Top 10 Plants to Start in Early Fall
Top 10 Plants to Start in Early Fall
Top 10 Plants to Start in Early Fall
Planting in early fall can be a great way to extend the growing season and take advantage of the cooler temperatures and increased rainfall. When choosing plants for early fall planting, it's essential to consider factors such as the plant's frost tolerance, growth habits, DLI requirements and temperature requirements. DLI or Daily Light Integral refers to the number of photons received by a plant that provide photosynthetic activation. If you need help calculating your plant's DLI, please check out Active Grow’s DLI Calculator. Below each plant type is the recommended Active Grow LED Grow Light to start these fall crops indoors. With the right care and attention, planting in early fall can yield a bountiful harvest.
Plant #1
Kale
Kale is a hardy leafy green that thrives in cooler temperatures. It can be planted in early fall and harvested throughout the winter.
DLI Requirements (mol/m²/d)
Seedling: 6-10
Vegetative to Maturity: 12-20
Plant #2
Spinach
Spinach is a cool-season crop that can be planted in early fall for a late fall or early winter harvest.
DLI Requirements (mol/m²/d)
Seedling: 6-10
Vegetative to Maturity: 10-18
Plant #3
Carrots
Carrots planted in early fall can be harvested in late fall or left in the ground and harvested in early spring.
DLI Requirements (mol/m²/d)
Seedling: 4-8
Vegetative to Maturity: 12-20
Plant #4
Beets
Beets thrive in cooler temperatures and can be planted in early fall for a late fall harvest.
DLI Requirements (mol/m²/d)
Seedling: 5-10
Vegetative to Maturity: 12-20
Plant #5
Broccoli
Broccoli is a cool-season crop that can be planted in early fall for a late fall or early winter harvest.
DLI Requirements (mol/m²/d)
Seedling: 6-12
Vegetative to Maturity: 14-22
Plant #6
Radishes
Radishes are fast-growing and can be planted in early fall for a quick harvest before winter.
DLI Requirements (mol/m²/d)
Seedling: 4-8
Vegetative to Maturity: 10-18
Plant #7
Peas
Peas are a cool-season crop that can be planted in early fall for a late fall harvest.
DLI Requirements (mol/m²/d)
Seedling: 5-10
Vegetative to Maturity: 12-20
Plant #8
Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is a leafy green that can be planted in early fall and harvested throughout the winter.
DLI Requirements (mol/m²/d)
Seedling: 6-10
Vegetative to Maturity: 12-20
Plant #9
Lettuce
Lettuce is a cool-season crop that can be planted in early fall for a continuous harvest.
DLI Requirements (mol/m²/d)
Seedling: 6-10
Vegetative to Maturity: 10-18
Plant #10
Garlic
Garlic is typically planted in the fall and harvested the following summer. It requires a period of cold to develop bulbs.
DLI Requirements (mol/m²/d)
Seedling: Not applicable (bulbs)
Vegetative to Maturity: 10-20
Note: The DLI requirements provided are general estimates and can vary based on specific varieties and growing conditions. Always consult specific seed packets or resources for more accurate DLI requirements.