24 Hardy Vegetables to Plant in Fall, According to Gardening Experts

Spinach

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is a cool-season vegetable that should be direct sowed six to eight weeks before the average first frost date in the fall. It is typically ready to be harvested 37 to 45 days after seeding. "Spinach grows quickly and can be harvested at baby or full-size stage," says Alex Correia, senior horticulturist at Longwood Gardens.

Growing zones: 2 to 11
Size: 6 to 12 inches tall x 6 to 8 inches wide
Growing requirements: full to part sun; well draining soil

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02 of 24

Broccoli

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) prefers cooler temperatures and won’t do well if grown in the summer heat, says Carrie Spoonemore, co-creator of Park Seed's From Seed to Spoon app. What's more, the cool season vegetable is also packed with nutrients and flavor. "Sow the seeds of this cool-season crop directly, or transplant the seedlings into the garden when they have four true leaves (about eight weeks from germinating)," says Spoonemore. Harvest timing varies depending on variety, but typically broccoli reaches maturity in 55 to 75 days.

Growing zones: 3 to 9
Size: 24 inches tall x 8 inches wide
Growing requirements: full sun; moist, well draining soil

03 of 24

Cabbage

One of the easiest fall vegetables to cultivate, cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) is a cool-season vegetable that's high in nutrients and very frost tolerant. How fast cabbage takes to mature depends on its variety—some are ready to be harvested in 60 days, while some aren't ready for more than 120 days. If you're looking for a particularly hardy variety consider Red Express Purple/Red Cabbage. It's the toughest of the cool-season crops. "It needs cold temperatures to germinate and grow, withstanding light frost and temperatures below 28 degrees," says Spoonemore.

Growing zones: 3 to 9
Size: 12 inches tall x 8 to 12 inches wide
Growing requirements: full sun; moist, well draining soil

04 of 24

Parsnips

Parsnips (Pastinaca sativa) are cool season vegetables that taste best when the plants have been exposed to several weeks of cool, frosty weather. The plant can be harvested once the roots reach their full size, which happens about 100 to 120 days after sowing the seeds.

Growing zones: 2 to 11
Size: 8 to 24 inches tall x 9 to 18 inches wide
Growing requirements: full sun; fertile, well-drained

05 of 24

Radish

If you want to prioritize fast growers in your fall garden, consider planting radish (Raphanus sativus). The plant matures in about 20 to 30 days. "Grow the seed in 30 days and plant them in succession for a continuous supply," says Correia. Planting radish in fall is ideal as high temperatures can cause bolting, which occurs when an edible plant goes to seed too quickly.

Growing zones: 2 to 11
Size: 1 to 3 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
Growing requirements: full sun; moist, well draining soil

06 of 24

Lettuce

There are a few common types of lettuce (Lactuca sativa), including iceberg, butterhead, romaine, and leaf lettuce. Once mature, harvest every one or two weeks by cutting just above the growing point, says Correia. Lettuce takes about 40 to 50 days to mature, so you can plant several successions throughout the season.

Growing zones: 2 to 11
Size: Varies by variety
Growing requirements: full sun; moist, well draining soil

07 of 24

Carrots

As a cool-weather crop, carrots (Daucus carota) are best sown direct as soon as the soil is workable, says Montgomery. If possible, plant carrots in raised beds to increase the depth of soil and provide good root shape. Although carrots take longer to mature (70 to 80 days) they are one of the most popular plants in the garden.

Growing zones: 3 to 9
Size: 12 to 18 inches tall x 1 to 2 inches wide
Growing requirements: full sun; moist, well draining soil

08 of 24

Fennel

There are two types of fennel Foeniculum vulgare: one that is treated as an herb and one that is treated like a bulb vegetable. When grown as a bulb, fennel needs to develop during the cooler, shorter days of early fall. If planted too early, the summer weather will cause flowering and reduce the quality of the bulb. How long fennel takes to mature depends on the variety you are growing.

Growing zones: 4 to 9
Size: 4 to 6 feet tall x 18 to 36 inches wide
Growing requirements: full sun; organically rich, well-drained soil

09 of 24

Kale

If you often reach for kale in the supermarket, consider growing it in your garden instead. "Kale is a cool-season vegetable that's high in nutrients and very tolerant of frost," says Spoonemore. "Offering a range of colors and shapes, many varieties are grown for their beautiful ornamental leaves, which are brilliant red, pink, lavender, blue, violet, or white in the interior." For a delicious edible option, considerRed Russian Heirloom Kale, which sets dense heads of oak leaf cut leaves that are tender and sweet.

Growing zones: 3 to 9
Size: 2 to 5 feet tall x 1 foot wide
Growing requirements: full sun (can tolerate some shade); nutrient-rich, well-draining soil

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Collard Greens

Collard greens (Brassica oleracea var. viridis) are very cold hardy and can be harvested late into fall. "The leaves are even sweeter when grown in cooler temperatures," says Correia. After direct seeding, collar greens take about 60 to 80 days to reach maturity. The hardy vegetable can withstand frosts and even moderate freezes when it reaches maturity.

Growing zones: 3 to 9
Size: 1 to 2 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
Growing requirements: full sun; well-draining soil

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Beets

Beets (Beta vulgaris var. crassa) are best grown in cooler temperatures and can even survive near freezing conditions. "This cool-weather root crop is easy to grow and versatile, proving delicious and nutritious from its rich greens right down to its round or oblong root," says Spoonemore. The vegetable can be sown from seed in late summer or early fall and generally reaches maturity seven to eight weeks after being planted.

Growing zones: 3 to 9
Size: 8 to 10 inches tall x 12 inches wide
Growing requirements: full sun (can tolerate some shade); moist, well-draining soil

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Cauliflower

A cool-season, winter-hardy vegetable, and the toughest of the cool-season crops, cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) is one of the first to be planted in the garden, says Spoonemore. Cauliflower can be sown directly into the garden as soon as the soil is workable two to four weeks before the last frost date, or started indoors four to five weeks before transplanting in spring and fall. "It needs cold temperatures to germinate and grow but is sensitive to heavy frost," says Spoonemore. The vegetable reaches maturity in about 50 to 100 days.

Growing zones: 3 to 9
Size: 12 to 24 inches tall x 6 to 12 inches wide
Growing requirements: full sun; moist, well-draining soil

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Green Onion

Green onion (Allium cepa), also known as bunching onion, is easy to grow and quick to harvest. Rather than waiting for the bulb to form, green onions are harvested while the tops are still tender and green. Optimal growing temperatures range from 68 to 77 degrees, meaning green onions can be planted in spring, summer, and fall. "Sow seeds two per inch in the early fall garden, setting them 1/2-inch deep and then thinning to 3 to 4 inches apart," says Spoonemore.

Growing zones: 3 to 9
Size: 14 inches tall x 3 to 4 inches wide
Growing requirements: full sun; moist, well-draining soil

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Garlic

Fall is the best time to plant garlic (Allium sativum L.). "Plant your cloves, root side down and upright," says Correia. "Plant before the ground freezes as you would for flower bulbs for harvest the following summer." Though it's a cool-season vegetable, you should add mulch around garlic to protect it from freezing temperatures (but remove mulch in spring when temperatures warm up again). The slow grower takes about 250 days to mature.

Growing zones: Varies by variety
Size: 1 to 3 feet tall x 2 to 6 inches wide
Growing requirements: full sun; moist, loamy soil

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Sugar Snap Peas

With a reputation for being easy to grow, sugar snap peas (Pisum sativum var. macrocarpon) love cold weather and should be planted as soon as the soil is workable. "Direct-sow 1 to 2 inches apart and 1 to 1 1/2 inches deep," says Spoonemore. "To conserve space and simplify harvesting, sow in double rows with a trellis between rows." You can harvest sugar snap peas around 60 to 70 days after sowing the seeds.

Growing zones: 3 to 9
Size: 4 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 5 inches x 24 to 26 inches wide
Growing requirements: full sun; moist, well-drained soil

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Brussels Sprouts

Brussel sprouts — mschowe / GETTY IMAGES

One of the hardiest fall vegetables available, Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera) can survive freezing temperatures. The vegetable typically reaches maturity at 90 to 110 days, but you'll know it's ready to be harvested when it's round, firm, tight, and a good color.

Growing zones: 2 to 11
Size: 12 to 36 inches tall x 18 to 24 inches wide
Growing requirements: full sun; loamy, well-drained soil

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Turnips

Direct sown crops include most root vegetables, such as turnips (Brassica rapa), says Correia. The cold tolerant plant has different harvesting times based on how you plant to use it. Varieties grown for greens reach maturity about 30 to 45 days after planting, while varieties grown for roots reach maturity in 50 to 70 days.

Growing zones: 2 to 11
Size: 12 to 18 inches tall x 6 to 12 inches wide
Growing requirements: full sun to part shade; loamy, well-drained soil

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Microgreens

Microgreens—vegetables and herbs harvested as seedlings—are easy to grow and ideal for anyone looking to try their hand at gardening, says Spoonemore. Many types of vegetables work as microgreens, such as cool season Ruby Red Swiss Chard Microgreens, which adds color, flavor, and a nutritional boost to a variety of dishes. Quick and easy to grow, microgreens can be grown in the garden seasonally, says Spoonemore.

Growing zones: 3 to 9
Size: 12 to 16 inches tall x 1 to 2 inches wide
Growing requirements: full sun; moist, well-drained soil

19 of 24

Green Peas

Like sugar snap peas, green peas (Pisum sativum) can withstand freezing temperatures and favor mild to cooler conditions. Green peas should be direct sowed when soil temperatures are at least 40 degrees. The vegetable takes about 50 to 70 days to mature and can be harvested when the pods are plump and well-filled, but before seed becomes starchy.

Growing zones: 2 to 11
Size: 12 to 18 inches tall x 7 to 12 inches wide
Growing requirements: full sun; moist, well-drained soil

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Swiss Chard

Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris) is the same species at beets but without the swollen roots. The plant is easy to grow and can tolerate mild freezes. Swiss chard leaves are usually ready for harvest around four to six weeks after planting when the leaves are about 12 inches long.

Growing zones: 2 to 11
Size: 12 to 24 inches tall x 9 to 18 inches wide
Growing requirements: full sun; fertile, well-drained soil

21 of 24

Radicchio

Radicchio (Cichorium intybus) is a type of chicory (a cool-season vegetable) that is grown for its head of leaves. Many varieties of radicchio require cool temperatures to induce head formation. You can encourage the vegetable to form by leaving the plant in the ground past the first frost date to expose it to temperatures ideal for heading.

Growing zones: 3 to 8
Size: 2 to 4 feet tall x 18 to 24 inches wide
Growing requirements: full sun; well-drained soil

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Endive

Endive (Cichorium endivia) is a hardy annual vegetable that has curled, finely cut leaves. The cool-season vegetable doesn't thrive in hot conditions and must be grown as a fall crop. Once the blanched heads develop (which takes about 85 days) cut the plants at ground level.

Growing zones: 3 to 8
Size: 2 to 4 feet tall x 18 to 24 inches wide
Growing requirements: full sun; well-drained soil

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Bok Choy

Bok choy (Brassica rapa chinensis) is quick to mature and can be harvested before head formation starts. While some varieties of bok choy are heat tolerant, the plant loves the cooler temperatures of fall and extreme heat can lead to narrower leaves and less dense heads.

Growing zones: 2 to 11
Size: 6 to 24 inches tall x 6 to 18 inches wide
Growing requirements: full sun to part shade; well-drained soil

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Leeks

Most leek varieties require a long growing season of about 120 to 150 days, but some newer cultivars require as few as 90 days to reach maturity. The easy-to-grow plant is tolerant of cold, so harvest can be delayed until after the first frosts.

Growing zones: 2 to 11
Size: 18 to 36 inches tall x 12 to 18 inches wide
Growing requirements: full sun; well-drained soil

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