Late summer through early fall is a prime planting window for fast-growing, cool-loving vegetables in the Asheville area. Many crops can be sown directly into garden beds and harvested before frost, or protected with row covers to extend your growing season into early winter. Your knowledgeable friends at B.B. Barns are happy to help you with this quick and easy guide!
Direct-Sow Veggies for Fall in Asheville, NC
Sow August through mid-September
These need more time to mature:
- Carrots – harvest in 60 to 75 days; flavor improves with light frost
- Beets – baby beets in 45 to 50 days; full-size in 60
- Turnips – both greens and roots are ready in about 45 to 60 days
- Daikon radish – 60+ days; great for fall fermentation or roasting
Sow early September through early October
These are fast growers and leafy greens:
- Spinach – very cold-hardy; sow by early October for late fall or overwintering
- Arugula – ready to harvest in 3 to 4 weeks; sow every 2 weeks for a steady crop
- Lettuce (looseleaf, butterhead) – harvest baby leaves in 30 days
- Mustard Greens – bold flavor and fast growth
- Tatsoi – tender and frost-tolerant; can overwinter under cover
- Mizuna – mild, frilly green for salads or stir-fries
- Miner’s Lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata) – shade-tolerant and excellent for winter harvests under cover
- Radishes (salad types) – ready in as little as 25 days
Planting and Care Tips for the Season
- Timing matters: Know your first frost (late October) and count backwards from maturity dates
- Moisture is key: Keep seedbeds evenly moist during germination — water lightly every day in dry weather
- Shade in hot weeks: For early sowing (late August), consider using light shade cloth or planting behind taller crops
- Thinning: Thin seedlings early to avoid crowding and stunted growth
Extend the Season
Use row cover or low tunnels to protect crops from frost and add two to four weeks of harvest time. Especially useful for spinach, lettuce, tatsoi, and root crops.
Pro Tip
Sow carrots and beets in blocks or wide rows, then cover lightly with straw or burlap to hold in moisture. Remove the cover once seedlings emerge.
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