Choosing what to plant in the fall garden comes down to knowing your region.
Fall gardening offers a refreshing change of pace from the peak of summer. With cooler temperatures, fewer insect pests and improved growing conditions for many crops, it’s a time we cherish for working in the garden. In fact, some vegetables—like carrots and kale—become sweeter after a light frost.
But not all fall crops thrive in fall. We learned this the hard way. What you can grow—and when you should plant—depends on where you live and when frost hits your region. Knowing a few important details about your area will help you choose crops that will mature before cold weather sets in or survive into early winter.
Understanding fall gardening basics
Before you start planting, take some time to understand your local growing conditions —especially your USDA Hardiness Zone and your average first frost date. These two factors will determine which crops you can grow successfully and how much time you have before temperatures dip too low.
USDA hardiness zone
Your USDA Hardiness Zone reflects the average minimum winter temperature in your area. It helps you choose crops that can withstand the cold temperatures likely to arrive in your region. This information is so important, we wrote an entire guide all about it called What is Your Growing Zone and How Do You Find It?
Here in the Pacific Northwest, we’re snugly located between zones 7 and 8, which means we have a long growing season for the North, but one that can still experience cold snaps. Our cool, wet falls provide moderate temperatures enjoyed by cold hardy crops. In our region, it’s the shortening days that really limit what we can grow at this time of year.
Average first frost date
Your average first frost date tells you when to expect the first light freeze in fall. This is the key date for planning fall plantings. Since this date varies a lot depending on your location, we recommend checking with your local extension service or entering your zip code into a frost date calculator. Once you have this information, you’re ready to choose your plants.
Choosing the best plants for your garden
We have some recommendations by region below, but before we get there, here’s some general information about picking crops suited to your area. Now that you have your average first frost date and growing zone, you’re all set.
Count backward from your first frost date.
Growers make things easy for us by listing the “days to maturity” on every seed packet. Using your first frost date, count backward to figure out when to plant so the crop can mature before freezing temperatures arrive. For example, if your first frost date is around September 30 and you want to plant a variety of lettuce that matures in 50 days, you’ll need to plant the seeds no later than August 10.
Add extra days for slower growth.
There’s something else to consider, however. If your area experiences cooler temperatures and shorter days in early fall, plant growth may slow down. To compensate for this, add 7–10 days to the days-to-maturity number to be on the safe side. For example, if you were planting the lettuce variety above in a cooler area, plant it at least 60 – 65 days before your first frost instead of the average 50.
Use season extenders when needed.
You can also help your plants along with tools like row covers, cold frames, and cloches which protect crops from frost and give you extra growing time—sometimes several weeks. These are especially helpful for root crops and leafy greens. Using these, you can trim off a few of those extra days added above and speed up your harvest.
Traits of great fall crops
As noted above, not all vegetables thrive in fall. The best fall crops share certain traits:
- Cold tolerance – These vegetables can handle light frosts or even thrive after they’ve hit (e.g., kale, carrots, spinach).
- Speedy growth – These vegetables mature quickly, making the most of the shrinking season (e.g., radishes, mustard greens, arugula).
- Root hardiness – These vegetables can sit in the ground even after frost (e.g., beets, turnips, parsnips).
Related: What to Plant in the Fall Garden
Many varieties are now labeled as “cold-hardy” or “early maturing” by the seed grower to help identify plants suitable for the fall garden. Watch for these when considering which seeds or starts to grow.
Our fall garden recommendations by region
Northeast & Upper Midwest (Zones 3–5)
If you live in the Northeast or Upper Midwest—think Minnesota, Maine or northern New York—fall gardening is all about speed and frost resilience. These regions often see their first frost by late September or early October, which means the growing window is short.
Thankfully, radishes, looseleaf lettuce, baby spinach and arugula are all quick to grow. Some mature in as little as 25–30 days, making them ideal for late summer planting. Putting on quick growth before the cold sets in is the name of the game for these crops.
At the same time, kale, beets, turnips, kohlrabi and carrots can handle chilly nights and sweeten up after a light frost. There are also fewer pests around to torment your root crops beneath the soil surface.
Start greens indoors or use row covers to give seedlings a head start, especially if you’re planting in late summer when soil may be cooling quickly. Stick to crops with 60 days or less to maturity to ensure they reach harvest before hard frost sets in. Mulch soil to retain warmth and protect roots from sudden temperature drops.
Mid-Atlantic & Great Lakes (Zones 5–7)
Gardeners in regions like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, and parts of southern New England enjoy a more forgiving gardening window at this time of year. With the first frost typically not arriving until mid to late October—or even later—you have time to grow a wider variety of crops.
Cool-season choices like lettuce, green onions and Swiss chard thrive in the mild fall temperatures of this region. Lettuce matures quickly, making it perfect for staggered planting, while green onions and Swiss chard tolerate light frosts.
Broccoli and beets are also excellent choices for a fall harvest. Broccoli develops better flavor in cooler weather, and beets offer a double reward: tender greens and sweet roots.
Start brassicas like broccoli in early August to give them enough time to establish themselves before the first frost. We also recommend mulching around plants to help retain soil warmth and moisture. Sow greens in succession every couple of weeks in August and early September for a steady harvest through fall.
Plains & Rockies (Zones 4–6)
In regions with variable fall weather—such as the Plains and Rockies—gardeners must be prepared for sudden frosts that can arrive with little warning. These unpredictable conditions make it important to choose crops that are both cold-hardy and adaptable.
Great options for this area include spinach, kale, carrots, turnips and cabbage. These vegetables can tolerate cold snaps and even improve in flavor after a light frost.
To give your crops a better chance at success, plant in cold frames or poly tunnels over raised garden beds. Be ready to use frost blankets to protect your plants when temperatures drop suddenly.
Pacific Northwest (Zones 7–9)
In areas like the Pacific Northwest, fall tends to be cool and wet with only mild frosts, creating ideal conditions for many leafy greens and root crops. Top performers in this climate include leeks, collards, mustard greens, fava beans and overwintering carrots, which can be left in the ground and harvested later in winter.
If covered, cabbages can also hold in the garden, but beware of hard frosts that may crack the heads if they follow a bout of rain.
To get the most from your fall garden, choose mildew-resistant varieties, especially for leafy crops that might struggle with prolonged dampness. Also, keep a close eye out for slugs and root rot, which are common in wet fall soil. Mulching and good air circulation can help reduce these risks and keep your fall garden healthy, though mulching may also help slugs find perfect places to hide.
Southwest & Southern California (Zones 8–10)
In this region, the long growing season and minimal risk of frost make fall an ideal time to grow cool-season crops. Think of fall here as a second spring—perfect for planting tender greens like lettuce, spinach, bok choy and cilantro, as well as quick-growing favorites like radishes and peas.
To keep your garden producing steadily, sow new seeds every 2–3 weeks through the fall. This succession planting ensures a continuous harvest well into winter. Early in the season, use shade cloth or plant in partial shade to protect seedlings from lingering summer heat and help them establish more easily.
Southeast & Gulf Coast (Zones 8–11)
Mild fall and winter weather in the Southeast and Gulf Coast create an extended growing season that’s perfect for a wide range of cool-season crops. In many areas, fall and winter are preferable to summer growing, since many plants struggle under the blazing summer sun.
With little risk of hard frost, gardeners can enjoy a productive fall and even winter harvests of collards, peas, mustard greens, turnips, carrots, broccoli, herbs and more.
Fall planting typically begins in late September, once the intense summer heat has eased. This region is especially well-suited for leafy greens and root crops, which thrive in cooler temperatures and continue growing well into the winter months. Keep the soil moist and watch for pests, and you’ll enjoy fresh harvests long after many other regions have put their gardens to bed.
Fall gardening success
Success at this time of year comes down to planting the right crops at the right time for your region. No matter where you live, understanding your local climate and choosing crops that match is key to a productive harvest.
We particularly love fall for the slower pace: now is your chance to take notes and learn from each season, since fall is often a quieter, more relaxed time to be in the garden.
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