10 Easy Plants to Grow in a Fall Garden 

When most people think of gardening, spring and summer come to mind. But don’t overlook the power of fall! Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, there are plenty of easy plants to grow in a fall garden. As the heat of summer gives way to crisp autumn air, your garden doesn’t have to go dormant. In fact, fall is one of the best times to grow a productive, low-maintenance garden—cooler temperatures mean fewer pests, less watering, and thriving plants that actually prefer the chill.

Grow What You’ll Eat

Before you go to the garden center and are swooned by all the beautiful fall colors and textures, have a general sense of what you want to grow. Some things you can grow from directly from seed and some are better off to buy as transplants. We’ll go through that below. First, ask yourself what fall vegetables you will use in your kitchen and enjoy eating. Perhaps you love the bright colors of rainbow Swiss chard (this made my list below!) but you actually hate it’s earthy taste. Unless you’re growing it purely for looks, you’re better off delegating that growing space to something you actually like.

In my kitchen, I’ve tried cooking with beets time and time again. Despite my efforts, I just can’t seem to find a way that I like eating them.  I wish I did since they’re another good fall option, but I just can’t seem to crack the code. However, give me all the spinach for my daily smoothies and salads! Give me all the sweet crunchy carrots that my kids devour on the daily. And I’ll take all the spicy, fresh garlic I can get a hold off to add to my weekly dinners. Once you have a sense of what you’ll enjoy eating, it’s time to make your own list of plants to grow in a fall garden.  

Here are ten foolproof favorites to plant this season. 

Plants to Grow in a Fall Garden 

1. Spinach 

Spinach thrives in cooler temperatures and actually tastes sweeter after a light frost. It’s fast-growing and perfect for succession planting. Sow seeds directly into well-drained soil and keep moist for a steady harvest. 

Days to harvest: 30–45 
Tip: Harvest baby leaves early for salads or let them mature for cooking greens. You can also freeze extra spinach and crumble it into your favorite fall soups and stews.  

2. Radishes 

Radishes are one of the quickest and easiest vegetables to grow from seed, making them ideal for fall gardening. They prefer the cooler weather and mature in just a few weeks. 

Days to harvest: 20–30 
Tip: Try different varieties like ‘Cherry Belle’ or ‘French Breakfast’ for color and flavor variety. 

3. Lettuce 

Lettuce doesn’t love the heat, but it thrives in fall. You can grow it directly from seed or buy transplants for some of the larger, longer head varieties. It does great planted in containers, raised beds, or directly in the ground. Choose loose-leaf varieties for a continuous harvest. 

Days to harvest: 30–60 
Tip: Stagger plantings every two weeks for a steady supply through the season. 

4. Kale 

This superfood leafy green is practically made for fall gardening. Kale becomes more tender and flavorful after a light frost and will keep producing until a hard freeze. Start in late summer if you’re growing it from seed. Otherwise, you can buy fall transplants and put them directly in the garden.  

Days to harvest: 50–75 
Tip: Harvest the outer leaves first to keep the plant growing. 

5. Carrots 

Carrots grow best in loose, sandy soil and cool weather. Like spinach and kale, their flavor improves after a frost. Just be patient—these root veggies take time and are best sown directly from seed.  

Days to harvest: 60–80 
Tip: Mulch well to protect the roots as temperatures drop. 

6. Beets 

Beets offer a two-for-one harvest: you can enjoy the roots and the nutrient-rich greens. They grow well planted from seeds in fall and store beautifully after harvest. 

Days to harvest: 50–70 
Tip: Thin seedlings early to ensure room for root development. 

7. Swiss Chard 

Swiss chard is colorful, hardy, and keeps going long into the fall. Its leaves are great in salads or sautéed like spinach. You can sow seeds directly or buy it as a transplant. 

Days to harvest: 50–60 
Tip: Cut outer leaves and let the center keep growing for continuous harvest. 

8. Turnips 

Easy to grow and quick to mature, turnips are a great root vegetable for fall gardens. Like beets, you can eat both the greens and the roots. These are very easy to grow from seed planted directly in your garden.  

Days to harvest: 40–60 
Tip: Plant in full sun and harvest young for the most tender flavor. 

9. Broccoli 

Broccoli prefers the cool weather of fall and will bolt less often than in spring. It needs a bit more time and space but is worth the effort.  

Days to harvest: 60–100 
Tip: Start from transplants for a faster harvest before the first hard frost. 

10. Garlic 

While you won’t harvest garlic until the following summer, fall is the perfect time to plant it. It needs the winter chill to develop strong bulbs. You’ll need to source planting garlic from a local garden center or reputable online resource.  

Planting time: Mid to late fall 
Tip: Choose hardneck varieties in colder climates and softneck types in milder zones. 

Imagine These 10 Easy Plants in Your Fall Garden 

This month, as summer officially winds down and transitions to autumn, consider how you can still have some crops growing in your garden. Now only does fall planting allow you to extend your growing season—it can also simplify your gardening routine. Fewer pests, more consistent rain and cooler temperatures make for a much more conducive environment for certain crops to take off. It’s also creates a more enjoyable experience for you to work in your garden. Just imagine walking out in the crisp, dewy morning air to cut some fresh spinach for your morning smoothie. Or sneaking out for a few minutes after work to cut pull some carrots for your dinner salad. You pause for a moment to enjoy the golden hour light and quiet evening sounds of birds chirping and rustling leaves.  

One of the best parts about gardening is that it forces us to get outside and be in nature, no matter how small the space. With its cooler temperatures and beautiful colors, what better time is there than fall to get out in the garden?  So grab your trowel, a watering can and a cup of something warm, and plant the seeds of your fall harvest today. Your garden (and your dinner plate) will thank you!