As the weather begins to cool and signal the end of summer it does not mean that garden season has to end. There are several fall/autumn vegetables that can still be planted. Depending on what part of the world you live in, but they will produce a late fall crop or be ready to harvest in early spring.
Planting certain crops in early fall in mild climates will enable you to harvest fresh produce throughout most of the winter. Cabbage, kale, broccoli, and other cruciferous vegetables grow well in cool weather and so do these 5 vegetables.
Asparagus
Asparagus is a perennial garden vegetable. You can plant once in the fall and harvest for the next 15 years.
Plant in full sun and well-draining soil in angled rows that are slightly north-west or south-east so the above-ground asparagus fern that grows during the winter will receive full sun.
Set asparagus plants 18-inches (45cm) apart, with the crown above the roots and cover with 2-inches (5cm) of soil. As the plant grows pull more soil on top to keep it buried throughout the winter.
When spears have matured, harvest daily for the 8-week season in the spring. Snap off the spears just below the soil level when the spears are 6-8 inches (15-20cm) tall. After harvesting, allow the spears to grow and produce their fern-like foliage in the fall.
Broad Bean
Broad beans are heavy producers that will yield a large harvest in a small plot of ground. They are cheap and easy to grow and an ideal vegetable to plant with kids to get them interested in gardening.
Plant broad bean seeds in the fall and they will germinate within 3-weeks. They overwinter during the coldest months but resume rapid growth in spring. They provide you with a very early spring crop.
In climates that have severe winters go ahead and plant in early fall. Cover the broad bean seedlings with a cloche or some other type of covering to protect them from harsh winter weather. Remove the covering as soon as the weather begins to warm in late winter/early spring and they will resume growing.
Plant seeds in a full sun location that provides shelter from wind. Incorporate plenty of organic matter into the soil before planting broad beans. Allow some of the broad beans to remain on plants to mature and dry out. Then harvest the dry pods for seeds to plant next fall.
Carrots
This delicious root crop is easy to plant and grow in the fall. Carrots will provide you with two vegetables on the same plant since the green tops are edible too.
In climates that have cold winters, a clear plastic tote can be used as a cloche to cover a small section of growing carrots. Use only clear plastic and it will act as a mini-greenhouse for the carrots. Keep soil watered and harvest carrots as needed.
Climates with mild winters can grow carrots year-round without the need for covering unless weather turns unexpectedly cold. Carrots grow well in all USDA hardiness zones and seeds can be planted monthly for a continual harvest.
If planting in-ground, work the soil to 12-inches (30cm) deep. Then add 4-inches (10cm) of compost and 2-inches (5cm) of sand and lightly mix the soil thoroughly.
When planting carrots in containers or raised beds, make sure they are at least 12-inches (30cm) deep. Then fill with a mixture of 70% potting soil, 10% compost, and 20% sand.
Sow carrot seeds on top of prepared soil in early fall. Cover seeds lightly with potting soil, water in well. Then add 1-inch (2.5cm) of hay to prevent the sunlight from shining on the seedlings. Once plants are 1-inch (2.5cm) tall, thin them out to 3-inches (7.5cm) apart.
Garlic
Fall planting gives the garlic cloves time to develop a root system before winter. You will harvest larger garlic cloves the following spring.
Plant in full sun in well-draining soil. Snap off firm cloves from the outside of the garlic bulb. Plant each clove 2-inches (5cm) deep and 3-inches (7.5cm) apart with the pointed tip facing upward. Water garlic and cover with 6-inches (15cm) of straw.
Keep the soil moist throughout the fall and winter but stop watering when the green above-ground shoots turn brown in early spring. The brown shoots indicate the garlic is almost ready to harvest. Withholding water helps the bulbs form their parchment paper-like outer coverings.
Onion
Onions grow best in full sun and loose, fertile, well-draining soil. Work the soil to 8-inches (20cm) deep and incorporate organic matter into the soil so the under-ground growing onion can develop easily.
Onion sets (also called seeds or seedlings) are planted in shallow rows 12-inches (30cm) apart. Make the planting 2-inches (5cm) deep in prepared soil and place onion sets in the rows. Cover with 1/2inch (1.2cm) of soil and water well. If you are planting seeds, thin onion plants to 12-inches (30cm) apart after germination.
Add a layer of mulch around the onions and keep the soil moist. To encourage more stem growth on green onions (also called scallions, shallots etc), pull 2-inches (5cm) of loose soil around the stem base to create a 4-inch (10cm) hill. Do not hill soil around the stem base of “slicing onions” (such as large brown, red or white onions). It will cause the necks of the bulbs to rot.
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