Summer may still be in full swing, but savvy gardeners know that fall's best harvests start now. Cool-season crops thrive in the shorter days and crisp nights of autumn — and heirloom varieties bring flavors you simply won't find at the grocery store.
Here's how to prep your garden for a successful fall planting using open-pollinated, non-GMO heirloom seeds.
When to Start
Count back from your first expected frost date. Most cool-season crops need 30–60 days to mature, so for gardeners in USDA zones 5–7, mid-July through early August is the ideal window to direct sow or start transplants.
Best Heirloom Varieties for Fall
- Lettuce — One of the easiest fall crops. Our Black Seeded Simpson Heirloom Lettuce Seeds and Paris Island Romaine both handle light frost beautifully and can be harvested in as little as 45 days.
- Beets — Detroit Dark Red Heirloom Beet Seeds are a fall garden staple. Direct sow now for sweet, tender roots ready in 55–60 days. Both the greens and roots are edible — nothing goes to waste.
- Radishes — The fastest reward in the fall garden. Early Scarlet Globe matures in just 25 days, while Gourmet French Breakfast Radish adds a mild, elegant flavor to fall salads.
- Herbs — Many herbs thrive in cool weather. Italian Heirloom Parsley, Forest Green Parsley, and Sweet Aromatic Fennel are all cold-tolerant and productive well into the season.
Soil Prep Tips
Before sowing, work a 2-inch layer of compost into your beds to replenish nutrients depleted by summer crops. Ensure good drainage — cool-season roots like beets and radishes don't like waterlogged soil. A light mulch after germination will help regulate soil temperature as nights cool down.
Save Your Seeds
One of the greatest advantages of heirloom varieties is that you can save seeds from your best plants each season. Let a few lettuce plants bolt, collect the dried seed heads, and you'll have next year's crop for free — the way gardeners have done it for generations.
Ready to Plant?
Browse our full selection of cool-season heirloom seeds at Garden Heirloom Seeds and get your fall garden started today.