Written by Olivia Barrera
Gardening is a great way to get in touch with nature, spend time outside, learn about seasonality, and connect with food. Gardeners earn an appreciation for the work it takes to grow food and it’s a great way to learn how to cook new types of food. Not to mention, gardening can be an extremely cost-effective way to gain access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Reaping the joys of gardening doesn’t have to end with the summer season. There are many fall crops that can be enjoyed later in the year and even overwintered to harvest next spring or summer.
The most important variable when choosing a fall crop is its susceptibility to frost. Detroit’s estimated frost date is October 23rd this year according to The Farmer’s Almanac. Also check seed packets for each variety’s seed to maturity time. Most plants won’t survive through a heavy snow so 60-90 days to maturity is the range we’re looking for.
Considering nurseries won’t have transplants for sale this time of year and late-season crops will be grown from seed, it is also a great time to garden on a budget! Most seed packets cost around $2 so if you plant just three heads of cabbage ($1.50 apiece at the grocery store), you have already made your money back! One seed pack contains anywhere from 25 to 200 seeds and if stored correctly, seeds can last a couple of years or longer. Just read the back of the seed packet for directions on how to grow each plant.
In addition to cabbage, lettuce, peas, beans, broccoli and cauliflower, the following foods are frost tolerant and can actually develop more flavor when exposed to frost, click through for recipe ideas:
Turnips
Chicken with Vegetables
Radicchio
Bitter Greens Salad with Melted Cheese
Photo and recipe by Epicurious
Brussels Sprouts
Crispy Asian Brussels Sprouts
Photo and recipe by Healthy Recipes
Kohlrabi
Roasted Kohlrabi with Parmesan
Photo and recipe by Food Network
Beets
Pickle Beets
Photo and recipe by Yummy Mummy Kitchen
Celeriac
Crispy Oil-Free Celeriac
Photo and recipe by One Green Planet
Garlic
Garlic is a special case because it is planted in autumn to be harvested the following year. Bulbs should be planted 6 weeks before the first frost and in Michigan that date typically falls in October. Spring planting is an alternate option that yields a smaller harvest but can a good time to sow if growing for scapes: garlic’s delicious curly stems. Garlic plants grow best in well-drained soil and bulbs can be harvested in July.
Sautéed Greens
Photo and recipe by Cooking Matters
Enjoy extending the growing season with these delicious vegetables!
Sources and further reading:
- CANR MSU – Producing Garlic in Michigan
- Rural Sprout – 10 Vegetables to Plant in Fall for an Early Spring Harvest
- Empress of Dirt – 16 Garden Vegetables that Sweeten with Frost
- The Old Farmer’s Almanac – Detroit, MI Frost Dates
- Gardening Chores – 13 Vegetables to Plant in Fall for an Early Spring Harvest