Mid-to-late summer is the time to plant fall-harvested vegetables in your vegetable garden. Many spring-harvested vegetables can also get a second chance in fall, and some are even better when matured in the cooler temperatures later in the year.

Here are a few things to consider:
1. Choose faster maturing varieties, as growing days are limited.
2. Add 2-3 weeks to maturing time on seed packets to allow for shorter, cooler days.
3. Plant seeds ¼ to ½ inch deeper because of warmer soil temperatures.

When planting for autumn, it's a good idea to practice crop rotation. If you can, plant something different than what you had in the spot for spring and summer. This is especially important for crops in the Cabbage family (broccoli, kale, radishes), carrots, and onions. Some of the pests that attack these vegetables could still be around and planting the same thing in the same spot makes it all that much easier for them to feast.

Your summer vegetables have most likely used up essential nutrients in the soil, so adding a natural vegetable fertilizer will give your new plants a much-needed boost. For containers, always use potting soil mixed with fertilizer, added according to package directions. Don't forget to amend your soil with a high-quality compost, Now is the time to mulch your soil with several inches of compost to keep summer's heat in the soil.

Growing vegetables takes some space, but not necessarily acres. A vegetable garden can be in the ground or in a planting bed, but it doesn't have to be. Many vegetables can be grown in containers. For example, Olle Rasied Garden Bed is Perfect Garden Bed. The galvanized steel raised garden bed is food grade safe and provides ample space for your fruits, vegetables, herbs, plants, and flowers to grow.

Olle Metal Raised Garden Beds

Olle Metal Garden Beds offer you a variety of shapes and configurations to fit any space in your yard.You do not need a lot of space to build the Olle Metal Garden Bed; they are designed for space efficiency and provide a food grade safe environment for growing all your vegetables, fruits, and herbs along with seasonal flowers.

Pumpkins

Not many vegetables say 'fall' like pumpkins do. They come in a huge range of colors and sizes. Pumpkins need room to roam, as their vines can reach up to 30 feet. They can be grown on trellises to gain more square feet of growing space.

Winter Squash

Easy-to-store winter squashes hold their vitamin value when stored at cool temperatures for months. These are best started indoors as seed and put out mid-summer. Like pumpkins, they can take up a lot of real estate, so try growing them on trellises.

Beets

When starting beets in the summer, they may need some shade cover to get started, but the cooler soil temperatures in fall when the beets are maturing will produce sweeter beets. They can handle some light frost and will grow all the way up until the first hard freeze. Beets store well in the refrigerator or can be pickled or canned.

Carrots

Like beets, carrots that mature in the cooler fall soil will be sweeter, with orange types being the sweetest. Carrots will store up to 3 months in the refrigerator, so a good harvest will last you all winter. Don't rush pulling them, as they are best when allowed to fully mature.

Brussels Sprouts

Another vegetable that is best when grown in fall, Brussels sprouts will commonly be the last veggie standing as fall turns to winter. Harvest from the bottom up, as they will continue to grow from the top. Plant marigolds and nasturtiums nearby to help repel cabbage moths and aphids.

Broccoli

Broccoli seedlings that are started in late summer aren't subjected to random freezes that spring-starts might be. Once they are more mature, they can handle a light frost, but should be harvested before the first hard freeze. They take a little longer to mature, so it's best to start seeds a little earlier and transplant mid-summer.

Potatoes

Grow fast-maturing varieties from certified seed potatoes. Grocery store potatoes are usually treated with growth inhibitors and may carry diseases when planted. Avoid planting in beds where other nightshades have grown in the last 2 years, such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplant or other potatoes. Also avoid planting next to cucumbers, pumpkin and squash.

Cauliflower

When grown in the fall, cauliflower produces tight, tender heads and does extremely well. Start your fall crop a little earlier, more mid-summer, as they do take a little longer to mature. To get a jump on them, seeds can be started indoors sooner and seedlings transplanted mid-to-late summer.

Arugula

When arugula is grown in the spring, temperatures may get too warm causing it to go to flower and seed too soon. However, when grown in the fall, the cooler temperatures allow the leaves to mature and be full of flavor.

Bush Beans

Somewhat easier to grow than pole beans, these varieties don't require support. They'll grow quickly in the slightly cooler weather and many will produce in 45 to 60 days. Beans return nitrogen to the soil and can be planted in areas where the soil is lacking. When the beans are done, simply till them in for more nitrogen-boosting benefits.

Cucumbers

Most of us grow cucumbers as a summer crop, but if your supply is running low, a second batch can be started in mid-to-late summer. Try growing them on a raised trellis to make them easier to pick. Plant dill alongside for a perfect pickling combination.

Parsnips

These root veggies should be planted directly into the garden. They can be slow to germinate, but can be started in a damp paper towel. Dig them out before the ground freezes and they'll keep in the refrigerator through the winter.

Radishes

Along with carrots and beets, radishes grown in fall have better flavor than those grown in spring. They grow quickly, so you may even have time to succession plant 2 or 3 rounds, planting every 2 weeks. If their flavor is a bit harsh for you, try roasting them for a whole new spin.

Spinach

You'll have better germination rates mid-to-late summer with the warmer soil at planting time. The cooler temperatures at the time the leaves are maturing produces tender, tastier leaves. Spinach is the most cold-tolerant salad green and can tolerate light frost. As with radishes, plant a batch every 2 weeks and you'll have spinach growing up until winter.

Zucchini And Yellow Squash

Since these squashes grow rapidly, maturing at around 60 days in the fall, a batch planted at mid-to-late summer will still have plenty of time. Harvest at 8 to 12 inches as they have a tendency to get overgrown and lose their fresh tender flavor.