By Sara Toler
1. Fast-Growing Cool-Season Crops
This is prime time to sow quick-maturing veggies for early autumn harvest:
- Radishes – One of the fastest options, ready in as little as 3–4 weeks (possibly 6–7 in cooler weather).
- Leaf lettuce, arugula, and spinach – Leafy greens that thrive in cooler conditions; many microgreen mixes (including beet, broccoli, kale, mustard, cabbage, swiss chard) are ideal now.
- Beets, turnips, kohlrabi, baby greens – Good choices for early fall, offering variety and versatility.
2. Heartier Fall Vegetables
For crops that aren’t as fast, but will still yield before frost:
- Carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Swiss chard, kale, collard greens, mustard greens, spinach, turnips, rutabaga, brussels sprouts, peas – excellent fall crops that thrive in cooler temperatures.
- Brussels sprouts and cabbage also offer long storage lifespans, making them perfect for winter meals.
- Winter squash is another great option that stores well and has a wide variety of uses.
3. Quick-Finish Options After Harvesting Garlic or Summer Crops
If you’ve just cleared out garlic or summer veggies:
- Sow cucumbers, bush beans, broccoli, cabbage, radishes, or carrots, depending on days to frost—many mature in ~60 days.
4. Long-Term, Cold-Hardy Planning
Plant now for extended seasons or winter harvesting:
- Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, kale, lettuce, spinach, turnips, Swiss chard, beets, and alliums like onions, garlic, and leeks are reliable for cold tolerance when paired with mulch or season-extenders.
- Use cold frames, hoops, or low tunnels to protect vulnerable crops through early freezes.
5. Why Act Now?
- Even after frost, root crops like carrots, beets, turnips, radishes, and rutabaga remain in the ground and can be harvested until frozen if mulched.
- Gardeners are encouraged now to sow radishes, beets, and leafy greens for an early autumn blast of fresh produce.
- Late summer/fall is optimal for setting up healthy beds and sowing cool-season crops like lettuce and radishes; it’s also a good time to plant bulbs for spring.
Tips for Success
- Check your local first frost date (often mid–late October here), then count back the crop’s days to maturity to ensure even the slower growers have time.
- Succession sowing is your friend—plant radishes and leaf greens every 1–2 weeks for a continual harvest.
- Mulch root vegetables (e.g., with straw) to protect from frost and allow harvesting into colder weather.
- Use season-extending tools (cold frames, row covers) to protect tender greens or extend harvest into winter.
Right now in Michigan—late August—is still prime real estate for planting. Fast-growers bring quick returns; heartier, cold-resistant crops set you up for fall and even winter harvests. Use mulch and protective tools smartly, and succession plants to maximize yields.