Fall gardening is Texas’s best-kept secret. While summer heat shuts down most production, autumn brings perfect growing conditions for dozens of vegetables. Here’s your complete guide to fall planting across every Texas region.
Why Fall Gardening in Texas Is Better Than Spring
Most Texas gardeners focus on spring planting, but experienced growers know the truth: fall is the more productive season for many crops. Here’s why:
- Cooling temperatures are better than warming ones. In spring, you’re racing against rising heat. In fall, temperatures are dropping into the ideal range for most vegetables.
- Less pest pressure. Many insects are winding down their life cycles in fall, meaning fewer aphids, hornworms, and squash vine borers.
- Less disease. Cooler nights and lower humidity reduce fungal diseases that plague spring gardens.
- Better soil moisture. Fall rains arrive in many parts of Texas, reducing irrigation needs.
- Extended harvest. Light frosts actually improve the flavor of many cool-season crops like kale, carrots, and Brussels sprouts.
Texas Fall Planting Calendar by Region
North Texas (Dallas–Fort Worth Area, Zones 7b–8a)
First expected frost: November 15–December 1 Fall planting window: July 15 – October 15
| Crop | Planting Dates | Days to Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes (transplants) | July 1–15 | 70–85 |
| Peppers (transplants) | July 1–15 | 65–80 |
| Bush Beans | Aug 1–Sep 1 | 50–60 |
| Squash/Zucchini | Aug 1–15 | 50–60 |
| Cucumbers | Aug 1–15 | 55–65 |
| Broccoli (transplants) | Aug 15–Sep 15 | 60–80 |
| Cauliflower (transplants) | Aug 15–Sep 15 | 65–85 |
| Cabbage (transplants) | Aug 15–Sep 15 | 65–80 |
| Lettuce | Sep 1–Oct 15 | 30–60 |
| Spinach | Sep 15–Oct 15 | 40–50 |
| Kale | Aug 15–Oct 1 | 55–75 |
| Carrots | Sep 1–Oct 1 | 65–80 |
| Beets | Sep 1–Oct 1 | 55–70 |
| Radishes | Sep 1–Oct 15 | 25–35 |
| Garlic | Oct 1–Nov 1 | Harvest June |
| Onion sets | Oct 15–Nov 15 | Harvest May |
Central Texas (Austin, San Antonio, Waco, Zones 8a–8b)
First expected frost: November 25–December 15 Fall planting window: July 15 – November 1
Central Texas gets a longer fall window than North Texas. You can push cool-season planting well into October and sometimes November.
| Crop | Planting Dates |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes (fall transplants) | July 15–Aug 1 |
| Peppers (fall transplants) | July 15–Aug 1 |
| Bush Beans | Aug 1–Sep 15 |
| Squash | Aug 1–Sep 1 |
| Broccoli | Sep 1–Oct 1 |
| Kale/Collards | Sep 1–Oct 15 |
| Lettuce | Sep 15–Nov 1 |
| Carrots | Sep 15–Oct 15 |
| Spinach | Oct 1–Nov 1 |
| Garlic | Oct 15–Nov 15 |
South Texas (Houston, Corpus Christi, Valley, Zones 9a–9b)
First expected frost: December 15 – rarely (Valley may not freeze) Fall planting window: August 1 – December 1
South Texas has the longest fall gardening window in the state. Many crops planted in fall will produce straight through winter.
| Crop | Planting Dates |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes (fall transplants) | Aug 1–15 |
| Peppers (fall transplants) | Aug 1–15 |
| Beans | Sep 1–Oct 1 |
| Broccoli | Sep 15–Oct 15 |
| Lettuce | Oct 1–Dec 1 |
| Carrots | Oct 1–Jan 1 |
| Kale/Collards | Sep 15–Nov 1 |
| Peas | Oct 15–Nov 15 |
| Spinach | Oct 15–Dec 1 |
| Garlic | Nov 1–Dec 1 |
West Texas (El Paso, Lubbock, Midland, Zones 7a–8a)
First expected frost: October 25–November 15 Fall planting window: July 1 – September 15
West Texas has the shortest fall window due to earlier frost dates and rapid temperature drops.
| Crop | Planting Dates |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes (fall transplants) | July 1–15 |
| Beans | Aug 1–15 |
| Broccoli (transplants) | Aug 1–Sep 1 |
| Lettuce | Aug 15–Sep 15 |
| Kale | Aug 1–Sep 1 |
| Carrots | Aug 15–Sep 15 |
| Spinach | Sep 1–15 |
| Garlic | Oct 1–Nov 1 |
Top 15 Fall Vegetables for Texas
1. Kale
The ultimate Texas fall crop. Kale thrives in cool weather, tolerates light freezes (which make it sweeter), and produces for months. A single plant can yield harvests from October through March.
Best varieties: Lacinato (Dinosaur), Red Russian, Winterbor, Dwarf Blue Curled Planting tip: Start transplants indoors in August, move outdoors in September. Or direct sow in early September.
2. Broccoli
Broccoli needs cool temperatures to form heads properly. Texas fall provides ideal conditions.
Best varieties: Green Magic, Waltham 29, Calabrese, De Cicco Planting tip: Start transplants 6 weeks before your intended outdoor planting date. Broccoli needs 60–80 days of cool weather.
3. Lettuce
Lettuce is the fastest cool-season crop. You can go from seed to salad in 30 days with leaf varieties.
Best varieties: Jericho (heat-tolerant for early fall), Buttercrunch, Red Sails, Romaine Planting tip: Succession plant every 2 weeks from September through November for continuous harvest.
4. Carrots
Fall-planted Texas carrots are sweeter than anything you’ll find in stores. Cold temperatures convert starches to sugars.
Best varieties: Danvers, Nantes, Nelson, Chantenay (for clay soils) Planting tip: Keep soil consistently moist for 14–21 days during germination. Mulch lightly with vermiculite to prevent crusting.
5. Fall Tomatoes
Fall tomatoes in Texas can be exceptional. Plants establish during heat, then produce prolifically as temperatures moderate.
Best varieties: Celebrity, Solar Fire, HeatMaster, Cherry types Planting tip: Provide shade and extra water during the establishment phase (July–August). Once nights cool below 75°F, production takes off.
Check our detailed guide: When to Plant Tomatoes in Texas
6. Spinach
True spinach (not the heat-tolerant substitutes) thrives in Texas fall and winter gardens.
Best varieties: Bloomsdale Long Standing, Space, Tyee, Regiment Planting tip: Wait until soil temperatures drop below 75°F before direct sowing. Spinach won’t germinate well in hot soil.
7. Beets
Double-duty crop — eat the roots and the greens.
Best varieties: Detroit Dark Red, Chioggia, Golden, Bull’s Blood Planting tip: Soak seeds overnight before planting. Thin to 3–4 inches apart when seedlings have 2 true leaves.
8. Bush Beans
A quick fall crop that produces in 50–60 days. Plant in August for harvest before frost.
Best varieties: Contender, Provider, Blue Lake, Roma II (flat) Planting tip: Beans need warm soil to germinate. Early fall planting works because soil is still warm from summer.
9. Garlic
Plant garlic in October–November for harvest the following May–June. It’s the longest-term fall crop.
Best varieties: Softneck types for Texas: Inchelium Red, California Early, Silver Rose Planting tip: Break bulbs into individual cloves. Plant pointed end up, 2 inches deep, 6 inches apart. Mulch heavily.
10. Collard Greens
A Southern staple that’s incredibly productive in Texas fall gardens. More heat-tolerant than most brassicas.
Best varieties: Georgia Southern, Champion, Vates, Morris Heading Planting tip: Harvest lower leaves and let the plant keep growing. A single plant can produce for months.
11. Sugar Snap Peas
Plant: October–November. Peas need cool weather and short days. Best varieties: Sugar Snap, Super Sugar Snap, Oregon Sugar Pod Planting tip: Provide a trellis. Inoculate seeds with rhizobium bacteria for better nitrogen fixation.
12. Radishes
The fastest vegetable you can grow — some varieties mature in 25 days.
Best varieties: Cherry Belle, French Breakfast, Watermelon Radish, Daikon Planting tip: Great for impatient gardeners and kids. Succession plant every 2 weeks.
13. Cauliflower
More finicky than broccoli but worth it. Cauliflower needs consistent cool temperatures.
Best varieties: Snow Crown, Amazing, Cheddar (orange), Graffiti (purple) Planting tip: In North and Central Texas, transplant in September. Protect from early heat with shade cloth if needed.
14. Swiss Chard
Incredibly versatile — tolerates both heat and cold. Often survives Texas winters without protection.
Best varieties: Bright Lights, Fordhook Giant, Rainbow Planting tip: Start in early fall and harvest all the way through spring.
15. Turnips
Both the roots and greens are edible. Turnips grow fast and tolerate light freezes.
Best varieties: Purple Top White Globe, Hakurei (Japanese), Seven Top (for greens only) Planting tip: Direct sow September–October. Harvest roots when 2–3 inches in diameter.
How to Prepare Your Fall Garden
Step 1: Clear the Summer Garden (July–August)
Remove spent summer crops, pull weeds, and clean up debris. Don’t leave diseased plants — bag and discard them.
Step 2: Amend the Soil
After a full summer of growing, your soil needs replenishment:
- Add 2–3 inches of compost and work it into the top 6 inches
- If your soil test shows low nutrients, add an organic balanced fertilizer
- In clay soils, add expanded shale to improve drainage
Step 3: Mulch
Apply 3–4 inches of mulch between plants once they’re established. This keeps soil temperatures moderate during the warm-to-cool transition and retains moisture.
Step 4: Plan Your Layout
Group crops by planting date and water needs:
- July plantings (tomatoes, peppers) need more water initially
- August–September plantings (brassicas, beans) moderate water
- October plantings (garlic, onions, peas) less water as temperatures cool
Step 5: Shade and Water Management
Early fall in Texas is still hot. New transplants and seedlings need:
- Shade cloth (30–50%) for the first 2–3 weeks
- Consistent moisture — water every 2–3 days until established
- Morning watering to reduce disease risk
Frost Protection for Late Fall
As fall turns to winter, protect your investment:
- Frost cloth/row covers add 4–8°F of protection
- Water deeply before a freeze — moist soil holds heat better
- Mulch heavily around root zones
- Harvest tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, beans) before the first hard freeze
- Leave frost-tolerant crops (kale, collards, carrots, spinach) — they taste better after frost
Common Fall Garden Mistakes in Texas
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Starting too late. Many gardeners wait until October to think about fall planting. By then, it’s too late for warm-season fall crops and you’ve missed the best window for many cool-season transplants.
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Using spring planting dates. Fall gardening counts backward from your first frost date, not forward from last frost. The timing logic is reversed.
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Neglecting water. Early fall planting happens during Texas’s hottest months. Seeds and transplants need consistent moisture to establish.
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Skipping soil prep. After a full summer season, soil is depleted. Take time to amend before planting.
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Ignoring succession planting. Don’t plant all your lettuce at once. Stagger plantings every 2 weeks for continuous harvest.
The Fall Garden Payoff
A well-planned Texas fall garden can produce from September through March — that’s six months of fresh vegetables. While your neighbors are buying sad grocery store tomatoes, you’re harvesting crisp kale, sweet carrots, fresh lettuce, and maybe even a last round of tomatoes.
Fall gardening in Texas isn’t optional — it’s half your growing year. Don’t waste it.
For complete, month-by-month planting guides for every Texas region, check out the upcoming Harvest Home Guides: Texas. Every vegetable, every region, every season.