This is the late-summer planting guide for gardeners who aren’t ready to quit.
Just because summer’s winding down doesn’t mean your garden has to! In my latest video, I shared a few of my favorite quick-grow crops you can plant right now to squeeze in one more harvest before frost.
But this is the complete list — 15+ crops you can start today, along with days-to-harvest, variety ideas, and pro tips to help you make the most of your late-season garden.
Why Fall Planting Works
Late summer and early fall are a gardener’s secret weapon. Cooler nights, softer sunlight, and fewer pests give plants the perfect chance to grow strong and sweet. Many crops actually taste better after a touch of chill — like spinach, carrots, and kale.
Plus, fall planting helps you get ahead for next spring: healthy soil, refreshed beds, and consistent planting rhythms all add up to stronger gardens year after year.
The Complete Quick-Grow List
Here’s your extended list of fast, forgiving, and flavorful crops to tuck into the soil now:
1. Radishes (~25 days)
Fast, crunchy, and fun — radishes are perfect for impatient gardeners.
Varieties to Try: French Breakfast, Cherry Belle, Easter Egg
2. Leaf Lettuces (30–45 days)
Go for cut-and-come-again mixes so you’re harvesting in weeks, not months.
Favorites: Buttercrunch, Little Gem, Mesclun blends
3. Spinach (40–50 days)
Cool nights make spinach sweeter — a fall staple.
Best Picks: Bloomsdale Longstanding, Space Spinach
4. Arugula (30 days)
Peppery and fast-growing — plant thickly and harvest baby leaves.
Pro Tip: Sow successions every 1–2 weeks for a constant supply.
5. Bok Choy (Pak Choi) (45 days)
A fall superstar with crisp stems and tender leaves, perfect for stir-fries.
Varieties: Shanghai Green, Joi Choi
Tip: Loves shorter days and cooler weather.
6. Asian Greens (30–45 days)
Mizuna, tatsoi, and komatsuna all thrive in cooler temps.
Pro Tip: Mix them with lettuces for a spicy, flavorful fall salad.
7. Baby Carrots (50–60 days)
Plant shorter-season varieties for sweet, snackable carrots.
Try These: Parisian Market, Little Finger, Adelaide
Pro Tip: Cover lightly with mulch to retain moisture during germination.
8. Beets (50–60 days)
Tender greens and sweet roots give you a double harvest.
Varieties: Chioggia, Detroit Dark Red, Touchstone Gold
Tip: Sow every two weeks for continuous harvests.
9. Swiss Chard (50 days)
A vibrant, versatile green that thrives in cooler weather.
Favorites: Bright Lights, Fordhook Giant
Tip: Harvest baby leaves early for salads and let the rest grow for sautés.
10. Kale (50–65 days)
Cool-weather superstar with rich, flavorful leaves.
Varieties: Lacinato (Dinosaur), Red Russian, Winterbor
Pro Tip: Kale gets sweeter after the first light frost.
11. Mustard Greens (30–40 days)
Spicy, flavorful, and lightning-fast.
Varieties: Southern Giant Curled, Red Giant
Tip: Pair with arugula for a peppery salad mix.
12. Turnips (40–55 days)
Underrated and incredibly versatile. Harvest small for tender roots and greens.
Varieties: Hakurei, Purple Top, White Globe
13. Collard Greens (55–65 days)
Hardy and heat-tolerant but even better in cool temps.
Varieties: Georgia Southern, Champion, Morris Heading
Tip: Pick leaves young for tender, mild flavor.
14. Cilantro & Dill (30–40 days)
Cooler nights bring these herbs back to life.
Pro Tip: Cilantro bolts in summer heat but thrives in fall — sow small batches every two weeks for steady harvests.
15. Garlic (Plant now, harvest next summer)
Fall is the perfect time to plant garlic. While you won’t harvest the bulbs until next summer, planting now lets them develop strong roots over the winter for bigger, better bulbs later. Break apart your bulbs and plant individual cloves, pointed side up, about 2 inches deep and 4–6 inches apart. Cover with a light layer of mulch to protect them during the colder months.
Varieties to Try:
- Softneck Garlic — Best for warmer regions and long storage (Silverskin, Inchelium Red)
- Hardneck Garlic — Perfect for colder areas and produces delicious scapes in spring (Music, German Extra Hardy)
Pro Tip: Skip grocery store garlic and buy quality seed garlic for stronger, healthier plants.
Pro Tips for Late-Season Success
- Prep your beds: Pull spent plants and refresh the soil with compost before sowing.
- Sow a little extra: Germination slows in cooler temps, so scatter more seeds than usual.
- Keep it moist: Water deeply but gently — young seedlings require consistent moisture.
- Know your frost date: Count backward from your area’s first expected frost to pick crops with enough time to mature.
- Use mulch wisely: A thin layer of straw, leaves, or pine needles keeps soil warm and reduces evaporation.
Why I Love Fall Gardening
There’s something magical about this time of year. The pace slows, the light softens, and the garden feels less frantic. You get to savor each harvest, enjoy cooler evenings outdoors, and tuck tiny bits of hope into the soil — knowing they’ll reward you soon.
So, if you’re tempted to call it quits on your garden… don’t. There’s still time to plant, grow, and harvest. And trust me — your future self (and your salad bowl) will thank you.
Ready to Get Planting?
Your garden season isn’t over yet. There’s still time to tuck a few seeds into the soil, enjoy a fresh harvest, and even set yourself up for next spring. Whether you plant just one crop or several, a little effort now can bring big rewards later.