Summer may be in full swing, but the gardening season is far from over. While tomatoes, peppers, and other warm-weather favorites are producing, there's still time to plant another round of vegetables, herbs, and flowers for the months ahead.
In fact, some of the most rewarding crops of the year are planted during summer and harvested in fall. Carrots develop sweetness in cooler weather, leafy greens appreciate shorter days, and hardy vegetables like kale and collards can continue producing after the first light frosts. With a little planning, you can also enjoy fresh herbs and colorful flowers well into autumn.
Whether you're gardening in the Northeast, Midwest, South, or along the West Coast, the key is choosing crops suited to your climate and giving them enough time to grow before seasonal conditions change.
Here's what to plant in summer for a productive fall garden, along with practical advice for getting seeds established during the warmer months.
Ready to plan your next planting? Explore our Summer Planting for Fall Harvest collection for vegetable, herb, and flower seeds to help extend your growing season.
When Should You Plant a Fall Garden?
The best time to begin planting a fall garden depends on where you live. Gardeners in northern regions with shorter growing seasons may need to start certain crops in June or July. In the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest, many fall plantings begin during July and August. Gardeners in warmer southern regions may continue sowing cool-season crops into September, October, or even later.
Rather than following one planting calendar for the entire country, use your local average first frost date, soil temperature, and each variety's days to maturity to determine when to plant.
For crops that need to mature before frost, count backward from your expected first frost date and allow additional time for slower growth as autumn days become shorter. Cold-hardy crops may continue growing or remain harvestable after light frosts, while tender flowers and herbs need enough warm weather to mature before freezing temperatures arrive.
Early Summer Planting
Early summer is a good time to establish longer-season crops such as rutabagas, cabbage, broccoli, collards, and parsley. It's also an excellent time to sow warm-season flowers like zinnias, cosmos, and sunflowers for blooms later in the season.
In regions with short growing seasons, some of these crops may need to be started indoors or planted even earlier.
Midsummer Planting
Midsummer is often a good time to plant carrots, beets, kale, Swiss chard, and turnips for autumn harvests. Dill, borage, and other herbs can also be planted where sufficient growing time remains.
In warmer climates, some cool-season crops may benefit from waiting until temperatures begin to moderate.
Late Summer Planting
As temperatures begin to cool, quick-growing vegetables and herbs such as radishes, spinach, lettuce, arugula, mustard greens, mizuna, cilantro, and cress become especially useful.
Calendula and nasturtiums can also be good choices for late-season flowers in regions with mild autumn weather and enough time remaining before frost.
These general planting windows are starting points. Always adjust planting dates to your local climate and the growing requirements of each crop.
Vegetables to Plant in Summer for a Fall Harvest
Many vegetables grow exceptionally well as summer transitions into fall. Root crops often develop better flavor in cool weather, while leafy greens become easier to grow as intense summer heat begins to fade.
From quick-growing radishes to cold-hardy kale, these vegetables are excellent choices for extending the harvest beyond summer.
Root Vegetables: Carrots, Beets, Radishes, Turnips & Rutabagas
Root vegetables are among the most rewarding crops for a fall garden. Many appreciate cooler growing conditions, and several can be harvested well into autumn.
Carrots are particularly well suited to fall harvesting. Cooler temperatures can encourage the accumulation of sugars in the roots, producing a sweeter harvest. Direct sow during summer, allowing enough time for the chosen variety to mature. Consistent moisture is especially important during germination in hot weather.
Beets provide two useful harvests: tender greens and flavorful roots. Plant during summer for autumn harvests, thinning seedlings as needed to give developing roots adequate space. Beet greens can also be harvested young for salads and cooking.
Radishes are one of the quickest and easiest fall crops. Small varieties such as French Breakfast can mature in just a few weeks, while winter radishes such as Black Spanish Round, Watermelon Radish, and Daikon need additional growing time. Cool weather generally produces crisp, flavorful roots.
Turnips are another traditional fall vegetable grown for both their roots and edible greens. Many varieties mature relatively quickly, making them useful for later summer plantings. Their flavor and texture often improve when grown during cooler weather.
Rutabagas need a longer growing season than radishes or turnips, but they're particularly well suited to autumn harvesting. Many varieties require approximately 90 days or longer to mature, so gardeners in shorter-season regions should begin planting early enough in summer to allow the roots to develop fully.
Leafy Greens: Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Swiss Chard, Arugula & More
Fall is one of the best seasons for growing leafy greens. As temperatures moderate, many greens become easier to establish, less likely to bolt, and more flavorful.
Lettuce and spinach are classic cool-season crops that thrive as temperatures decline. Both can be planted in late summer or early fall, depending on your climate. Because excessively warm soil can inhibit germination, temporary shade and consistent moisture may help establish new seedlings.
Kale, collards, and Swiss chard provide productive harvests over an extended period. Kale and collards are particularly cold tolerant, while Swiss chard handles both summer warmth and cooler autumn weather. Harvest outer leaves as they mature, allowing plants to continue producing.
Arugula, mustard greens, and mizuna are quick-growing greens that bring distinctive flavors and textures to autumn salads. Arugula offers a peppery bite, mustard greens range from mild to pungent, and mizuna produces attractive, finely cut leaves with a gently peppery flavor. All three are excellent candidates for successive sowings as temperatures cool.
Cress is another quick-growing green that can be planted in garden beds or containers. Peppergrass Cress produces tender leaves with a lively, peppery flavor and is particularly useful for filling small spaces late in the season.
For a steady supply of fresh greens, consider planting smaller amounts every week or two rather than sowing everything at once. This approach, known as succession planting, helps extend the harvest throughout the season.
Cabbage Family Vegetables: Broccoli, Cabbage & Pak Choi
Several members of the cabbage family are excellent choices for a fall garden. These vegetables generally appreciate cooler growing conditions, although they need enough time to establish before cold weather arrives.
Broccoli is one of the most popular vegetables for fall harvesting. Cooler weather is favorable for developing quality heads, making autumn an attractive growing season. Start seeds indoors during early or midsummer and transplant established seedlings into the garden according to your local growing season. Some varieties also produce smaller side shoots after the main head is harvested.
Cabbage is another dependable fall vegetable when planted early enough to develop mature heads. Starting seeds indoors during summer can give plants a head start before transplanting. Choose varieties with maturity times appropriate for your region, especially if your first frost arrives early.
Pak choi, also called bok choy, grows relatively quickly and performs especially well during cooler weather. Direct sow in late summer or transplant young seedlings for an autumn harvest. Growing during moderate temperatures can help reduce premature flowering.
Because these vegetables belong to the cabbage family, they can attract flea beetles, cabbage worms, and other common pests. Lightweight insect netting or floating row covers can help protect young plants during establishment.
Bunching Onions for Fall and Early Winter Harvests
Bunching onions, commonly called scallions, are useful for extending the harvest into autumn.
Sow seeds during summer, allowing sufficient time for the plants to establish before cold weather arrives. Evergreen Hardy White is a traditional cold-tolerant variety that can be harvested for its tender green stalks.
In suitable climates, established bunching onions may survive winter and resume growth in spring, making them a useful addition to a garden planned for multiple seasons.
Herbs to Plant in Summer for Fall Harvests
Fall gardening isn't limited to vegetables. Several culinary and traditional herbs can be planted during summer for fresh leaves, fragrant flowers, and continued harvests as the season changes.
Some herbs appreciate cooler autumn weather, while others need an early summer start to produce before frost.
Cilantro
Cilantro is one of the best herbs for cooler weather. It often bolts quickly during summer heat, but plants established as temperatures begin to moderate can produce flavorful leaves for a longer period.
Direct sow cilantro in late summer or early fall, depending on your climate. Its relatively quick growth makes it useful for successive plantings.
Dill
Dill is a fast-growing culinary herb that performs well when direct-sown into garden soil.
Plant during summer for fresh foliage, allowing enough time for harvest before hard frost. Dill develops a taproot and generally grows best when planted directly where it will mature.
Successive sowings can help provide a steady supply of fresh leaves.
Parsley
Parsley is a versatile culinary herb that appreciates cooler growing conditions once established.
Because parsley germinates and develops relatively slowly, begin planting early enough in summer to establish healthy plants before autumn arrives.
Both flat-leaf and curly parsley can provide repeated harvests, and established plants may tolerate light frost.
German Chamomile
German chamomile is a traditional annual herb grown for its small, daisy-like flowers.
Plant during early summer where growing conditions are suitable, allowing enough time for plants to establish and flower before the season ends.
The flowers can be harvested and dried for traditional herbal preparations. Chamomile prefers well-draining soil and generally performs best without excessive summer heat.
Borage
Borage is an easy-to-grow annual herb known for its beautiful blue, star-shaped flowers.
Its edible blossoms are a favorite for decorating salads and beverages, while the flowers also attract bees and other beneficial pollinators.
Direct sow during early or midsummer, allowing enough warm growing time for plants to mature and flower before frost. Borage develops a substantial taproot and generally prefers to grow where it is planted.
Flowers to Plant in Summer for Fall Blooms
A productive fall garden can be beautiful as well as practical. By planting the right flowers during summer, gardeners can enjoy colorful blooms, fresh-cut bouquets, and pollinator activity well into autumn.
Flowering times vary by variety and climate. Warm-season annuals need enough time to bloom before frost, while some cooler-season flowers can perform particularly well as summer temperatures begin to decline.
Zinnias
Zinnias are among the most rewarding annual flowers for summer planting.
They germinate readily in warm soil and produce colorful blooms that continue until frost. Plant during early or midsummer, choosing varieties with enough time to reach flowering before cold weather arrives.
Regular harvesting or deadheading encourages continued flower production, making zinnias an excellent choice for homegrown bouquets.
Cosmos
Cosmos are easy-to-grow annual flowers with delicate foliage and cheerful, daisy-like blooms.
Direct sow during summer while the soil is warm. Many varieties begin flowering relatively quickly and can continue producing into autumn.
Cosmos thrive in full sun and generally perform well without excessive fertilization.
Calendula
Calendula is a traditional garden flower known for its bright yellow and orange blossoms.
Unlike many summer annuals, calendula appreciates cooler growing conditions. In regions with mild autumn weather, late-summer sowings can provide beautiful fall flowers.
In areas with shorter growing seasons, plant earlier to allow sufficient time for flowering before hard freezes arrive.
Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums bring colorful flowers and distinctive rounded leaves to garden beds and containers.
Both the flowers and leaves are edible, offering a pleasantly peppery flavor. Nasturtiums often perform well as temperatures moderate, although they are sensitive to frost.
Direct sow during summer, allowing enough time for plants to establish and bloom before freezing weather.
Sunflowers
Sunflowers are a wonderful way to carry summer color into early autumn.
Choose varieties with relatively short maturity times and plant during early or midsummer, depending on your growing season.
Sunflowers generally grow best when direct-sown into warm soil. Their cheerful blooms provide beauty in the garden and attract pollinators, while seed-producing varieties can also provide food for birds later in the season.
Tips for Starting a Successful Fall Garden in Summer
Know Your Average First Frost Date
Your local average first fall frost date is one of the most useful tools for planning autumn harvests.
For crops that need to mature before freezing temperatures, count backward from that date using the variety's days to maturity. Allow additional time for slower growth as daylight decreases.
Remember that USDA hardiness zones describe average winter minimum temperatures, not the length of your growing season. Local frost dates and actual growing conditions are more useful for scheduling fall plantings.
Choose Varieties That Mature in Time
Not every vegetable has the same growing requirements. Quick-growing radishes and arugula can be planted much later than broccoli, cabbage, or rutabagas.
Check the days to maturity listed on your seed packets and choose varieties suited to the time remaining in your growing season. For transplanted crops, confirm whether the maturity estimate is measured from transplanting or direct sowing.
Refresh Your Soil Between Crops
After removing a spring or summer crop, clear away weeds and plant debris before planting again.
Adding finished compost can help maintain soil structure and replenish organic matter. Where needed, incorporate an appropriate fertilizer based on your soil's fertility.
Rotating crops between plant families can also help reduce the buildup of certain pests and diseases over time.
Keep Summer-Sown Seeds Moist
Establishing seedlings during hot weather is one of the biggest challenges of fall gardening.
Water seedbeds gently and consistently so the upper layer of soil doesn't dry out during germination. Temporary shade can help protect newly emerging seedlings from intense afternoon sun.
Once plants are established, mulch around them to help conserve moisture and moderate soil temperatures.
For more advice on getting seeds established, read our 5 Factors that Impact Seed Germination guide.
Protect Young Plants From Pests
Late summer often brings significant insect pressure, particularly for cabbage-family crops.
Insect netting or floating row covers can protect young seedlings from flea beetles, cabbage worms, and other common pests. Install covers promptly and secure their edges to prevent insects from entering.
Plan for Cooler Weather
As autumn approaches, pay attention to the different cold tolerances of your crops.
Kale, collards, spinach, and many root vegetables can handle light frosts. Warm-season flowers such as zinnias and sunflowers, along with tender herbs such as borage, are more vulnerable to freezing temperatures.
Low tunnels, row covers, and other season-extension methods can help protect suitable crops and extend the harvest, although the amount of protection depends on the materials and weather conditions.
Planning Your Fall Garden?
Explore our Growing Guides for crop-specific advice on sowing, spacing, growing conditions, and caring for vegetables, herbs, and flowers throughout the season.
A Second Season Worth Growing
A productive garden doesn't have to end when summer begins to fade.
With a little planning, the same beds that produced spring greens or summer vegetables can provide another harvest of carrots, lettuce, kale, radishes, and other cool-season favorites. Fresh herbs can continue finding their way into the kitchen, while colorful flowers bring beauty to the garden as the days grow shorter.
Start with the growing time you have available, choose varieties suited to your climate, and give young seedlings the care they need during the heat of summer.
There's something especially satisfying about carrying a garden into autumn, when cooler mornings arrive and another harvest is waiting just outside the door.
