Autumn is a terrific time for gardeners to grow cool-weather crops. The majority of those mentioned here will keep your vegetable beds looking sprightly well into November.
PINK BEAUTY RADISH
(Raphanus sativus ‘Pink Beauty’)
Zones: 2–11
Height: 6–8 inches; width: 6–8 inches
Days till harvest: 26
Any radish makes a great fall plant, as long as the seeds go in the ground four to six weeks before the first frost. This variety, slightly milder than its red cousins, adds a pretty blush to your garden beds.
CILANTRO
(Coriandrum sativum)
Zones: 2–11
Height: 1–2 feet; width: 1–11⁄2 feet
Days till harvest: 30
Cilantro’s growing season is so short that you can plant it both in the spring and in late summer for two annual harvests. Let it set seed, and you’ll have coriander: two crops from one plant!
BRIGHT LIGHTS SWISS CHARD
(Beta vulgaris ‘Bright Lights’)
Zones: 3–10
Height: 18–24 inches; width: 9–12 inches
Days till harvest: 50–60
The red, green, yellow, and orange ribs on this pretty chard variety look good even in your flower beds. To harvest, snap off the outer leaves, and the plant will keep producing more leaves from the center.
PURPLE GLAZER GARLIC
(Allium sativum ‘Purple Glazer’)
Zones: 4–9
Height: 12–18 inches; width: 6–12 inches
Days till harvest: 210
Garlic is one of the easiest plants to grow if you have a little patience. In early December, plant cloves root side down about 15 to 30 days before the ground freezes. The following July, pull out the fresh garlic as soon as the leaves turn brown.
SCALLION
(Allium fistulosum ‘Evergreen Hardy White’)
Zones: 3–11
Height: 12–20 inches; width: 1–2 feet
Days till harvest: 60
Sow scallion seeds soon for a fall harvest, as they germinate best in warm soil. This trusty variety, noted for its cold-hardiness, is a safe bet.
BABY CARROT
(Daucus carota var. sativus ‘Adelaide’)
Zones: 3–10
Height: 1 foot; width: 9 inches
Days till harvest: 32–50
Johnny’s Seeds, a grower based in Maine, deems this variety a true baby carrot, at three to four inches in length. And since it can be harvested sooner than most carrots, it’s ideal for late-summer planting.
SPINACH
(Spinacia oleracea)
Zones: 2–11
Height: 6–12 inches; width: 6–12 inches
Days till harvest: 27
Look for spinach varieties such as Savoy, which has crinkly, curly leaves that are more flavorful than other types. If you keep the plants in the ground after harvesting the leaves, you will likely also have a spring crop, particularly if you use a row cover.
Tips
- Compacted soil is difficult for these plants to push through, so prepare your soil thoroughly before planting.
- Too late to get seeds in the ground? Check out local farmstands and nurseries for starter plants that are already established.
- Trim off the scapes, or flower buds, of garlic before the plants’ stems get woody. It will help bulk up the garlic head below ground, and the scapes make an excellent pesto.
- Other plants to consider for fall planting are kale and its Brassica brethren, which often have better flavor after the first frost.
- In 2023, the approximate first frost date in the Hamptons is expected to be October 18.
