As the weather starts to cool down, it is the perfect time to start thinking about planting a fall vegetable garden in Zone 8. The hardiness zone 8 includes areas in the South and West Coast where the frost date is expected to occur between November to December. Fall gardening is all about enjoying your fresh produce that can withstand the colder weather, so don’t waste any more time and start planning your fall vegetable garden.
In Zone 8, the best time to start planting your fall vegetable garden is in late summer, typically around late August to early September. This timing gives your crops ample time to mature before the first frost hits. However, hardier vegetables that can withstand cooler temperatures, such as kale and brussels sprouts, can be planted a bit later in the fall season.
How to Prepare Your Soil
The success of your fall vegetable garden largely depends on the quality of your soil. Here’s how to prepare it:
- Clean Up: Remove any old or decaying plants from your garden bed, as they may harbor diseases.
- Turn the Soil: Use a garden fork or tiller to turn and loosen the soil. This improves aeration and makes it easier for roots to penetrate the soil.
- Add Compost: Incorporate organic compost into your soil to improve its fertility. Compost adds essential nutrients that your fall vegetables will need to grow.
- Check Soil pH: The ideal soil pH for most vegetables is between 6.0 and 7.0. If your soil pH is outside this range, consider adding lime to raise the pH or sulfur to lower it.
Remember, preparation is key to a successful fall vegetable garden in Zone 8. So take your time to prepare your garden bed and plant at the right time, and you’ll be rewarded with a bountiful harvest.
Time to Plant
Once your soil has been adequately prepared, it’s time to start planting. Choose a cool day or plant in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid transplant shock. Make sure to follow the recommended spacing guidelines for each type of vegetable to ensure that your plants have enough room to grow.
Here are some of my favorite vegetables that thrive in Zone 8 fall gardens:
Broccoli
Planting broccoli in Zone 8 should begin in late summer, ideally around the end of August. The goal is to ensure that your broccoli has a chance to mature before the first frost hits, but also enjoys the cooler weather of fall that it thrives in. Dig holes that are 12-24 inches apart in rows that are 36 inches apart. The holes should be deep and wide enough to accommodate the entire root ball of the plant. Place the broccoli plant in the hole and cover it with soil, making sure the plant is at the same level in the ground as it was in the pot. Water the plant thoroughly after planting
Once planted, broccoli requires regular care to ensure it grows well. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Mulch around the base of the plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Broccoli plants also benefit from regular feedings with a balanced vegetable fertilizer.
You can start to harvest broccoli once the heads reach desired size but before yellow flowers start to show. Cut the stalk of the main head at a slant, approximately 5 to 8 inches below the head. This will stimulate the growth of side shoots that will produce smaller heads and extend your harvest. Remember to harvest these smaller heads regularly to encourage continued production.
Cabbage
In Zone 8, plant your cabbage in late summer, usually around mid to late August. This timing allows the cabbage enough time to mature before the colder weather hits. When planting, dig holes that are 12-24 inches apart in rows that are 24-36 inches apart. The holes should be deep enough to cover the roots of the cabbage plant. Place the plant in the hole, and cover it with soil, ensuring that the base of the stem is level with the ground. Thoroughly water your newly planted cabbage.
Caring for cabbage requires a consistent watering schedule to keep the soil evenly moist. Be careful to avoid waterlogging as this can lead to root rot. Mulching around the cabbage plants helps to maintain soil moisture and suppress weed growth. A balanced vegetable fertilizer can be applied every 3-4 weeks to provide the necessary nutrients for growth.
Harvesting cabbage occurs when the heads are firm and have reached the desired size. Usually, this is around 70-100 days after planting, but it may vary depending on the specific variety grown. To harvest, simply cut the cabbage head off at the base of the plant. If conditions allow, you can leave the plant in the ground to possibly produce a second, smaller crop of heads.
Carrots
For a fall harvest in Zone 8, you should start planting your carrots in late summer, typically around late August to early September. This gives the carrots enough time to mature before the colder winter weather arrives. To plant, sow the carrot seeds directly into the soil, spacing them about 2-3 inches apart in rows that are 12-18 inches apart. Cover the seeds lightly with soil and water gently.
Caring for carrots includes regular watering to keep the soil moist but not saturated. Mulching around the carrot plants can help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. While carrots generally don’t require much feeding, a light application of a balanced vegetable fertilizer can be beneficial if your soil is poor.
When it comes to harvesting, carrots can be picked any time after they have reached the desired size. However, most varieties are ready for harvest about 60-80 days after planting. You can simply pull them out of the ground when they are ready. Remember to water the soil before harvesting to make it easier to pull the carrots out without damaging them. If left in the ground, carrots can tolerate frost and can be harvested throughout the winter.
Peas
Planting peas for a fall harvest in Zone 8 typically begins in late summer to early fall, usually around late August to early September. This allows enough time for the peas to mature before the colder winter weather arrives. For planting, sow the pea seeds directly into the soil, spacing them about 2-3 inches apart in rows that are 18-24 inches apart. Cover the seeds with about 1 inch of soil and water thoroughly.
When it comes to caring for peas, regular watering is essential. The soil should be kept consistently moist but not waterlogged. Mulching around the pea plants can help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. Peas are light feeders, but they can benefit from an application of a balanced vegetable fertilizer if your soil lacks key nutrients.
Harvesting peas varies depending on the variety you are growing. Generally, peas are ready to harvest about 60-70 days after planting. The pods should be plump and feel full when lightly squeezed. If left too long on the vine, peas can become starchy and lose their sweet flavor. Harvest by gently pulling or cutting the pods from the vine. Make sure not to pull too hard to avoid damaging the plant. Continue to harvest peas regularly to encourage more pod production.
Lettuce
For a fall harvest, planting lettuce should ideally start in early to mid-August in Zone 8. This timing allows the lettuce enough time to fully mature before the cold winter temperatures set in. To plant, sow the lettuce seeds directly into the soil, spacing them about 1 inch apart in rows that are 12 to 18 inches apart. Lightly cover the seeds with soil and water gently yet thoroughly.
Caring for lettuce entails regular watering to maintain consistent soil moisture. Overwatering, however, should be avoided as it can lead to root rot. Mulching around the lettuce plants is beneficial for retaining soil moisture and preventing weed growth. Lettuce can also benefit from a light application of a balanced vegetable fertilizer, particularly if your soil is lacking in nutrients.
Harvesting lettuce can begin when the leaves have reached a usable size. This is typically about 30-45 days after planting for leaf varieties, but can be as long as 60-80 days for head varieties. To harvest leaf lettuce, simply cut the leaves you need at the base of the plant, taking care not to damage the crown. This will allow the plant to continue producing more leaves. For head lettuce, cut the head off at the base of the plant when it is firm to the touch. Remember to check your lettuce patch regularly, as lettuce left to grow too long can become bitter.
Kale
For a successful fall harvest, you should start planting your kale in late summer, typically around late July to early August. This gives the kale enough time to mature before the winter. To plant, sow the kale seeds directly into the soil, spacing them about 18-24 inches apart in rows that are 24-36 inches apart. Cover the seeds lightly with soil and water thoroughly.
As for caring, consistent watering is essential to keep the soil moist but not saturated. Mulching can help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. Kale enjoys nutrient-rich soil, so a balanced vegetable fertilizer can be applied every 4 weeks.
Harvesting of kale leaves can begin when they are about the size of your hand. This typically happens 55-75 days after planting. The lower, outer leaves are harvested first, leaving the terminal bud to continue producing more leaves.
Swiss Chard
For a fall harvest, plant Swiss chard in mid to late summer, around July to early August. This allows the plant to mature fully before colder temperatures arrive. Plant the seeds directly in the soil, spacing them about 12 inches apart in rows that are 18 inches apart. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil and water well.
Caring for Swiss chard involves regular watering to keep the soil consistently moist, and mulching to conserve soil moisture and discourage weeds. A balanced vegetable fertilizer can be applied monthly to provide necessary nutrients.
Swiss chard can be harvested once the leaves are large enough to eat, generally 50-60 days after planting. To harvest, simply cut off the outer leaves at the base of the plant, which encourages new growth.
Radishes
For a successful fall harvest, radishes should be planted in late summer to early fall, usually from late August to early September. This ensures the radishes mature before the winter frost sets in. Plant radish seeds directly into the soil, spacing them approximately 1 to 2 inches apart in rows that are 12 to 18 inches apart. Cover the seeds with about half an inch of soil and water well.
To care for radishes, ensure regular watering to maintain consistent soil moisture. However, avoid overwatering as it can lead to splitting radishes. Mulching can be beneficial for retaining soil moisture and suppressing weed growth. Radishes usually thrive in rich, well-draining soil and typically don’t require additional fertilizer if your soil is adequately nutrient-rich.
When it comes to harvesting, radishes are usually ready about 22-50 days after planting, depending on the variety. You can tell radishes are ready for harvest when their round tops peek out from the soil and reach approximately one inch in diameter. To harvest, simply pull the radishes out of the ground. It’s best to harvest radishes promptly as leaving them too long in the soil can result in an overly pungent flavor and woody texture.
Beets
For a successful fall harvest, beets should be planted in late summer to early fall, generally from late July to mid-August. This timing allows the beets to mature fully before the winter frost arrives. Beet seeds should be sown directly into the soil about 1 to 2 inches apart in rows that are 12 to 18 inches apart. Cover the seeds with about half an inch of soil and water thoroughly.
Caring for beets involves regular watering to maintain consistent soil moisture, especially during dry spells. Root development can be hindered if the soil becomes too dry. Mulching can help retain soil moisture and suppress weed growth. Beets can benefit from a light application of a balanced vegetable fertilizer, particularly if your soil is lacking in nutrients.
Harvesting of beets can typically begin 45-65 days after planting, depending on the variety and desired size. Smaller beets tend to be sweeter and more tender. To harvest, simply pull the beets from the ground. Remember that the beet greens are also edible and can be harvested throughout the season.
Brussel Sprouts
For a successful fall harvest, you should start planting your Brussel sprouts in early to mid-summer, around June to July. This allows the sprouts enough time to mature before the first frost of winter. Place the seeds directly into the soil, spacing them about 18-24 inches apart in rows that are 30-36 inches apart. Cover the seeds lightly with soil and water thoroughly.
When it comes to caring for Brussel sprouts, regular and consistent watering is key to maintain soil moisture. However, avoid oversaturating as it can lead to root rot. Mulching can assist in retaining soil moisture and suppressing weeds. Brussel sprouts also enjoy nutrient-rich soil, hence a balanced vegetable fertilizer can be beneficially applied every 4 weeks to 6 weeks.
The harvesting of Brussel sprouts usually begins when the lower sprouts reach the size of a large marble, typically around 80-100 days after planting. Starting from the bottom of the stalk, sprouts are harvested by twisting them until they break away from the stalk. It’s essential to note that Brussel sprouts taste best after they’ve experienced a couple of frosts, as the cold conditions enhance their natural sweetness.
Bush Beans
For a successful fall harvest, bush beans should be planted in late summer, typically around early to mid-August. This timing ensures that the beans mature before the winter frost sets in. Bush bean seeds should be sown directly into the soil, spacing them about 2 to 4 inches apart in rows that are 18 to 24 inches apart. Cover the seeds with approximately one inch of soil and water thoroughly.
Caring for bush beans involves regular watering to maintain consistent soil moisture. However, avoid overwatering as it can lead to disease and poor pod formation. Mulching can be beneficial for retaining soil moisture and suppressing weed growth. While bush beans generally don’t require additional fertilizer due to their ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, a light application of a balanced vegetable fertilizer can be beneficial if your soil is deficient in other nutrients.
Harvesting of bush beans typically begins 50-55 days after planting, depending on the variety. To ensure tender and tasty beans, it’s best to harvest when the pods are medium-sized and filled out, but before the beans inside begin to bulge. To harvest, simply hold the top of the plant with one hand and gently pull the beans off with the other. It’s essential to harvest bush beans regularly as leaving mature pods on the plant can inhibit further production.
Onions
For a successful fall harvest, onions should be planted in late summer to early fall, ideally from late August to September. This timing allows the onions to establish a strong root system before the winter frost arrives. Onion sets, which are small onion bulbs, are often used for fall planting. Plant the onion sets directly into the soil, about 1 to 2 inches deep and 4 to 6 inches apart in rows that are 12 to 18 inches apart. After planting, water thoroughly to help establish the roots.
Caring for onions involves regular watering to maintain consistent soil moisture, which is crucial for bulb development. However, it’s important to avoid overwatering as it can lead to bulb rot. Mulching with organic matter can help retain soil moisture, suppress weed growth, and add nutrients to the soil. Onions usually benefit from a balanced vegetable fertilizer, especially when growth starts in the spring.
Harvest time for onions usually arrives when the tops have yellowed and fallen over, typically around 100-120 days after planting. To harvest, gently loosen the soil around the bulb with a garden fork and then pull the onions up from the ground. Let them dry in a well-ventilated, shaded area for a couple of days before trimming the roots and tops. Properly cured and stored onions can last several months, providing a steady supply for your kitchen.
Happy Gardening!
There’s nothing better than harvesting your fresh produce during the colder months and enjoying a home-cooked meal. Gardening is a rewarding hobby that also benefits your health and wallet. Planting a fall vegetable garden in Zone 8 is easy with the right guidance – for instance, knowing which vegetables to plant and when to plant them, is essential. We hope our blog post has provided useful information to get you started on your fall vegetable garden journey and that your garden yield is bountiful.
Please be sure to check out my Gardening Blog Post page for more growing tips on Vegetable and Fruit Gardening, Indoor Houseplants of all kinds, Herbs, Cactus, Succulents, African Violets, Hanging plants, Container Gardening and even Bird, Bee, Butterfly and Hummingbird Gardens!