Plant in Summer for a Fall Harvest!
Summer may be winding down, but your garden doesn't have to. Late summer—typically late July through early August in New Jersey—is the perfect time to plant a second round of vegetables for a robust fall harvest. The Garden State’s climate offers a generous growing window, and with a little planning, your beds can stay productive well into October or even November.
Here are the top vegetables to plant in New Jersey in late summer for fresh, homegrown flavor in the cooler months.
🥬 1. Lettuce
Lettuce loves the cooler temperatures of early fall and matures quickly—many varieties are ready in just 30–50 days. Loose-leaf and romaine types do particularly well in New Jersey’s autumn climate.
Best Varieties: Black Seeded Simpson, Red Sails, Little Gem
Tip: Sow every 1–2 weeks for a steady harvest through fall.
🥦 2. Broccoli
Broccoli thrives in cooler weather and develops better flavor in the fall. Start seedlings indoors in late July or direct sow in early August.
Best Varieties: De Cicco (fast-maturing), Waltham 29
Tip: Use row covers early on to protect young plants from cabbage worms.
🥕 3. Carrots
Carrots grow best when they mature in cool soil, making late summer an ideal planting time. Sow directly into the ground and keep soil moist until germination.
Best Varieties: Danvers 126, Scarlet Nantes, Bolero
Tip: Thin seedlings to allow proper root development.
🥬 4. Kale
This leafy green improves in flavor after a light frost, developing a sweeter, nuttier taste. It’s cold-hardy and easy to grow from seed or transplant.
Best Varieties: Lacinato (Dinosaur), Red Russian, Winterbor
Tip: Harvest outer leaves regularly to encourage continued growth.
🥦 5. Cauliflower
A bit trickier than broccoli, cauliflower still performs well if started early enough. Use transplants for a head start, and aim to get them in the ground by early August.
Best Varieties: Snow Crown, Amazing
Tip: Keep soil consistently moist and consider blanching heads by tying leaves over them for better color.
🥬 6. Spinach
Spinach prefers cool soil and grows rapidly, making it a great late-season crop. You can sow seeds as late as early September and harvest baby leaves in a few weeks.
Best Varieties: Bloomsdale Long Standing, Space
Tip: Mulch well to extend the season and protect against frost.
🥦 7. Turnips
Turnips grow quickly and both the greens and roots are edible. Sow seeds directly in the garden in August and enjoy a harvest by mid-fall.
Best Varieties: Hakurei (sweet and tender), Purple Top White Globe
Tip: Thin to 3–4 inches apart once seedlings emerge.
🧄 8. Garlic (Bonus: For Next Year!)
While not a fall harvest crop, late September to early November is the time to plant garlic in New Jersey. It overwinters in the soil and will be ready for harvest the following summer.
Best Varieties: German White, Music, Spanish Roja
Tip: Plant cloves 2 inches deep and mulch heavily.
General Fall Planting Tips for NJ Gardeners:
Know your first frost date: Most of NJ sees the first frost between October 15–30.
Count backwards: Check each vegetable’s days to maturity and make sure it will have time to grow before frost.
Use row covers: Protect young or frost-sensitive crops as temperatures dip.
Improve soil: Add compost or aged manure before planting your fall crops.
Keep watering: Late summer can be dry—maintain consistent moisture for healthy growth.
