Written By Lara Wadsworth

For many gardeners, fall symbolises the end of the gardening season. The smart gardeners see fall as another opportunity to plant a new phase of their garden. Starting seeds indoors, just like you would for spring and summer gardens, has some major benefits. The biggest benefit is that you can have another full harvest right before winter sets in! Giving your plants a head start indoors allows them to get started earlier and grow more robustly throughout the fall season. This guide highlights ten vegetables ideal for indoor sowing in preparation for fall planting.

Grow More with These Fall Garden Tips

It is possible to get a fall harvest in pretty much any zone that has fall-like weather. If you have a particularly short growing season, cold frames, unheated greenhouses, unheated hoop houses, and similar tools can all help to grow these crops.

The seeds I’ve listed below all thrive in cooler weather, but not necessarily snow and ice (with a couple of exceptions!). So, they need temperatures in the 40-70 F range. On the other end of things, those in zones 9-11 might struggle to have enough cool weather for some of these crops in the fall. In that case, growing them from late fall through winter is the solution. No matter what zone you’re in or when you’re growing them, starting them from seed indoors is the perfect way to give them a good head start.

Growing Broccoli For Fall Harvesting

Days to Maturity: 50-80

Transplant in August to September

As a classic cool-weather crop, broccoli is an ideal choice for a fall or winter garden. Start the seeds indoors about 3 months before your expected fall frost. Grow them indoors for 2-3 weeks until they have a few true leaves, and then harden them off (see below) and transplant them into the garden. They should reach maturity right around when you get the first frost of fall. I recommend Waltham 29 for a classic broccoli or Spring Broccoli Raab for a unique and very cold-hardy option.

Growing Cabbage For Fall Harvesting

Days to Maturity: 60-90

Transplant in August to September

Versatile, cold-hardy, and beautiful when mature, cabbage can be as ornamental as it is useful in some gardens. Start cabbage seeds indoors about 3 months before a fall frost is expected in your area and transplant them outside after they have developed 2-3 true leaves. Cabbage is notoriously loved by garden pests such as slugs, bunnies, and caterpillars. The major benefit of growing them in the fall is that these pests are not as active! I recommend Golden Acre for an early producer or Mammoth Red Rock for a large, red cabbage.

Growing Cauliflower For Fall Harvesting

Days to Maturity: 55-85

Transplant in August to September

Cauliflower requires a bit more attention, but rewards you with delicious heads. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the anticipated first frost. Transplant them when the seedlings are 4-5 weeks old. The University of Maryland Extension emphasizes the importance of consistent moisture and cool temperatures for optimal growth. I recommend Snowball Y Improved for a reliable classic cauliflower or Graffiti Hybrid for a fun purple variety.

Growing Kale For Fall Harvesting

Days to Maturity:

Transplant in August to September

Another crop that might be improved by exposure to frost, Kale is a no-brainer for fall and winter gardens. Plus, starting them from seed indoors not only saves money but gives them a head start in the garden. Start them indoors about 2 months before the first frost of fall and transplant them when they are about a month old to finish growing in the garden. Depending on your taste and texture preference, I recommend either Vates Blue Scotch Curled or Black Tuscan Lacinato Kale.

Growing Tip - Fertilize and Feed with Nitrogen

Besides their cold tolerance, each plant on this list loves loamy, nitrogen rich soils. If you have struggled to grow greens and other similar vegetables in the past, look to the soil. Nitrogen is critical for leaf development, root formation, and photosynthesis. Apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer multiple times throughout the season. Follow the directions and recommendations on the fertilizer packaging. For organic gardening, try composted chicken manure!

Growing Lettuce For Fall Harvesting

Days to Maturity: 25-65

Transplant when

With close to 100 different lettuce varieties to choose from at True Leaf Market alone, there is something for everyone. Quick to mature and easy to harvest, lettuce is an outstanding choice for any fall or winter garden. Rouge d'Hiver is my go-to for fall planting, but Tom Thumb is also vigorous in cool weather and is a delicious Butter Head option. Start the seeds indoors about 2-3 months before your first fall frost and transplant after they’ve developed two true leaves.

Growing Swiss Chard For Fall Harvesting

Days to Maturity: 25-60

Transplant in August to September

Resilient and highly valuable nutritionally, Swiss chard is a versatile green with excellent tolerance to light frosts. Start the seeds indoors about 3 months before the first frost and transplant after true leaves have developed. For fall and winter growing, I recommend Oriole Orange or Rainbow Mixture.

Growing Pak Choi/Bok Choy For Fall Harvesting

Days to Maturity: 30-60

Transplant in August to September

These adorable little leafy greens are fast-growing (30-40 days!) and perfect for fall gardens. Technically, it is a type of cabbage, but I wanted to give these a shoutout all on their own because they often go overlooked in American gardens. Start seeds indoors about 4-6 weeks before your first expected frost. Transplant seedlings when they’re 3-4 weeks old and have developed a few true leaves. Bok choy prefers cooler temperatures and can tolerate light frost, which enhances its flavor. I recommend White Stem for a tried and true favorite or Rosette for a particularly cold-tolerant option.

Growing Mustard Greens For Fall Harvesting

Days to Maturity: 20-50

Transplant in August to September

Known for their spicy flavor, mustard greens grow quickly and are ideal for fall harvesting. Start the seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the first frost and transplant once they have 2-3 true leaves. While mustard greens are grown mid-winter in the South, they can also be a great option for early to mid-fall gardens in other zones. I recommend Giant Curled for something classic or Tatsoi for an Asian culinary variety.

Growing Spinach For Fall Harvesting

Days to Maturity: 20-50

Transplant in August to September

Spinach is one of the crops on this list that must be grown in cooler weather. Spinach hates temperatures above 75 F for too long. It will cease to grow, and the texture will get tough. For this reason, it is ideal for fall and winter gardens. Start them indoors about 2 months before the first frost and transplant after 2-3 weeks. I recommend Lakeside Hybrid for something really close to what you get at the grocery store (plus incredible disease resistance!) or Dash Hybrid for something with extra temperature tolerance.

Growing Kohlrabi For Fall Harvesting

Days to Maturity: 45-60

Transplant in August to September

Kohlrabi is one of the easiest brassicas to grow for a fall harvest, and it thrives in the cool weather most other crops are winding down in. When temperatures stay above 80F for too long, kohlrabi can get woody and tough, so fall is the perfect time to grow it. Start seeds indoors about 8–10 weeks before your first frost and transplant after 3–4 weeks, or direct-sow in late summer if you prefer.

Growing Tip - Don't Forget the Importance of Hardening Off

Anytime you are starting seeds indoors, you must harden off the seedlings. This means gradually exposing them to their new environment over the course of 7-10 days. The process dramatically reduces transplant shock and will improve the vigor of your seedlings. Check out our easy-to-follow guide for more details about how to do that, but trust me when I say, do not skip it!

Starting seeds indoors allows gardeners in any growing zone to extend their harvest far beyond the summer garden. Enjoying fresh, home-grown produce into autumn or early winter is a satisfying accomplishment that will benefit your body and wallet. By selecting the right crops and following recommended timelines, you can ensure a successful and bountiful fall garden. Remember to consult your local extension office for specific planting dates and additional guidance tailored to your region!

Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer

I am a native of Southwestern Michigan, where I currently reside. I love all things plants! After completing a Bachelor's Degree in Horticulture, I found a dream work-from-home job that allows me to share my passion. Now, I spend my days writing for TLM, playing with my dog, eating delicious food with my husband, and plotting my next landscape or gardening move. I believe everyone should get down and dirty in the soil now and then. Happy Gardening!