It’s a great time to plant a few fall veggies here in Ohio. The heat’s starting to fade, and some crops actually grow better in cooler temps.
If you’re looking for something simple to plant now, there are a few solid options that don’t need much fuss. I’ve had good luck with these in my own garden, even when starting a bit later than planned.
Let’s take a look at what you can still grow this season.
1. Spinach
Fast-growing and cold-tolerant, spinach thrives in Ohio’s fall weather. Plant it now and enjoy fresh leaves until the first hard freeze.
Many Ohio gardeners get multiple harvests by picking outer leaves while letting the center continue growing. The flavor actually improves after light frost, becoming sweeter and more tender.
2. Kale
Super hardy and nutritious, kale can withstand Ohio’s early frosts with ease. The leaves develop a sweeter taste after exposure to cold temperatures.
Ohio gardeners love that kale keeps producing well into winter with minimal protection. For best results, harvest the outer leaves regularly, leaving the center to continue growing through the season.
3. Lettuce
Quick to mature, lettuce is perfect for Ohio’s cooling fall temperatures. Choose loose-leaf varieties for fastest results and continuous harvesting throughout autumn.
Many Ohio gardeners extend their lettuce season by using simple row covers when temperatures dip. Plant seeds every two weeks for a steady supply of crisp, fresh greens until winter.
4. Radishes
Ready in just 3-4 weeks, radishes are the sprinters of the Ohio fall garden. Their crisp texture and peppery flavor make them perfect for salads and quick pickling.
The Buckeye State’s cooling temperatures prevent radishes from becoming woody or overly spicy. Plant a small patch every week for continuous harvests until the ground freezes.
5. Carrots
Fall-planted carrots develop exceptional sweetness in Ohio’s cooling soil. The cold temperatures convert starches to sugars, creating nature’s candy in your garden.
Many experienced Ohio gardeners leave some carrots in the ground under a thick mulch layer. This allows for harvesting sweet, crisp carrots even after light snow, a true winter treat.
6. Beets
Both beautiful and delicious, beets thrive in Ohio’s autumn conditions. Their earthy sweetness intensifies as temperatures drop, making fall-grown beets especially flavorful.
The Buckeye State’s gardeners appreciate that both roots and greens are edible. Plant now for a double harvest before winter – tender leaves for salads and sweet roots for roasting.
7. Arugula
Spicy and fast-growing, arugula is ready to harvest in just 30 days in Ohio’s fall garden. The cooler temperatures actually improve its flavor, making it less bitter than summer-grown crops.
Many Ohio gardeners enjoy multiple cuttings from a single planting. Simply snip the outer leaves about an inch above the soil and watch new growth appear for continued harvests.
8. Garlic
Plant garlic in fall for bigger, better bulbs next summer in Ohio gardens. The cloves establish roots before winter, then explode with growth when spring arrives.
Most Ohio gardeners plant hardneck varieties that are winter-hardy and flavorful. Simply break apart bulbs, plant individual cloves, and mulch well before the first freeze for a head start on next year’s harvest.
9. Turnips
Quick-maturing and versatile, turnips offer both nutritious roots and tasty greens from one plant. Ohio’s fall temperatures help develop their flavor without the bitterness that can occur in summer heat.
Many gardeners throughout Ohio appreciate turnips’ frost tolerance. The roots actually become sweeter after light freezes, and you can harvest them well into early winter.
10. Collard Greens
Incredibly cold-hardy, collards actually improve in flavor after frost touches their leaves. Ohio gardeners prize them for their long harvest season extending into winter.
The Buckeye State’s cooling temperatures transform collards’ flavor, reducing bitterness and bringing out sweetness. Harvest the lower leaves first, allowing the plant to continue producing from the center throughout fall.
11. Swiss Chard
Colorful and resilient, Swiss chard brightens Ohio fall gardens with its vibrant stems. This nutritional powerhouse keeps producing until temperatures drop below 25°F.
Many Ohio gardeners appreciate chard’s cut-and-come-again nature. Harvest outer leaves regularly while the center continues growing, providing months of fresh greens well into the cooler season.
12. Mustard Greens
Spicy and fast-growing, mustard greens add a peppery kick to fall meals. Ohio’s cooling temperatures mellow their flavor while maintaining their distinctive zing.
The Buckeye State’s gardeners often get multiple harvests from one planting. Young leaves are perfect for salads, while mature leaves can be sautéed or added to soups for a nutritional boost.
13. Broccoli
Fall-planted broccoli develops sweeter, more tender heads than summer crops in Ohio gardens. The cooling temperatures reduce bitterness and slow bolting, allowing perfect head development.
Many Ohio gardeners enjoy both the main head and the side shoots that develop afterward. With proper timing, you can harvest well into November before serious freezes arrive.
14. Cabbage
Cold-loving cabbage thrives in Ohio’s fall conditions, producing crisp, sweet heads. The cooler temperatures actually improve flavor and texture compared to summer-grown cabbage.
Many Buckeye State gardeners choose quick-maturing varieties for fall planting. With proper timing, you’ll harvest beautiful heads before winter, perfect for slaws, sauerkraut, or comforting soups.
15. Peas
Fall peas offer sweet harvests as temperatures cool in Ohio gardens. Plant now for a crop that enjoys the moderate temperatures of autumn without summer’s heat stress.
Many Ohio gardeners find fall peas actually produce better than spring crops. The cooling temperatures and decreasing pest pressure create ideal conditions for tender, sweet pods until frost arrives.
16. Cauliflower
Fall-grown cauliflower develops picture-perfect white heads in Ohio’s cooling temperatures. The mild conditions prevent the discoloration and strong flavors that summer heat can cause.
Many gardeners across the Buckeye State find fall cauliflower easier to grow than spring crops. For best results, start plants in late summer for harvest before hard freezes arrive.
17. Kohlrabi
Unusual but easy to grow, kohlrabi forms alien-looking bulbs above ground in Ohio’s fall garden. Their crisp, sweet flavor resembles a cross between cabbage and broccoli stems.
The Buckeye State’s cooling temperatures prevent kohlrabi from becoming woody. Plant now for tender, baseball-sized bulbs that store well and add crunch to fall salads and stir-fries.