Nine Crops Perfect for Harvesting in Autumn for Inexperienced Gardeners
Starting a fall garden might seem daunting, but don't sweat it! It's all about finding what grows well in your specific climate. Here's a list of easy-to-grow crops for a beginner gardener in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b:
Simple Fall Crops for Growing Success
- Garlic: This versatile crop is a breeze to grow. Plant the cloves in the fall, around your first frost. Mulch lightly for weed control, and more heavily for cold protection if needed (depending on your winter climate). Harvest in June or July.
- Lettuce: Sow the seeds directly in your garden, raised bed, or containers in late summer, around 6 weeks before your average first frost. Make sure to keep it well-watered.
- Arugula: Similar to lettuce, arugula is easy to direct sow. Plant it at the same time as lettuce for proper growth.
- Spinach: Spinach prefers colder weather. Sow indoors or wait until daytime temperatures are consistently in the 70s or lower 80s (F) before direct sowing.
- Carrots: Known as the perfect fall crop, carrot seeds can be tricky to germinate. Use a flat floating row cover or cardboard box to help with moisture retention. Plant about 8 weeks before your average first frost.
- Snap Peas: These don't like the heat, making them perfect for the fall. Sow the seeds and enjoy fresh veggies once the heat has passed.
- Radish: Radishes grow quickly and are simple to manage. Start them 4 weeks before your average first frost.
- Kale: A quintessential fall crop, kale can be directly sown about 4-6 weeks before your average first frost.
- Swiss Chard: Sow Swiss chard about 10 weeks before your average first frost. This crop can last through milder winters.
For the Intermediate Gardener:
If you're looking to explore more fall favorites, here are some crops with a slightly higher learning curve:
Intermediate Fall Crops
- Broccoli: Plant indoors and transplant in the garden about 6 weeks before your first frost. Keep in mind that broccoli doesn't like heat, and it may delay growth in warm temperatures.
- Cabbage: Similar to broccoli, cabbage needs a lot of fertile soil and is prone to cabbage worms. Use floating row covers for prevention.
- Beets: Beets can be challenging to grow in a fall garden. Plant about the same time as carrots and keep them well-watered.
Remember, the fall garden is a great opportunity to experiment! Experiment with different crops, planting methods, and timings to find what works best for you. Happy gardening!
- To enhance your home-and-garden lifestyle, you might consider garden planning for a fall garden, using printable resources for guidance.
- As a beginner gardener in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b, you can try gardening with easy-to-grow crops like garlic, lettuce, arugula, spinach, carrots, snap peas, radishes, kale, and Swiss chard.
- For those with a bit more gardening experience, consider the intermediate fall crops such as broccoli, cabbage, and beets, each requiring a slightly higher learning curve but offering unique flavors for your fall meals.
