What To Plant In A Garden In Late Summer

Cover lettuce when freezing temperatures are expected.

Climates with their first frost in late fall or early winter can take advantage of a second garden planting. Sow seeds in late summer to benefit from a fall and winter harvest. Not all plants are suited for a late-summer garden, but there are many cold-season crops and cold-tolerant varieties available for a diverse harvest. Flower gardens don't need to end with the summer heat either. Late summer is a time to prepare for fall blooms and spring bulbs.

Cold-tolerant Crops

Late-summer gardens are far from limited, with over a dozen different plants that grow well in the cooler weather. Leafy greens -- such as collards, chard and spinach -- are better suited to grow in cooler weather. Many root vegetables are cold-tolerant as well, for instance, carrots, turnips, radishes and potatoes. Other hardy choices include broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts. Even though cucumbers, leaf lettuce, rutabaga and beets can also be grown, they are not quite as hardy.

Flowers and Herbs for Late Summer

Perennial flowers and herbs often benefit from planting in late summer. Once the heat of summer has subsided into cooler temperatures, fall months provide enough sun for good growth before winter. Spring bulbs, such as crocus, daffodils and tulips, are planted in the fall to establish roots before spring.

Many varieties of flowers provide extra color in the fall. Plentifall pansies, a hardy cultivar, can bloom from fall until spring. Confederate rose, Iceland poppies, bluestars and Spanish bluebells brighten up your late summer landscape.

Location

Not all areas are suited for growing in late summer. U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 1 and 2 have a short growing season with frosts before fall. Locations in zones 3 through 7 get their first frost in September or October. Even gardeners in warmer habitats should choose their location carefully. Raised beds are ideal for keeping soil drained. Be wary of plots that are exposed to wind and frost, and pick areas with lots of sun. Cold frames and water-filled insulators can be used for protection when temperatures plummet.

Timing

Accompanying each hardiness zone is the average date for the first frost. To estimate the best time to seed your winter garden, find out how many days it takes for your plant to reach maturity for harvest. If you will be starting your seeds indoors before transplanting them in the garden, add on this extra time. Include an extra two weeks, because plants grow a little bit slower in the late summer. The final number tells you how far in advance to start your seeds in order to harvest before the first frost.

Tags: first frost, late summer, benefit from, cooler weather, from fall