Think it’s too late to grow fresh vegetables this year? Think again! With the right crops, you can sow now and enjoy homegrown food in just a few weeks. These fast-growing veggies thrive in the cooler autumn weather, making them perfect for a late-season planting. Here’s a guide to quick crops and tips to protect your fall garden for a bountiful harvest.
1. Radishes – Tender and Spicy
- Time to Harvest: 30 days
Crisp, crunchy radishes are one of the fastest-growing vegetables, ready in just a month. They thrive in cooler autumn weather, which also reduces pests like flea beetles.
How to Sow: - Sow seeds directly into well-drained soil, about 0.5 inches (1 cm) apart.
- Water regularly to keep the soil moist.
- Harvest when they’re marble-sized for tender, flavorful roots.
2. Arugula – Peppery Salad Greens
- Time to Harvest: 40 days
Arugula loves cooler temperatures and can grow even in partial shade. Its spicy leaves add zest to salads and sandwiches.
How to Sow: - Scatter seeds on the soil surface, lightly rake them in, and press gently to ensure good soil contact.
- Water gently and keep the soil moist.
- Harvest as baby leaves within five weeks for the best flavor.
Alternative: Try mustard greens, which are similarly spicy and grow just as fast.
3. Spinach – A Nutritional Powerhouse
- Time to Harvest: 40 days
Spinach grows quickly and thrives in autumn’s cooler conditions. Look for fast-growing varieties to maximize your harvest.
How to Sow: - Sow seeds about 0.5 inches (1 cm) deep in rows spaced 12 inches (30 cm) apart.
- Alternatively, start seeds in plug trays and transplant them into garden beds after earlier crops are harvested.
- Harvest outer leaves for a continuous supply.
4. Lettuce – Repeat Harvests of Baby Leaves
- Time to Harvest: 30 days
Loose-leaf lettuce varieties are ideal for a quick, continuous harvest.
How to Sow: - Sow seeds thinly in rows spaced 6 inches (15 cm) apart.
- Water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist.
- Begin harvesting tender leaves as soon as they’re big enough, leaving the center to regrow.
5. Baby Kale – For Salads and Sautés
- Time to Harvest: 30 days
Baby kale leaves are perfect for salads or quick sautés. Cooler weather enhances their flavor, making them sweeter.
How to Sow: - Broadcast seeds over the soil or sow in rows, then rake them in lightly and water.
- Thin seedlings to 6 inches (15 cm) apart as they grow.
- Harvest young leaves continuously to encourage new growth.
6. Salad Onions – Quick Greens
- Time to Harvest: 45 days
While full-sized onions take longer, salad onions can provide fresh greens within weeks.
How to Sow: - Choose winter-hardy varieties and sow seeds thinly in rows 6 inches (15 cm) apart.
- Start thinning seedlings once they’re a few inches tall and use the thinnings in salads.
7. Beets – A Two-for-One Crop
- Time to Harvest: 50 days
Beets offer both tender greens and small, sweet roots for late-season salads.
How to Sow: - Sow seeds 1 inch (2 cm) apart and 0.5 inches (1 cm) deep in rows.
- Thin seedlings to 3 inches (8 cm) apart.
- Harvest greens as they grow, and pull up baby beets when they’re about the size of a ping-pong ball.
Protecting Fall Plantings
Cold Protection
- Use low tunnels made from arches of water piping covered with garden fleece or row covers. These can extend the growing season by up to two weeks, giving your crops precious extra time to mature.
Slug Defense
- Slugs love tender seedlings. Combat them by:
- Keeping grass around garden beds short to reduce hiding spots.
- Setting beer or yeast traps at the edges of beds to lure slugs away.
- Encouraging birds to patrol the area for natural slug control.
Why Plant Now?
Autumn planting lets you make the most of your garden space, ensuring it stays productive even as temperatures drop. With just a little effort, you’ll enjoy fresh, flavorful veggies well into the cooler months. Don’t wait—get sowing today and harvest the rewards before winter arrives!
4o