Take advantage of the entire growing season with delicious cool-weather vegetable harvests.

If you love fresh produce, don’t miss out on the veggies that can be started now and harvested in the fall. In Michigan, the first frost of autumn usually occurs in late September or early October, giving you plenty of time to plan for these cool season favorites.

Quick growers

Radishes need just 30 days from seed germination until harvest. Leaf lettuce is another fast grower maturing after 50 days.

Two months to harvest

All of the following will be ready to harvest 60 days after germination: beets, broccoli, carrots, green beans, kale, kohlrabi, sugar peas, spinach, Swiss chard and turnips.

Cauliflower isn’t far behind at 65 days to maturation.

80 days or more

Cabbage and rutabaga plants mature about 80 days after germination. Brussels sprouts and collards take about 100 days. Collards are exceptionally cold hardy and can withstand temperatures as low as the upper teens.

Keep in mind that all harvest times are averages. If late summer and early fall are warm, produce may ripen sooner. If temperatures are cool, it may take longer for produce to be ready for your plate.

Sweeter after a frost

For some crops, it’s desirable to keep them in the garden through at least one frost. This is because freezing temps stimulate the plants to convert starches to sugars—meaning tastier veggies for you. Plants that sweeten after a frost include leeks, Swiss Chard, rutabagas, turnips, parsnips, cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, beets and carrots.

Start growing now before so you don’t miss out on these delicious cool-weather crops!

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