Before I started growing vegetables, I assumed that September and October were the best months to plant fall crops like kale and broccoli. I tucked these fall veggies into the ground as the mornings turned chilly, and watched as their growth slowed, then stopped. It turns out that the shorter and colder days of fall severely stall plant growth.

Although October is too late to plant long-season crops, you can still get quick-growing veggies into the ground. The plants will mature slowly, so you can expect to harvest them sometime in late fall, winter, or the following spring.

Your latitude and growing zone have a significant impact on how quickly plants grow, so these factors also dictate what’s appropriate for last-minute fall planting. Here are a few crops you can still put in the ground in most areas, as well as a few bonus plants for growers in warmer climates.

Spinach

Harvest baby leaves as soon as they’re big enough to pick.

Spinach is one of the most cold-tolerant greens, so it’s a perfect veggie for last-minute fall planting. Growers in zones five and below can sow the seeds in late September and enjoy at least one harvest this fall. If you live in a lower latitude and/or an area with higher temperatures, you can expect to enjoy multiple harvests throughout the fall and winter.

These hardy greens grow well from both transplanting and direct seeding. Sowing the seeds directly in the garden works fine if you didn’t plant ahead, but transplanting seedlings gives the plants a head start and allows you to harvest earlier.

No matter which planting option you choose, space the plants four to six inches apart. If you’re direct sowing, you can sow seeds every two inches, then thin seedlings as necessary. Harvest spinach by pinching or cutting the larger outer leaves while leaving the smaller interior greens to mature.

Lettuce

Leafy lettuce is best for last-minute fall planting.

All types of lettuce thrive in cooler weather, and many can tolerate light frosts. If you’re planting these greens in late September, they may not have enough time to form full heads. However, you can enjoy the baby leaves this fall and into the winter. Choosing a blend like ‘Heirloom Gardens Mix’ allows you to enjoy leaves with a variety of textures and colors.

Transplanting seedlings gives the plants a head start and allows them to reach a large size before short days slow their growth. Direct seeding is another option, but it works best if you live in zone 5 or above.

If you want to grow baby lettuces, plant the seeds or seedlings one to two inches apart. As the plants grow, harvest the larger outer leaves with your fingers or a knife. The remaining interior leaves will continue to grow and provide more harvests later in the season.

Carrots

Some varieties mature in as little as two months.

If you live in zone 8 and above, and choose a quick-maturing carrot variety, you can enjoy these sweet and crunchy roots this fall. Varieties like ‘Mokum’ mature in as little as two months, allowing you to harvest baby carrots in November or December.

Growers in higher latitudes shouldn’t expect to harvest late-planted carrots in the fall, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to sow them. Cold-hardy carrots will continue to grow slowly throughout the winter, then speed up their growth when the days lengthen. This growth pattern means you can expect to harvest the roots in February, March, or April the following year.

No matter where you live, directly sow carrot seeds in your garden. Loosen the soil before you plant, then sow the seeds an inch apart in rows spaced four to ten inches apart. Keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate. This can take up to two or three weeks during cooler weather.

Carrots can tolerate below-freezing temperatures, but the plants will appreciate a protective layer of row cover when the air drops below 25°F (-4°C). Even if the large outer leaves die back, the smaller ones will keep growing and take off when temperatures warm.

Radishes

Quick-growing radishes are ready to harvest in under a month.

It’s too late to plant larger storage radishes, but you can still sneak in plantings of smaller varieties like ‘Cherry Belle’. The decreased day length means the roots will take longer to reach maturity than they do in the spring and late summer, but you’ll still be able to harvest the roots later in the fall. A late September planting will result in roots that are ready to harvest sometime in November, depending on your location.

Radishes grow best when directly sown, so plant the seeds in rows in your garden. Space each seed one to two inches apart and watch the greens for pests like harlequin bugs and cabbage worms. Covering the seedlings with row cover will protect them from pests and the cold.

These plants can tolerate some frost, but their greens will die back when temperatures go below 25°F (-4°C). Consistent below-freezing temperatures can also cause the roots to freeze and then thaw, leading to a mushy texture. Aim to harvest the radishes before harsh cold arrives. You can remove the tops and store them in the refrigerator for up to a month. 

Bok Choy

This green doesn’t mind temperature drops.

Bok choy is a cold-tolerant green that thrives in cooler weather. Smaller varieties can mature in less than two months in the fall, allowing you to sneak in a last-minute fall planting in late September or early October. Quick-maturing cultivars like ‘Toy Choy’ are the best options for this time of year, especially if you live in a lower growing zone.

Transplanting seedlings or directly sowing seeds are both suitable options for growing bok choy. Starting with seedlings is better for late plantings, but you can directly sow seeds if you don’t have transplants available. Space each plant six to ten inches apart, depending on how large you want the plants to grow before harvest.

Since bok choy plants are brassicas, they’re favorite targets of many fall pests. Cabbage worms, aphids, flea beetles, harlequin beetles, and other insects like to attack the tender leaves and stems. Covering the plants with row cover protects them from pests and also helps insulate against cold temperatures.

Bok choy is ready to harvest when the heads are full and dense. However, if frigid temperatures (below 20°F or -7°C) threaten the plants, you can harvest them at an earlier stage. 

Mache

Harvest when the leaves are around three inches long.

You may not have heard of mache, but this green may become your new favorite for cool weather. Also known as corn salad or lamb’s lettuce, mache is an impressively cold-tolerant green that can survive the late fall and winter. The greens can grow unprotected in zones 8 and above, and growers in colder climates can protect the plants with row cover.

Mache grows well from direct seeding, but the seeds will become dormant at temperatures above 70°F (21°C). That means the middle of fall is the perfect time to plant this green in much of the United States. Sow the seeds about an inch apart and keep the soil moist for the following two weeks.

After the seedlings germinate, thin them so they’re three to four inches apart. You can harvest mache at any stage, but many gardeners prefer waiting until the leaves are at least three inches long. Harvesting the entire rosette is common, but you can also pluck off the larger outer leaves.

Cilantro

Start with seedlings if you’re planting late.

You may think of cilantro as a warm-weather herb thanks to its use with tomatoes and cucumbers, but this herb grows best in cooler weather. The plants can survive below-freezing temperatures, so you can sneak in a last-minute fall planting before the days grow too short.

Direct sowing cilantro seeds works well, but starting with seedlings is a better option for late plantings. If you plant seeds this late in the year, the plants won’t have much time to mature before low light stalls their growth.

Cilantro can survive temperatures down to 20°F (-7°C) unprotected, and covering it with a layer of heavy row cover will protect it down to 0°F (-18°C). Harvest the plant’s largest outer leaves so the plant can keep growing throughout the fall and into the winter.

Bonus Crops for Warmer Areas

If you aren’t expecting your first frost until late October or even November, you can get away with planting a few more crops later in the season. Decreasing day length will still slow plant growth, so don’t expect the seedlings to take off like they do in the spring. Adding two to four weeks onto the plant’s predicted days to maturity is a good bet if you’re planting in late September.

Kale

Kale is one of the most cold-tolerant greens you can plant.

If you’ve thought ahead and started kale seeds in August or were lucky enough to find some fall seedlings at a garden center, you can still tuck kale into the ground. The plants will be slow growing, but you can begin harvesting sometime in November. Remember to keep an eye out for kale pests and remove them as necessary.

Swiss Chard

Protect tender leaves with a row cover to extend the season.

Although Swiss chard isn’t as cold-tolerant as other cooking greens, it can survive the winter in warmer growing zones, especially if you protect it with row cover. Space seedlings six inches apart for baby chard or twelve inches apart for larger leaves.

Collards

Gardeners in warmer climates can choose these greens for last-minute fall planting.

Collard greens have impressive cold tolerance and get sweeter after temperatures dip below freezing. Planting them in late September means they won’t size up in northern climates, but growers in southern areas can expect to harvest large, sweet leaves in the late fall.