Fall Annual Plant Palette:
Fall is a great opportunity to prioritize planting vegetables that may take a back seat during the summer season. Here are 12 of our favorite annual vegetables that can be planted now to create your beautiful and productive fall garden!
Broccoli
Bay Meadows* and Arcadia
// Frost tolerant and will overwinter in mild climates. Overwintered crop may produce florets in early spring. Must be transplanted into gardens by mid-September in the Pacific Northwest.
Claytonia
Claytonia*
// Hardiest of the winter salad greens, can tolerate moderate frost and can be grown all winter in mild regions.
Chard
Bright Lights* and Fordhook
// Cold tolerant to about 20° F. Can survive the winter and produce new growth in early spring.
Cilantro
Calypso*
// Cilantro is a hardy fall crop but is not frost tolerant. If temperatures dip into the 30's, the leaves will start to loose their color, flavor and texture.
Garlic
HARDNECK: Red Razan, Georgian Fire, and Chesnok Red SOFTNECK: Polish White, French Pink
// All varieties grow best after prolonged exposure to cold temperatures.
Kale
Lacinato*
// All varieties are frost tolerant. This photo is of Lacinato kale during a hard winter frost. The leaves may droop during a frost but they will retain their flavor and texture.
Lettuce
Nancy butterhead, Winter Density romaine*, Rhazes red gem.
// Considered a "cool weather crop", lettuce grows very well in the fall but will not withstand frost. Harvest uncovered plantings before temperatures dip below 35° F.
Scallions
Evergreen Hardy White*
// Scallions are extremely cold hardy and will easily overwinter in climates where temperatures dip below 10° F.
Mustards
Green Frills*, Green Wave, Ruby Streaks
// All varieties are frost tolerant
Spinach
Bloomsdale and Regiment*
// All varieties do very well in cold weather and can tolerate temperatures as low as 20° F.
Radish
French Breakfast, Misato Rose*, French Breakfast, Round Black Spanish, Cherriette
// Frost tolerant. Misato Rose and Round Black Spanish are "winter" varieties which means they grow slowly and are quick to bolt, therefor preferring fall growing conditions.
Turnips
Hakurai * and Purple Top White Globe
// Many people say that turnip flavor actually improves with a frost. If temperatures drop in the low teens, top leaves.
* Variety shown in photo
For more fall planting inspiration and techniques, see: