Living in zone 9, our hot summers make growing some crops very difficult. So, I look forward to the cooling temperatures that November has to offer. The cooler temperatures of fall will sweeten my leafy greens and I can worry less about pests and bolting. The one downfall, to fall is that crops may take a few more weeks to reach their full growth due to shorter daylight hours.
Here are a few varieties that I like to grow at this time of year.
1. Arugula sown in fall provides a milder flavor and attracts flea beetles less than spring-sown crops.
2. Beets, great for juicing, roasting, or pickled. Their earthy flavor can be added to numerous dishes.
3. Broccoli Raab is fast growing and you can cut it 2–3 times and keep enjoying the slightly spicy flavor for weeks.
4. Collards are heat tolerant and survive temperatures as low as 20°F. Collards, make a wonderful side dish or a main course, which leads to my love of this green.
5. Kale gets sweeter, as the wind gets cooler, and adds diversity to the kitchen as it’s great in soups, salads, and smoothes.
6. Kohlrabi is a new addition to my garden, but its mild flavor is growing on me.
7. Lettuce is a garden must have all year long. However, in my area, it grows the best fall into winter. I mainly grow the loose-leaf varieties due to their cut and come again appeal.
8. Peas are a childhood favorite of mine, so I always make room for them in the fall garden.
9. Radishes will grow year-round for me, like most of the items on this list and because they are ready to eat in 25 days, I usually have a few growing all year. However, the taste is best as the air cools, so I plant the largest amount this time of year and freeze them. Breakfast, watermelon, and daikon are my favorites.
10. Spinach is also sweetened with cooling temperatures and can over-winter with no problem.
Under the right conditions, the crops on this list will all maturity in 60days, or less, and are all container friendly. Making them a must-have.
Happy sowing!