Many vegetables can be grown successfully during fall in Georgia. After the hottest part of summer has passed, there is plenty of time to plant vegetable seeds or seedlings that will produce before -- and even during -- cold weather. With good timing and a little luck, you will have a large crop of vegetables to take you through late fall and into winter.
Greens for the Fall Garden
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Leafy green vegetables are some of the best plants to grow in a fall vegetable garden. In Georgia, these plants can be started from seeds sown directly in the garden. Collards (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) and the closely related kale (Brassica oleracea variations) can be planted in August; lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and spinach (Spinacia oleracea) in September. Many varieties of these greens are cold-tolerant and can even handle light frost.
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Above-Ground Fall Vegetables
Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) and cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) are two cold-tolerant vegetables perfect for a fall garden. Seedlings of these vegetables are usually available at garden centers for simple transplanting in August or September. Squash (Cucurbita spp.) seedlings or seeds also can be planted in August. Green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus) may be planted for fall, but they need an earlier start. Plant them in July, but take extra care to see that the soil stays moist until the young seedlings are established in their location.
Tip
A shade cloth can provide protection for seeds and seedlings planted during late-summer heat.
Root Vegetables for Fall
Many root crops grow well during fall weather. Beets (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris), carrots (Daucus carota), radishes (Raphanus sativus), onions (Allium cepa) and turnips (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa) all can be planted from August through mid-September for a fall crop. Seeds -- or sets in the case of onions -- are the easiest option for growing these vegetables.
The planting times for root, above-ground and leafy green vegetables are general guidelines that can be adjusted for where you live in Georgia. If you reside in northern Georgia, then use the early part of the range given; if you are a southern Georgia resident, use the later dates. All of the vegetables are grown as annuals.