13 Fast-Growing Vegetables Crops for the Fall Garden

Discover the 13 fastest-growing vegetables for your fall garden, including arugula, radishes, spinach, and more! Get expert tips for a thriving autumn harvest.

13 Fast Growing Vegetable Crops for the Fall Garden

As a gardener with over a decade of experience, I’ve learned that fall isn’t just about pumpkin spice—it’s prime time for growing crisp, nutrient-rich veggies! Cooler temperatures and fewer pests make autumn gardening a joy, especially when you choose fast-growing vegetables that thrive in brisk weather. Below, I’ll share my top 13 picks (perfect for beginners!) and actionable tips to maximize your harvest before winter.

Why Grow a Fall Garden?

Fall gardening extends your growing season and rewards you with sweeter, frost-kissed greens and roots. Many crops, like kale and carrots, develop enhanced flavors after a light frost. Plus, you’ll save money on groceries and enjoy fresh produce straight from your backyard.

The 13 Fastest Vegetables for Your Fall Garden

1. Arugula (Rocket)

A lush garden bed filled with fresh, vibrant arugula leaves, showing their signature peppery green color. The arugula plants are densely sown, with some leaves ready for harvest while others are still growing. The leaves have a slightly jagged edge and are upright, basking in soft sunlight. The background features a light scattering of garden soil, and you can spot tiny arugula seeds being sowed by hand. A small label or garden marker identifies the plant as 'Arugula.' The overall scene feels fresh and inviting, perfect for a garden harvest.

Days to Harvest: 21–40 days .
Tips: Direct sow seeds every 2–3 weeks for a continuous supply. Baby leaves are ready in just 3 weeks!
Best Varieties: Astro, Wild Rocket
Fun Fact: Arugula’s peppery zing mellows when cooked—try it in soups or pesto!

2. Radishes

A vibrant garden scene featuring clusters of radish plants with lush green tops and colorful radishes poking out of the soil. The focus is on bright red 'Cherry Belle' radishes and slender, red-and-white 'French Breakfast' radishes. Some radishes are fully grown, ready for harvest, while others are still maturing. The soil is moist and rich, contrasting with the bold colors of the radishes. A pair of hands is gently pulling one from the earth, showcasing the fast-growing nature of this vegetable. The scene is sunny and fresh, emphasizing the quick results of growing radishes.

Days to Harvest: 20–30 days
Tips: Thin seedlings early to prevent crowding. Opt for quick varieties like ‘Cherry Belle’ (24 days!).
Best Varieties: French Breakfast, Easter Egg Blend
Personal Hack: Roast radishes with honey for a sweet, caramelized treat.

3. Spinach

A close-up view of healthy spinach plants growing in a garden bed, showcasing their vibrant green leaves. Some plants are still in the seedling stage, while others are mature and ready for harvest. A hand is gently pulling out a spinach leaf, emphasizing its freshness. In the background, a protective row cover can be seen, hinting at the plant's resilience to cool weather. The scene is bathed in soft sunlight, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that highlights the beauty and health benefits of spinach.

Days to Harvest: 30–45 days
Tips: Sow in partial shade to avoid bolting. Harvest outer leaves to keep plants productive.
Best Varieties: Bloomsdale, Giant Noble

4. Lettuce

A lush garden bed filled with a variety of fresh, crisp lettuce heads. The vibrant greens range from light, tender butterhead lettuce to deep, textured romaine and frilly leaf lettuce varieties. The leaves are moist with morning dew, and some are ready for harvest. A hand is shown delicately picking a few outer leaves. The background includes rich, dark garden soil, and small lettuce seedlings can be seen in the distance, indicating continuous sowing. The scene is bright and sunlit, showcasing the refreshing and abundant nature of homegrown lettuce.

Days to Harvest: 30–60 days
Tips: Choose loose-leaf types like Black Seeded Simpson for speedy results.
Best Varieties: Buttercrunch, Red Oak Leaf

5. Turnips

A flourishing garden bed showcasing turnip plants with vibrant, edible green tops and round, white turnip bulbs emerging from the rich soil. The bulbs are smooth and firm, with some fully grown and others still maturing. The focus is on the 'Tokyo Cross' variety, known for its fast growth, with gardeners harvesting both the leafy greens and the tender white roots. A hand is seen picking a turnip, highlighting its dual-purpose as both greens and roots are edible. Sunlight bathes the scene, giving the turnip leaves a healthy, crisp look, and a small garden marker identifies the variety as 'Tokyo Cross.

Days to Harvest: 30–60 days (roots), 20–30 days (greens)
Tips: Grow ‘Tokyo Cross’ for tender salad turnips. Don’t toss the greens—sauté them with garlic!

6. Kale

A vibrant garden filled with deep green kale plants, their curly and textured leaves standing tall and lush. The hardy kale plants appear strong, thriving in cool weather, with a hint of frost lightly dusting the edges of the leaves, giving them a slight sheen. The focus is on the resilience of kale, with the plants looking even fresher after the frost, emphasizing their sweetness. The garden soil is dark and rich, and a few kale seedlings can be seen in the background, indicating continuous growth. A small garden marker identifies the plant as 'Kale.' The scene is cool, crisp, and bright with soft sunlight filtering through.

Days to Harvest: 20–50 days (baby leaves), 50–65 days (mature)
Tips: Frost sweetens kale! Try ‘Lacinato’ for hearty soups.
Personal Favorite: I add kale to morning smoothies for a nutrient boost.

7. Mustard Greens

A vibrant garden bed full of mustard greens with their large, glossy, slightly crinkled leaves spreading out. The leaves range from a rich green to a lighter shade, some young and tender, ready for harvest. The focus is on the distinct texture and the slight curl of the mustard greens, emphasizing their spicy flavor. A gardener’s hand is gently harvesting young leaves, showcasing their milder taste. The background features healthy, dark soil, and soft sunlight highlights the fresh, spicy nature of the greens. A small garden marker identifies the plant as 'Mustard Greens.

Days to Harvest: 20–40 days
Tips: Harvest young leaves for milder flavor. ‘Southern Giant Curled’ thrives in cool weather.

8. Beets

A thriving garden bed filled with beet plants, their deep green, slightly red-veined leaves rising above the soil. Beneath the foliage, round, red beet roots of the 'Early Wonder' variety are starting to emerge from the dark, rich earth. Some fully matured beets are ready for harvest, showcasing their vibrant red color. A gardener’s hand is gently pulling one beet out by the greens, revealing the edible root and leaves. The soft autumn sunlight gives the scene a golden glow, enhancing the fall planting atmosphere. A small garden marker identifies the plant as 'Beets – Early Wonder.

Days to maturity: 50-60 days
Both roots and greens are edible
‘Early Wonder’ is a good variety for fall planting

9. Bok Choy (Pak Choi)

A thriving garden filled with mature Bok Choy plants, showcasing their vibrant green leaves and crisp, white stems. The Bok Choy heads are tightly packed and upright, creating a lush, leafy canopy above the soil. Some of the plants are at various stages of maturity, with a few ready for harvest, emphasizing their quick growth cycle of 45-50 days. A gardener is seen inspecting the plants, holding a basket ready to collect fresh Bok Choy for a stir-fry. The sun casts warm light over the scene, highlighting the freshness and vitality of the plants. A small garden marker is visible, clearly labeled 'Bok Choy.

Days to Harvest: 25–30 days (greens), 50–60 days (roots)
Tips: Dual-purpose crop! Beet greens taste like Swiss chard.
Best Varieties: Detroit Dark Red, Early Wonder

10. Swiss Chard

A vibrant garden bed filled with Swiss Chard, showcasing its large, crinkled leaves in a variety of colors, including deep green, bright red, and golden yellow. The sturdy, colorful stems stand tall, creating a striking visual contrast against the rich, dark soil. Some leaves are fully grown and ready for harvest, while others are still young and tender. A gardener is shown gently cutting a few mature leaves, emphasizing the plant's versatility in salads and cooking. The sunlight filters through the leaves, illuminating their textures and colors, while a small garden marker identifies the plant as 'Swiss Chard.

Days to Harvest: 50–60 days
Tips: Rainbow chard brightens garden beds. Cut outer leaves to prolong harvests.

11. Carrots

A vibrant garden scene featuring rows of baby carrots with lush green tops and their bright orange roots peeking out from the dark, rich soil. The focus is on the short, round 'Paris Market' variety, known for its quick growth and sweet flavor. Some carrots are fully matured and ready for harvest, while others are still developing, showcasing a variety of sizes. revealing its sweet, tender root. The garden is illuminated by soft autumn sunlight, with a hint of coolness in the air that enhances the sweetness of the carrots. A small garden marker identifies the crop as 'Carrots – Paris Market.

Days to Harvest: 50–60 days (baby), 75–90 days (full)
Tips: Plant ‘Little Finger’ in loose soil. Frost boosts their sweetness!

12. Kohlrabi

A thriving garden bed filled with healthy kohlrabi plants, showcasing their distinctive bulbous stems and large, leafy tops. The kohlrabi bulbs are a vibrant shade of pale green or purple, emerging just above the soil, with some ready for harvest and others still growing. The leaves are broad and lush, adding to the plant's overall appeal. Soft sunlight filters through the leaves, highlighting the unique shape and texture of the kohlrabi. A small garden marker is visible, labeled 'Kohlrabi.

Days to Harvest: 45–60 days
Tips: Peel and slice the bulb for crunchy salads.
Best Varieties: Early White Vienna

13. Peas

A flourishing vegetable garden filled with rows of lush pea plants, showcasing their delicate green leaves and tendrils climbing up support structures. Bright green pea pods dangle from the vines, some still immature while others are plump and ready for harvest. The ground is rich and well-tended, with a few fallen pea pods scattered around, hinting at a bountiful harvest. The scene is bathed in warm sunlight, highlighting the vibrant green hues and the overall freshness of the garden. A small garden marker identifies the crop as 'Peas.

Days to Harvest: 60–70 days
Tips: Snow peas like ‘Sugar Ann’ thrive in cool temps. Use trellises for vertical growth.

Pro Tips for a Successful Fall Garden

1. Timing is Everything

Calculate planting dates using your area’s first frost date (find yours via Farmers’ Almanac). Count backward from this date using each crop’s “days to maturity” 69.

2. Boost Soil Health

Amend soil with compost or aged manure to replenish nutrients after summer crops. I always mix in a slow-release fertilizer like Espoma Garden-Tone for robust growth.

3. Water Wisely

Keep soil consistently moist—cooler days mean slower evaporation. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses work best 11.

4. Protect from Frost

Use row covers or cold frames to shield plants. In my Tennessee garden (Zone 7b), I’ve saved kale under blankets during sudden freezes!

5. Grow in Pots

Short on space? Radishes, arugula, and bok choy thrive in containers. Try these container gardening tips from my site.

Final Thoughts

Fall gardening is a race against the clock, but with these fast-growing vegetables, you’ll enjoy fresh salads, roasted roots, and stir-fries well into winter. For more guidance, explore my Fall Garden Planning Guide or check out the University of Minnesota Extension for zone-specific advice.

Happy planting, and may your autumn harvests be abundant! 🌱

For more gardening tips and plant care guides, visit usagardenhub.com.