{"id":4335,"date":"2018-07-19T01:15:27","date_gmt":"2018-07-19T05:15:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/growagoodlife.com\/?p=4335"},"modified":"2023-12-03T13:45:25","modified_gmt":"2023-12-03T17:45:25","slug":"quick-growing-vegetables-fall-garden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/growagoodlife.com\/quick-growing-vegetables-fall-garden\/","title":{"rendered":"13 Quick Growing Fall Vegetables"},"content":{"rendered":"

Revamp your garden with fast-maturing fall vegetables for a bountiful autumn harvest. Discover 13 cool season crops ready to enjoy in just 60 days!<\/p>\n

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The vegetable garden shines in summer with abundant harvests. As fall approaches, most of the summer crops begin to wind down. Cooler nighttime temperatures and diminishing sunlight take their toll.<\/p>\n

The heat-loving plants respond by slowly reducing their growth. They struggle to produce that final fruit or vegetable; they devote all their energy to growing and ripening it. The foliage often shows signs of stress, insect damage, and disease as the plants attempt to give up their final offerings.<\/p>\n

Instead of watching your summer crops struggle to ripen the last few fruits, pull them out and plant some of these quick-growing cool-season vegetables for your fall garden.<\/p>\n

You can keep the garden producing healthy crops well into fall by replacing your struggling summer plants with fast-maturing vegetables that thrive in the cooler weather and lower autumn daylight hours.<\/p>\n\n

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Fall Vegetable Garden Planting Tips<\/h2>\n

Temperatures can fluctuate wildly in late summer. Days are often hot, but nights can be much cooler. Germinating seeds in hot weather can be difficult. Warm temperatures may prevent seeds from sprouting, and hot weather will quickly dry the soil. As the season cools down, there is also the danger of a dip in nighttime temperatures and an early fall frost.<\/p>\n

Below is an overview of some of the challenges of a fall vegetable garden. You can learn more with our in-depth guide: Tips for Growing a Fall Vegetable Garden<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Choosing the Right Crops<\/h3>\n

When planning your fall vegetable garden, the key to success lies in selecting the right crops that thrive in cooler temperatures and have short days to maturity.<\/p>\n

Begin by using your first expected frost date as a guide \u2013 you can easily find this information by entering your zip code on PlantMaps.com<\/a>. With the first frost date in mind, look for cool-season crops that can mature within the remaining days before the frost.<\/p>\n

To ensure ample time for a successful fall harvest, check the seed package or catalog for the average days to harvest for each crop. Keep in mind that as the days become shorter in autumn, the growth rate may slow down. Add a week or two to the stated days to maturity to account for the decreased daylight hours. This will give you a more realistic estimate of when you can expect your crops to be ready for harvest.<\/p>\n

Many leafy greens, such as lettuce, spinach, and mustard greens, are excellent choices for quick-growing fall vegetables and often mature within 60 days. A clever trick is to harvest these greens at their baby stage, which takes even less time, giving you delicate and delicious salads or homemade soups additions. This way, you can enjoy the fruits of your labor even before they reach full maturity, extending the joy of your fall vegetable garden from planting to plate.<\/p>\n

Starting Seeds in Hot Weather<\/h3>\n

Some vegetable seeds may struggle to sprout during hot weather, leading to germination and seedling establishment challenges. For instance, lettuce and spinach seeds won’t germinate effectively when the soil temperature surpasses 75\u02daF.<\/p>\n

Monitor the soil temperature to ensure optimal conditions for seed germination, which can differ from the air temperature. For accurate readings, consider using a probe-type soil thermometer. The University of California provides a helpful resource listing the optimum soil temperatures at which various vegetable seeds perform best for germination: Soil Temperature Conditions for Vegetable Seed Germination<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If the weather is too hot, consider starting seedlings under lights indoors in late July or early August. Once the weather cools, harden off your seedlings and transplant them into the garden. You can learn more about growing transplants indoors in this article: 10 Steps to Starting Seedlings Indoors<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If your garden experiences partial shade<\/a> due to nearby trees, consider it an excellent spot for planting fall crops. The shade offers a cool respite during the late summer heat, enabling your plants to establish themselves comfortably. As the leaves fall and more sunlight filters through, your crops will thrive and flourish, taking advantage of the increased light availability.<\/p>\n

Providing Proper Moisture<\/h3>\n

Garden soil dries out much quicker in hot weather, making it difficult to maintain the moisture level that seeds need to germinate and young plants to become established.<\/p>\n

Pre-sprouting or soaking seeds beforehand allows the seed to absorb enough moisture to trigger it to sprout. Once the seed germinates, it can be planted directly into the garden. Learn How to Pre-Sprout Seeds<\/a>.<\/p>\n

After planting seeds, water well and keep the soil evenly moist until the seedlings emerge and become established. Once the plants begin to grow, let the soil dry slightly in between watering.<\/p>\n

If you are planting fall transplants, water them well in hot weather and provide some shade until the young plants become established, and then water when the soil is dry a few inches below the surface. Add a layer of organic garden mulch<\/a> to help conserve moisture. As the weather cools, your plants should take off.<\/p>\n

How to Deal with Early Frosts<\/h3>\n

Most cool-season crops can withstand a few light frosts once they are established, but young plants and newly emerged seedlings may be vulnerable.<\/p>\n

Watch the weather and be prepared to cover young seedlings if the weather dips to freezing temperatures overnight. With some frost protection<\/a> during cool nights, most fall crops will continue to grow and produce well into early winter.<\/p>\n

13 Cool Season Crops Ready\u00a0in 60 Days:<\/h2>\n

When the days start getting shorter, and a chill fills the air, it’s the perfect time to focus on quick-growing fall vegetables. These fast-maturing fall veggies will bring fresh flavors to your table in no time.<\/p>\n

Even if your growing season is short, you can still enjoy plenty of harvests from your fall garden if you plant the right varieties. With proper planning and the right selection of crops, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest even as the temperatures drop.<\/p>\n

So pull out the summer plants, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, bush beans, and zucchini, that are no longer producing, clear out any weeds, work in some compost into the soil, and sow some of these quick growing fall crops:<\/p>\n

Arugula<\/h3>\n

Arugula, also known as Rocket, is a peppery and nutrient-packed green that thrives in cool temperatures. It can be ready for harvest in as little as 40 to 50 days, making it an ideal choice for quick fall planting.<\/p>\n