Autumn · Vegetables Your Garden Isn't Done Yet Late summer is one of the best planting windows of the year. Here's what to sow now for a harvest well into autumn. Most gardeners treat late summer as the season to start winding down, but it is actually one of the best windows of the year to plant. The soil is still warm from months of sun, days are shortening just enough to favor leafy growth over bolting, and cooler nights ahead mean sweeter, more tender crops by the time you harvest. A second planting now can carry your garden well into autumn, and in mild climates, right through the winter. Here is what to get in the ground in the coming weeks, how to protect it as temperatures drop, and a simple timeline to keep it all straight. Why Late Summer Is Prime Time for a Second Planting Many vegetables that struggle or bolt in the heat of midsummer actually perform better sown now. Cooler air temperatures slow the plant's rush to flower and set seed, which is wha...
Practical growing guides, plant care tips, and seasonal advice for home gardeners of every experience level, from backyard beginners to seasoned green thumbs.