487 - Fastest Fall Crops If You're Starting Late
487 - Fastest Fall Crops If You're Starting Late  
Podcast: The Beginner's Garden with Jill McSheehy
Published On: Tue Sep 01 2026
Description: Think you've missed your chance to plant a fall garden? You may still have time to grow a harvest, even if September is already here. The key is knowing your average first frost date and choosing fall crops that can mature in the time you have left. In this episode, I'll help you figure out what you can still plant based on the number of weeks before your first frost. We'll cover fast-growing greens and radishes, when transplants make more sense than seeds, and why your USDA zone isn't the best number to use for fall planting. Free Download: Fall Salad Garden Planning Calendar Know when to plant for fresh greens throughout the fall season. http://journeywithjill.net/fallsaladgarden Key Takeaways Find your average first frost date. Choose crops based on time remaining. Direct sow fast-growing greens late. Use transplants for a head start. Expect smaller harvests when planting late. Chapters 00:02 – Is it too late to plant? 02:37 – Find your first frost date 05:32 – How much cold crops tolerate 07:38 – What to plant with limited time 10:03 – Easily sow baby greens 12:28 – Add lettuce, kale, and brassicas 14:51 – Options with eight-plus weeks 17:11 – Where to find fall transplants 19:38 – Why a small garden is worthwhile 21:01 – Match crops to your timeline Resource Links Fall Salad Garden Planning Calendar: http://journeywithjill.net/fallsaladgarden Friday Emails + Beginner's Garden Resource Vault: https://journeywithjill.net/gardensignup YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneywithjillNet/videos Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeginnersgarden/ Podcast Archive: https://journeywithjill.net/the-beginners-garden-podcast/ Recommended Brands & Products: https://journeywithjill.net/recommended-brands-and-products/ Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/thebeginnersgarden Complete Garden Planner: Ready for a simple system to plan and track your garden? My Complete Garden Planner makes it easy. https://shop.journeywithjill.net/ Disclaimer Gardening advice shared in this podcast is based on my own experience in Zone 8a (Arkansas) and from the feedback I receive from others in different gardening contexts. Your results may differ depending on your location, climate, and growing conditions. Always check your local extension service or trusted resources for region-specific guidance. Some links mentioned may be affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.