PREPARE NOW FOR YOUR FALL & WINTER HARVEST

If you desire to harvest fresh vegetables in the fall, when the cooler weather arrives, mid to late summer is the time  to start sowing for your fall garden. Lettuces, collards, mustards, kale, as well as root crops like beets, carrots, turnips. and radishes are all good fall harvest crops. Bush beans have a shorter maturity time compared to pole beans and can still produce before the first frost. Zucchini, and yellow squashes grow pretty fast (60 days) and are also great crops to plant for a fall harvest.

Here are some suggestions for late summer vegetables to plant from seeds. These vegetables can be planted from seeds and will still have time to mature before the colder weather sets in.

It is not too late to start some Leafy Greens like Spinach which prefers cooler temperatures and can be harvested quickly. Lettuce varieties like leaf lettuce and romaine can mature quickly. Kale tolerates light frosts and cooler temperatures. Swiss Chard is hardy and can be harvested even after light frosts.

Root Vegetables are packed with flavor, and easy to grow. Consider radishes, they are fast-growing and can be harvested in about a month. Carrots can tolerate cooler weather and will be ready in about 70-80 days. Both the roots and the greens of beets and turnips are edible and do well in cooler temperatures.

Brassicas are Fall and Winter favorites. Broccoli can be planted in late summer for a fall harvest. Cabbages prefer cooler weather and can be harvested before heavy frosts. Also plant some Cauliflower, which does well in cooler temperatures and can be planted in late summer. 

Bush Beans have a shorter maturity time compared to pole beans and can still produce before the first frost. Some Herbs like Cilantro prefer cooler temperatures and can be harvested continuously. Parsley is hardy and can tolerate light frosts.

A FEW TIPS:

To determine when to plant, know the estimated first frost dates for your zone, and subtract the estimated growing time.  Amend your soil with compost or fertilizer where summer crops have grown. And add a layer of mulch to help hold in moisture, and protect your crops from late summer heat.