The 15 Best Vegetables for a Bountiful Fall Home Garden in Dallas, Texas
By the time early August rolls around, my garden is fried and ready for a break. I pull out all of my spring plants the first week, add some fresh fertilized soil and start new (with the exception of squashes, melons, any cucumbers I planted in early summer, and the herbs.)
August Garden FRIED!!
As experienced gardeners in DFW know, we have two separate growing seasons due to our extreme climate. Both of these are short, so you don’t have time for procrastination - you must be be bold and enthusiastic to get any yield from your efforts! The mild climate and warm soil of September make it an ideal time to start a variety of delicious and nutritious vegetables.
Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a beginner, here are the 15 best vegetables to plant in a fall homestead garden in Dallas, along with the optimal planting times to ensure a successful harvest.
SPINACH
Plant spinach seeds directly in well-drained soil. Seeds can germinate in as little as 5-10 days.
(Late August to Early October)
2. LETTUCE
Both seeds and seedlings work well. Search for loose leaf varieties like Black Seeded Simpson, Red Sails, Oak Leaf, Green Ice, and Prize Leaf. Try Little Caesar for a Romaine type of lettuce and Buttercrunch for a sweet butter head type lettuce.
(Late August to Early October)
3. KALE
Plant kale seeds directly or transplant seedlings. Young plants can tolerate light frosts. I prefer Red Russian and Dazzling Blue.
(Late August to Mid-September)
4. Broccoli
Transplant broccoli seedlings into your garden, ensuring they have plenty of space to grow.
(Mid-September to Early October)
Cauliflower
Similar to broccoli, transplant cauliflower seedlings and provide consistent moisture.
(Mid-September to Early October)
Carrots
Plant carrot seeds directly in loose, sandy soil for straighter roots.
(Mid-September to Late October)
Radishes
These fast-growing veggies can be planted from seeds for a quick harvest.
(Late August to Early October)
Beets
Directly sow beet seeds in well-prepared soil and thin as needed.
(Late August to Early October)
Peas
Opt for pea seeds and provide support as they climb. They can tolerate light frosts.
(Late September to Early October)
Swiss Chard
Plant chard seeds directly, and you'll have vibrant leaves for salads and cooking.
(Late August to Early September)
Cabbage
Transplant cabbage seedlings and protect them from pests during their growth.
(Late September to Early October)
Brussels Sprouts
Start with seedlings and provide ample space as these plants develop.
(Mid-August to Early September)
Turnips
Directly sow turnip seeds and enjoy both the roots and greens.
(Late September to Mid-October)
Collard Greens
Like kale, plant collard greens from seeds or seedlings for a nutritious harvest.
(Late August to Mid-September)
Garlic
Plant garlic cloves in well-draining soil, and they'll develop over the winter for a summer harvest.
(Mid-October)
Conclusion:
With a little planning and care, a fall home garden in Dallas, Texas can be a source of fresh and healthy vegetables late into the fall. The mild climate and warm soil offer the perfect conditions for growing a wide variety of crops.
As a rule, I always plant Zinnias, Marigolds and Cosmos in my vegetable garden. Marigolds planted around the outside tend to be a great pest solution (attracting the ones you don’t want on your greens, and repelling many others from your garden.) The Zinnias grow quite tall, so I plant them in the middle of my garden for a beautiful splash of color and the more you cut them, the more you grow, so I always have a beautiful arrangement (with lavender) in my kitchen. Cosmos have great accent foliage as well, and will bloom until the first frost.
Whether you're craving crunchy carrots, hearty kale, or zesty radishes, there's something for every palate. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your gardening tools, and get ready to plant these 15 best vegetables for a bountiful fall garden in Dallas, Texas!
Happy gardening!
References:
"Fall Vegetable Gardening in Texas." Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/vegetables/fallgarden.html
"Planting Guide for Texas." The Old Farmer's Almanac. https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/TX/Dallas
"Vegetable Planting Guide for North Texas." North Haven Gardens. https://www.nhg.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/NHG_NorthTexasVegPlantingGuide-2020-1.pdf
"Fall Vegetable Gardening Guide for Texas." Urban Harvest. https://www.urbanharvest.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/uh-fall-veg-planting-chart-2015.pdf
"Growing Vegetables in North Central Texas." Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/library/gardening/growing-vegetables-in-north-central-texas/https://dallasgardenbuzz.com/2013/09/30/its-fall-plant-lettuce-now/
“It’s Fall, Plant Lettuce Now” https://dallasgardenbuzz.com/2013/09/30/its-fall-plant-lettuce-now/
