13 Fast Growing Vegetable Crops for the Fall Garden

Discover 13 fast-growing vegetable perfect for your fall garden! Learn expert tips on planting times, soil prep, and care for a bountiful autumn harvest. Ideal for gardeners of all levels.

Fall gardening offers a second chance to enjoy fresh, homegrown vegetable before winter sets in. These 13 fast-growing crops can be planted in late summer or early fall and harvested within 4-8 weeks, depending on your climate. Key vegetables include leafy greens, root crops, and cool-season favorites that thrive in autumn’s milder temperatures.

Hey there, fellow gardeners! I’m Tom, and I’ve been cultivating fall gardens for over 20 years. Let me share my top picks for fast-growing veggies that’ll give you a bountiful autumn harvest. Trust me, there’s nothing quite like the taste of fresh fall produce!

13 Fast Growing Vegetable Crops for the 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 maturity: 21-40 days
Arugula is a peppery leafy green that’s perfect for salads
Sow seeds directly in the garden every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest

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 maturity: 21-30 days
One of the fastest-growing vegetables
Choose varieties like ‘Cherry Belle’ or ‘French Breakfast’ for quick results

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 maturity: 30-45 days
Thrives in cooler temperatures
Rich in nutrients and versatile in the kitchen

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 maturity: 30-60 days (depending on variety)
Choose loose-leaf varieties for quickest harvest
Succession planting ensures a continuous supply

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 maturity: 30-60 days
Both roots and greens are edible
‘Tokyo Cross’ is a fast-maturing variety

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 maturity: 50-65 days
Extremely cold-hardy
Becomes sweeter after light frost

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 maturity: 30-40 days
Spicy flavor that mellows when cooked
Harvest young leaves for milder taste

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 maturity: 45-50 days
Asian green that’s great in stir-fries
Choose ‘Baby Bok Choy’ varieties for faster harvest

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 maturity: 50-60 days
Colorful stems add visual interest to the garden
Continues producing until hard frost

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 maturity: 50-60 days (for baby carrots)
Choose shorter varieties like ‘Paris Market’ for quicker harvest
Sweeten with fall’s cooler temperatures

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 maturity: 45-60 days
Unique vegetable with a crisp, mild flavor
‘Early White Vienna’ is a fast-growing variety

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 maturity: 60-70 days
Choose snow or snap peas for edible pods
‘Sugar Ann’ is a quick-maturing snap pea variety

Tips for Successful Fall Gardening

To ensure a bountiful harvest, keep these tips in mind:

Calculate planting dates: Use your area’s average first frost date to plan backwards for planting times.
Prepare soil: Amend soil with compost to replenish nutrients after summer crops.
Provide adequate water: Consistent moisture is crucial for seed germination and young plants.
Use season extenders: Cold frames or row covers can protect crops from early frosts.
Watch for pests: Keep an eye out for cabbage worms and aphids, which can be common in fall gardens.

Conclusion

Fall gardening is a fantastic way to extend your growing season and enjoy fresh, homegrown vegetables well into autumn. These 13 fast-growing crops are perfect for gardeners looking to make the most of the cooler months. Remember, timing is key in fall gardening, so plan your plantings carefully based on your local climate.

Happy fall gardening, and may your autumn harvests be bountiful!

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