The days are getting shorter and there’s a chill in the air. And according to the Family Handyman, that means it is time to plant winter-season veggies. Check out your plant hardiness zone before you get started. And those of you who live in cold climates need to start planting right away. Of course, gardeners in warmer climates have a broader planting window.
Zones Three and Four
Though the growing season is shortest for northern gardeners, there’s still some time to grow more veggies before a hard freeze, especially with the right garden tools and gear.
- Vegetables to plant in October: Garlic.
Zones Five and Six
Before you plant fall veggies, add some compost to the soil to improve its texture and add nutrients.
- Vegetables to plant in October: Garlic.
Zones Seven and Eight
A later first frost date gives gardeners in these zones more options than their friends up north.
- Vegetables to plant in October: Garlic, onion sets, radish and spinach (plant before the 15th).
- Vegetables to plant in November: Asparagus and onion sets.
- Vegetables to plant in December: Asparagus.
Zones Nine and Ten
Some warm season vegetables can be planted in these southern zones in fall, and cold-hardy crops like broccoli and kale can even be planted in early winter.
- Vegetables to plant in October: Beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, collards, garlic, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, onion (seed & sets), radishes, spinach, strawberries and turnips.
- Vegetables to plant in November: Beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, collards, kale, kohlrabi, onions (seed & sets), radishes, spinach and strawberries.
- Vegetables to plant in December: Beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, kale, onions (seed & sets) and radishes.
- All of these recommended planting dates are approximate. Check with your local cooperative extension office, which should have a planting calendar for your area.
—
Photo Credit: Yuganov Konstantin / Shutterstock.com