Fall Planting Guide

Before Fall planting, it is important to prepare the soil. Remove any weeds, rocks, and debris from your garden beds and loosen soil to help plants root and grow. Adding compost and other organic matter can help improve the soil structure and fertility.

Although Fall temperatures cool off, the soil remains warm for some time. Warm soil temperatures are ideal for root growth and vegetables with established root systems handle heat and drought much better come Spring.

The frequency of watering will depend on the specific needs of your plants and the weather conditions. In general, most plants should be watered deeply once or twice a week, depending on the soil moisture level and the weather. It is important to avoid letting the soil dry out completely, but also avoid over-watering, which can lead to root rot.

Fertilizing your fall garden can help provide essential nutrients for plant growth. There are many different types of fertilizers available, including organic and synthetic options. It is important to choose the right type of fertilizer for your plants and to follow the specific application instructions. In general, it is best to fertilize your plants every few weeks during the growing season.

Warm-weather veggies like beans, corn, squashes, pumpkins, cucumbers, cantaloupe, and watermelons are all sown directly into the ground.
Tender heat-loving plants such as tomatoes, bell peppers, jalapeño peppers, and eggplants take a long time to mature and have a lengthy harvesting period, so we generally don’t plant a second round of these crops for fall, as they won’t ripen in time. (In regions with mild winters, this may not be the case.) These crops are typically started indoors early in the season and transplanted.
Root vegetables (beets, carrots) do not transplant well, so start seeds directly in the soil outside.
Peas are also best seeded into the ground; do not transplant.
Cole crops like broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and cabbage could be direct seeded, but because of the heat of mid- and late summer, it’s better to start them indoors and then transplant them into the garden.
We tend to direct-sow leafy greens such as lettuce, chard, and spinach, though some gardeners will also sow indoors. It depends on your climate.
Note that garlic is not included in our planting chart. It’s a popular fall crop, but the dates vary wildly based on location and it’s really best to gauge garlic planting dates with a soil thermometer. When the soil temperature is 60°F (15.6°C) at a depth of 4 inches, then plant your garlic. We’d advise checking our Garlic Growing Guide for more information.
Read more about the best vegetables to plant in fall.

Answer: Some common fall garden pests include aphids, slugs, and caterpillars. To prevent infestations, it is important to regularly inspect your plants and remove any pests that you find. You can also use organic or chemical pest control methods as needed. Some common fall garden diseases include powdery mildew and leaf spot.