Best Vegetables for Fall Gardening

Here is a list of the best vegetables to grow in our gardens this fall.

Summer is a great time to plant a lot of vegetables, but winter gardening has some stand out winners. Fall gardening can start in September in many areas, and in October in the South and Southwest. What’s unique about this growing season is that it can be separated into two short growing seasons or one long season. In areas that receive a hard freeze in December or January, you can protect the plants and they will come back, creating two seasons. In milder climates, there is one lone continuous winter season that kicks off with fall planting. Here are the best veggies for fall gardening that can be planted and harvested whether in a short or long growing season – make sure to check a number of days to maturity!

Best Vegetables for Fall Gardening

Best Fall Vegetables to Grow from Seed

Seed packets make it so you can try out numerous different types of vegetables for very little investment. Who knew there were over a dozen different types of kale or hundreds of varieties of tomatoes?

The best fall vegetables to grow from seeds are:

• kale (Kale Growing Tips)
• spinach (Spinach Growing Tips)
• lettuces (Lettuce Growing Tips)
• arugula (Arugula Growing Tips)
• Swiss Chard (Swiss Chard Growing Tips)
• snow peas
• shelling peas (Pea Growing Tips)
• beets (Beet Growing Tips)
• turnips
• parsnips (Parsnip Growing Tips
• radishes (Radish Growing Tips)
• carrots (Carrot Growing Tips)
• onions (Onion Growing Tips)

Best Vegetables to Grow from Transplants

Vegetables that take a little bit longer to get to maturity should be grown from transplants in the fall. When you want to grow a head vegetable, like cabbage, cauliflower, or broccoli, always grow from transplant or you might run out of good weather. Brussels Sprouts are another vegetable that does best when grown from a transplant.

Start these plants as seeds indoors during the summer. Then transplant them outside once the worst of the summer heat has passed.

The best fall vegetables to grow as transplants are:

• Cabbage (Cabbage Growing Tips)
• Cauliflower (Cauliflower Growing Tips)
• Broccoli ( Broccoli Growing Tips)
• Brussels Sprouts ( Brussels Sprouts Growing Tips)

Be creative this year and choose a plant you have always wanted to grow and try it in your fall garden. Choose different varieties and see what your family likes to eat more or what grows better in your garden.  The possibilities are endless when choosing great tasting, homegrown vegetables for your fall gardening project.

More Fall Gardening Tips

Fall Vegetable Gardening for Beginners

Fall Vegetable Gardening Guide

5 Onion Varieties to Grow in the Fall

7 Flowers to Grow in the Fall