Missouri gardeners, late summer isn’t the end of planting season—it’s the start of something great. I’ve tucked seeds into the soil this time of year and watched them take off like it’s spring all over again.
These 20 crops actually prefer the cooler nights and warm days that late summer brings. With the right picks, your fall harvest can be just as satisfying as your summer one.
Let’s stretch the season and pack those garden beds with fresh flavor!
1. Kale
Frost actually improves the flavor of this leafy green, making it sweeter and more tender. Missouri gardeners love how kale keeps producing long after other garden plants have surrendered to cold weather.
Plant seeds directly in your Missouri garden in August, and you’ll enjoy nutritious harvests well into November or even December with minimal protection.
2. Spinach
Summer heat makes spinach bolt quickly, but late-season plantings thrive in cooling temperatures. The milder Missouri autumn creates perfect conditions for tender, sweet leaves without the bitterness that summer heat causes.
Sow seeds every two weeks starting in mid-August for continuous harvests throughout fall. Many Missouri gardeners find fall spinach outperforms spring plantings in both flavor and yield.
3. Radishes
Quick-growing radishes give almost instant garden gratification when summer feels like it’s winding down. From seed to harvest in just 21-30 days, they’re perfect for impatient Missouri gardeners looking for fast results.
The cooling temperatures in late summer Missouri actually prevent radishes from becoming woody or overly spicy. Plant them in batches two weeks apart for continuous crunchy harvests.
4. Lettuce
Missouri’s hot summers make growing lettuce challenging, but late summer plantings thrive as temperatures moderate. The cooler nights prevent bolting while the still-warm soil helps seeds germinate quickly.
Choose heat-tolerant varieties for August planting in the Show-Me State. A light row cover can extend your harvest even further when frost threatens in late October or November.
5. Carrots
Fall carrots develop an incredible sweetness as soil temperatures drop in Missouri. The plants convert starches to sugars when exposed to light frosts, creating nature’s candy right in your garden.
Plant seeds in late July through August, ensuring soil stays consistently moist during germination. Missouri gardeners often find fall carrots store better than spring-planted ones, providing homegrown goodness well into winter.
6. Beets
Both the roots and greens of beets make this a double-duty crop perfect for late summer planting. Missouri’s warm August soil helps seeds germinate quickly, while the cooling fall temperatures develop sweeter roots.
Direct sow seeds in early August for a fall harvest. Many Missouri gardeners find that fall beets develop deeper color and flavor than those grown in spring’s more variable conditions.
7. Bush Beans
A second planting of bush beans in late July or early August can yield a bountiful fall harvest before frost. These quick producers take advantage of Missouri’s warm late summer days while avoiding the worst summer heat.
Choose fast-maturing varieties that will produce before the first frost typically arrives in the Show-Me State. Many Missouri gardeners find fall beans are less troubled by pests than spring plantings.
8. Broccoli
Fall-grown broccoli often produces sweeter, more tender heads than spring plantings in Missouri. The gradually cooling temperatures allow plants to develop without the stress that summer heat causes.
Start seeds indoors in July or purchase transplants in August for your Missouri garden. Light frost actually improves broccoli’s flavor, and plants will continue producing side shoots well into fall.
9. Cauliflower
Cauliflower thrives when planted in late summer for a fall harvest in Missouri. The consistent cooling trend helps these sometimes finicky plants develop perfect white heads without discoloration or buttoning.
Start with transplants in August for best results in the Show-Me State. Blanching may not even be necessary with fall plantings, as the cooler temperatures naturally help maintain the creamy white color.
10. Kohlrabi
This odd-looking but delicious vegetable develops sweet, crisp bulbs when grown in fall’s cooling temperatures. Missouri gardeners appreciate how kohlrabi stands up to light frosts, extending the harvest season.
Direct seed in early August or use transplants for a faster start in your Show-Me State garden. Fall-grown kohlrabi rarely becomes woody or tough, a common problem with spring plantings that mature in summer heat.
11. Turnips
Turnips planted in late summer provide both nutritious greens and sweet roots for Missouri gardeners. The cooling fall temperatures prevent the bitterness that can develop in both the tops and roots during hot weather.
Direct seed in August for a fall harvest in the Show-Me State. Many Missouri gardeners find that light frosts actually improve turnip flavor, making them sweeter and more tender than spring-grown crops.
12. Arugula
The peppery kick of arugula mellows beautifully when grown in fall’s cooler temperatures. Missouri gardeners can direct seed this quick-growing green multiple times throughout late summer for continuous harvests.
Plant every two weeks starting in August in your Show-Me State garden. Fall-grown arugula develops a more complex flavor profile without the excessive bitterness that summer heat can cause.
13. Collard Greens
Incredibly cold-tolerant, collards actually taste better after experiencing frost. Missouri gardeners can plant these nutritional powerhouses in August for harvests that often extend into winter.
The Show-Me State’s cooling fall temperatures bring out the sweetness in collards while reducing the bitterness. Plants established before cold weather arrives will often survive Missouri winters with minimal protection.
14. Swiss Chard
With its colorful stems and nutritious leaves, Swiss chard brings both beauty and function to the fall garden. Missouri’s gradually cooling temperatures help develop sweeter, more tender leaves than summer plantings.
Direct seed in August or use transplants in your Show-Me State garden. Fall-planted chard often survives light frosts and can sometimes overwinter in Missouri with minimal protection, providing early spring harvests.
15. Cilantro
Notorious for bolting in summer heat, cilantro thrives when planted in late summer for fall harvests. Missouri’s cooling temperatures allow plants to focus on leaf production rather than flowering.
Direct seed every two weeks starting in August for continuous harvests in your Show-Me State garden. Many Missouri gardeners find fall-grown cilantro has stronger flavor and lasts weeks longer than spring plantings.
16. Mustard Greens
The spicy kick of mustard greens mellows nicely when grown in fall’s cooler temperatures. Missouri gardeners appreciate how quickly these nutritious greens grow from late summer plantings.
Direct seed in August for a fall harvest in the Show-Me State. Light frosts actually improve flavor, and plants often continue producing well into November in many parts of Missouri.
17. Peas
Fall peas often outperform spring plantings in Missouri gardens. The consistent cooling trend is ideal for pod development, unlike spring’s unpredictable temperature swings.
Plant in early August for a Show-Me State fall harvest. Choose faster-maturing varieties to ensure pods form before heavy frost, and provide trellising for climbing types to maximize garden space.
18. Cabbage
Fall cabbage heads develop exceptional sweetness and density compared to spring plantings. Missouri’s gradually cooling temperatures allow plants to form tight, flavorful heads without splitting.
Start with transplants in August for best results in your Show-Me State garden. Fall-grown cabbage stores exceptionally well, providing Missouri gardeners with homegrown goodness well into winter.
19. Rutabagas
These often-overlooked root vegetables develop exceptional sweetness when grown in fall’s cooling temperatures. Missouri gardeners appreciate how rutabagas store well after harvest, providing winter vegetables from the garden.
Direct seed in late July or early August in your Show-Me State garden. The long growing season allows these roots to size up nicely before harvest, typically after the first light frosts sweeten them further.
20. Garlic
Though not harvested until next summer, fall is actually the perfect time to plant garlic in Missouri. Cloves planted in October develop strong root systems before winter dormancy, leading to larger bulbs next year.
The Show-Me State’s cold winters provide the necessary chilling period garlic needs to form properly segmented heads. Plant individual cloves about 2 inches deep and 6 inches apart for best results.