Pennsylvania gardeners, hear me out—there’s still time to plant a fresh wave of fall veggies, and it’s easier than you’d think! I’ve rolled up my sleeves and tossed seed packets around this time of year before—always a rewarding surprise when greens start to pop in cooler weather.
There are 18 crops ready to sprint toward harvest once things cool off—think crisp lettuces, hearty root veggies, and even some fast-growing brassicas.
Starting now sets you up for a garden full of flavor just in time for sweater season. Let’s seize this window and get those fall beds full of bounty!
1. Spinach
Ready for harvest in just 40 days, spinach loves Pennsylvania’s cool fall weather. The crisp autumn temperatures actually improve its flavor, making it sweeter than summer-grown varieties.
Plant seeds directly in your Pennsylvania garden now for continuous harvests through early winter. With some simple row covers, you might even enjoy fresh spinach until the first heavy snow!
2. Kale
Frost-kissed kale develops a surprisingly sweet flavor that summer-grown plants never achieve. Many Pennsylvania gardeners consider it the ultimate cold-weather vegetable for its incredible hardiness.
Direct sow seeds now or transplant seedlings for a continuous harvest throughout fall. Pennsylvania’s moderate autumn climate provides perfect growing conditions, and kale often survives well into winter with minimal protection.
3. Radishes
From seed to table in just 25 days, radishes are perfect for impatient Pennsylvania gardeners! Their quick growth makes them ideal for fall planting, providing almost instant garden gratification.
Sow seeds directly in your Pennsylvania garden beds every two weeks for continuous harvests. The cooler temperatures prevent the spicy bite that summer heat can cause, resulting in crisp, mild radishes perfect for salads.
4. Lettuce
Cool-season lettuce grows quickly in Pennsylvania’s fall conditions, often ready for harvest in just 30 days. The mild temperatures prevent the bitterness that summer heat can cause in these delicate greens.
Plant several varieties for a colorful Pennsylvania salad garden. Loose-leaf types allow for continuous harvesting – just snip the outer leaves and let the centers continue growing for weeks of fresh salads.
5. Carrots
Fall-planted carrots develop exceptional sweetness as they convert starches to sugars in response to cooler temperatures. Pennsylvania’s moderate autumn allows for perfect root development without summer’s heat stress.
Sow seeds directly in well-loosened soil free of rocks. In many parts of Pennsylvania, carrots can be left in the ground and harvested throughout early winter, using a thick mulch layer as natural refrigeration.
6. Arugula
Spicy arugula matures incredibly fast – often ready for harvest just 21 days after planting. The peppery leaves develop milder flavors in Pennsylvania’s cool fall temperatures compared to summer-grown crops.
Sow seeds directly in your Pennsylvania garden beds for a continuous supply. Arugula self-seeds readily, potentially giving you volunteer plants next spring without any additional work on your part.
7. Beets
Fast-growing beets offer a two-for-one harvest – nutritious roots and delicious greens from the same plant. Pennsylvania’s fall growing conditions produce exceptionally sweet beets without the woodiness that can develop in summer heat.
Sow seeds directly in your Pennsylvania garden now for harvest in about 50-60 days. The cooler temperatures enhance their natural sweetness, making fall-grown beets perfect for roasting or pickling.
8. Garlic
Fall is actually the ideal time to plant garlic in Pennsylvania gardens. Planted now, cloves establish roots before winter, then burst into growth first thing in spring for larger, more flavorful bulbs.
Plant individual cloves pointed-end up, about 2 inches deep in rich Pennsylvania soil. A thick layer of mulch protects them through winter, and you’ll harvest full heads next summer with minimal spring maintenance.
9. Mustard Greens
Spicy mustard greens mature quickly in Pennsylvania’s fall garden, often ready for harvest in just 30-40 days. Their distinctive peppery flavor actually becomes milder and more complex in cooler temperatures.
Direct sow seeds in your Pennsylvania garden for a continuous harvest throughout fall. The attractive leaves add visual interest to your garden while providing nutritious greens for salads, stir-fries, and soups.
10. Turnips
Versatile turnips provide both flavorful roots and nutritious greens from one plant. Pennsylvania’s cool fall temperatures prevent the bitterness that can develop in summer-grown turnips.
Direct sow seeds in your Pennsylvania garden now for harvest in about 40-60 days. Some varieties like ‘Hakurei’ produce sweet, apple-like roots that can be eaten raw – perfect for fall salads and snacking.
11. Collard Greens
Incredibly cold-hardy collards actually improve in flavor after light frosts convert their starches to sugars. Many Pennsylvania gardeners consider them the most reliable fall green for extended harvests.
Plant seedlings or direct sow in your Pennsylvania garden now. With minimal protection, collards often provide harvests throughout fall and into winter, making them a staple for gardeners looking to extend their growing season.
12. Swiss Chard
Colorful Swiss chard brings both beauty and nutrition to Pennsylvania fall gardens. The vibrant stems in red, yellow, and pink create a stunning display while providing continuous harvests of nutritious greens.
Plant seeds or transplants in your Pennsylvania garden now. By harvesting just the outer leaves, plants continue producing well into fall, often surviving light frosts with minimal protection for extended harvests.
13. Kohlrabi
Quirky kohlrabi forms alien-like bulbs above ground with a crisp texture and mild cabbage-like flavor. Pennsylvania’s cool fall temperatures create perfect conditions for these unusual vegetables to develop without becoming woody.
Direct sow seeds in your Pennsylvania garden for harvest in about 45-60 days. The light, apple-like crunch makes fall-grown kohlrabi perfect for slaws, stir-fries, or eating raw with a sprinkle of salt.
14. Cilantro
Heat-sensitive cilantro actually thrives in Pennsylvania’s cooler fall temperatures, growing lush and full without quickly bolting to seed. The cooler conditions allow plants to focus on leaf production rather than flowering.
Direct sow seeds in your Pennsylvania garden every few weeks for continuous harvests. Fall-grown cilantro often develops more complex flavors than summer crops, perfect for adding to soups and fall dishes.
15. Broccoli
Fall-grown broccoli often produces sweeter, more tender heads than spring crops in Pennsylvania gardens. The gradually cooling temperatures allow for slow, steady growth without the heat stress that causes bitterness.
Transplant seedlings into your Pennsylvania garden now for harvest in about 60-80 days. After harvesting the main head, plants will often produce numerous side shoots, extending your harvest period well into the cooler months.
16. Peas
Sweet fall peas offer Pennsylvania gardeners a second chance at this spring favorite. The cool, crisp days of autumn provide perfect growing conditions similar to spring but without the transition to summer heat.
Plant seeds directly in your Pennsylvania garden now for harvest in about 60 days. Choose snow or snap varieties that can be eaten pod and all for the quickest harvest before winter temperatures arrive.
17. Green Onions
Quick-growing green onions provide nearly instant gratification in Pennsylvania fall gardens. Ready for harvest in just 30 days, they’re perfect for gardeners wanting fast results before winter.
Direct sow seeds or plant sets in your Pennsylvania garden beds now. The cooler temperatures actually enhance their flavor, and many varieties survive light frosts, providing fresh harvests well into the cooler months.
18. Asian Greens
Fast-growing Asian greens like bok choy and tatsoi thrive in Pennsylvania’s fall conditions. These versatile vegetables mature quickly, often ready for harvest in just 30-45 days from seeding.
Direct sow in your Pennsylvania garden beds now for continuous harvests. The cooler temperatures prevent bolting and bitter flavors, resulting in tender, sweet leaves perfect for stir-fries and soups as temperatures drop.