🥦 Planting Fall “Cole” Crop Vegetables!

As summer’s vegetables begin to fade, it’s the perfect time to shift gears and start thinking about your fall vegetable garden. One of the best ways to take advantage of the cooler season is by planting “Cole” crops—a family of hardy, cool-loving vegetables that thrive in autumn temperatures. It’s worth noting that Cole crops can also be planted in early spring and harvested before summer’s heat arrives though we find fall Cole crops to be more successful!

What Are Cole Crops?

Aften mistakenly heard for “cold” thanks to the fact they cooler temperatures, “Cole” crops belong to the Brassica family and include:

• 🥬 Cabbage
• 🥦 Broccoli
• 🥬 Kale
• 🥦 Cauliflower
• 🌿 Brussels sprouts
• 🥗 Collards
• 🌱 Mustard
• 🌿 Turnips

🥕 Though not a part of the Brassica family lettuce, carrots, beets, and onions are often included in the “Cole” crop family as they can be planted in the fall!

Why Plant Them in Fall?

Fall offers ideal growing conditions for Cole crops:

• Cooler temps reduce pest pressure (especially cabbage worms and aphids).
• The flavor of many brassicas actually improves after a light frost!
• Consistent moisture and shorter daylight hours promote steady, stress-free growth.

When to Plant?

Timing is everything. In our region, Cole crops should be planted from late August through mid-September for optimal harvest. You can plant as late as early October but your harvest will all depend on how the weather falls. Some years an early October crop offer a bountiful harvest, other years not so much.

How to plant?

Plant your fall crops just as you would your summer crops!

• ☀️ Full sun is best!
• 💊 Fertilize with a slow-release fertilizer such as Osmocote!

Fall vegetable require a lot less work than summer vegetables both to grow and harvest! So sit back and slip a cup of apple cider and enjoy all that fall has to offer!

Pro Tip: Stagger Your Planting

For an extended harvest, plant a few of each crop every week or two. That way, you’ll enjoy fresh produce deep into the fall season! We often pick our last heads of broccoli in January or February!

Stop by Gary’s Garden Center and check out our fresh shipment of fall vegetable transplants, compost, and soil amendments. Our team is happy to help you plan your fall garden and answer any questions about spacing, and fertilizing.

Fall is one of the best (and most overlooked) gardening seasons. Let’s grow together! We help you grow!