apart

Fall Garden Tips

Whatever fall vegetables you decide to plant, follow these tips to extend your harvest, care for your garden, and produce the tastiest crops.

  • Expect longer growing times: As temperatures drop, this can influence growing times. You might need to add a week or two to the expected time your vegetables take to reach maturity. This is especially true for plants typically grown in warm summer months (like zucchini and other squash).
  • Succession planting: As the growing season is coming to an end, staggering the planting of your fast-growing fall vegetables, like arugula and zucchini, means you can maximize crop outputs and extend harvest times. This is especially helpful if unexpectedly early frosts arrive. You won't be caught short if you are relying on late-planted frost-tender crops.
  • Add mulch: Mulch is a fantastic fall vegetable garden tool. It helps keep soils cool when falls are unseasonably warm and insulates plant roots when early frosts arrive.
  • Prepare the soil: If you're planting in a space that previously had a summer vegetable variety, rotate your crops. Planting a different but compatible family helps promote healthy soil and reduces the risk of spreading pests and diseases. And don't forget to test the soil and amend it with organic matter and fertilizer as appropriate.
  • Consider pelletized seeds: They're coated in clay and are available for vegetables that take a long time to germinate, like carrots. They retain water better than uncoated seeds, which means less watering and TLC from you.
FAQ
  • When should I plan a fall garden?

    Timing is everything when it comes to a fall garden. Know your hardiness zone, find vegetables that thrive in the expected fall temperatures, and work out how long it takes for them to harvest. Because some vegetables can take as much as four months before they are ready to harvest, you might need to start planting as early as the end of May or beginning of June for a fall harvest

  • What seeds should I start for a fall garden?

    Any of the vegetables in our list above can be started from seed for a fall garden. And if you live in a region with very mild fall temperatures, you can also consider crops such as summer squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers. Just ensure you start them early enough so they aren't impacted by the arrival of fall frosts.

  • Should I add anything to my garden soil in the fall?

    Before adding any amendments, loosen your soil, as it can become compacted over the spring and summer. Replenishing the soil with organic matter, such as compost, and a slow-acting organic fertilizer can also be beneficial. Organic matter helps improve soil texture and moisture-retention properties and supports nutrient uptake and beneficial microorganisms.

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Season Extenders and Growing Fall Vegetables. PennState University

  2. Brussels Sprouts Prolong Fall Harvest. University of Missouri Integrated Pest Management.

  3. Cabbage & Chinese Cabbage. Clemson University Home & Garden Information Center.

  4. Celery. Oregon State University.

  5. Allium spp Toxicosis in Animals. Merck Veterinary Manual.

  6. Leeks. ASPCA.