It might be nice to plant crops for a second harvest in the fall, but the reality where I live currently is that it is so bloody hot in August, when I might be setting plants for fall, that the plants and I would both expire. 

Combine that with the fact that, while August is technically summer, it is also referred to as the fifth season around here: fire season. Fire season means that even if your homestead isn’t directly affected by the possibility of wildfire, your lungs are. It isn’t uncommon to have days of VERY unhealthy air here — air bad enough that we stay inside. 

Fall Harvest Planting

But in an alternate reality, say on the other side of the state where temps are more temperate, winters are extremely mild, and coastal breezes keep the air fresh and sweet, I might, and in fact have, planted crops for a fall harvest. 

What did I plant? I planted beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots, cabbage, kale, leeks, and a couple varieties of lettuce, radishes, spinach, Swiss chard, and turnips. 

If you happen to live in an area where you can garner a second crop, I say go for it. There’s nothing like plucking your own fresh veggies for Thanksgiving if you can swing it. Don’t just stick to my list though. You can plant second crop spuds, French green beans, cauliflower, broccolini, leeks, endive, mustard greens, green onion, and herbs like cilantro and basil.

Also to broaden your culinary palate, quite a few Asian veggies such as bok choy and Napa cabbage are cool weather crops perfect for succession plantings for fall. 

So plant that second garden for fall harvest. Grow and harvest your fresh produce before Old Man Winter reminds us all we must wait impatiently until spring to get our hands dirty again.