What vegetables to plant in the fall for a winter harvest in zone 6b

You might be one of those who believe gardening ends with summer’s final tomatoes and cucumbers. Especially in Zone 6b, it’s easy to assume that once fall arrives, the growing season is over. Fortunately, that’s not the case.

In fact, fall gardening is not only possible in Zone 6b—it’s productive, flavorful, and often more enjoyable than battling the peak heat and pests of summer.

Cooler weather reduces pest pressure, autumn rains return, and many vegetables actually taste sweeter after a light frost. With thoughtful planning, you can harvest crisp greens, sweet root vegetables, and cold-hardy herbs well into winter—long after most gardeners have stored their tools.

Fall gardening in Zone 6b isn’t about fighting nature. It’s about working with the rhythms of the season to extend your harvest far past the traditional end of summer.

What This Guide Will Help You Do

Written for gardeners who want more from their growing season—more food, more flavor, more resilience—this guide will help you:

• Understand fall conditions in Zone 6b

• Select vegetables that thrive in short days and chilly nights

• Know when to plant each crop to maximize your late-season harvest

• Prepare your garden beds after summer crops finish

• Protect your plants from early frosts and freezing temperatures

Whether you’re planting in raised beds, containers, or directly in the ground, you’ll find practical advice you can use now.

Understanding Fall Gardening in Zone 6b

Zone 6b covers much of the eastern and midwestern U.S., including parts of:

• Pennsylvania

• Ohio

• Kentucky

• Missouri

• Virginia

• New Jersey

Typical fall conditions:

• First frost: Around October 15

• Winter lows: 0 to -5°F

• Mild fall temperatures: Ideal for cool-season crops like greens and roots

After summer crops fade, Zone 6b offers 6–8 weeks of usable growing time, especially for quick-growing or cold-hardy vegetables. That’s more than enough time for a fast harvest—or for slower crops to establish before winter dormancy sets in.

Timing is critical: Plant early enough for crops to mature before daylight and soil warmth diminish. The earlier they get established in fall, the better they’ll hold through cold snaps.

What to Plant in Fall for Winter Harvests

No greenhouse required—just smart crop selection. The secret is planting cold-hardy vegetables that can withstand frost, freezing nights, and even light snow.

Start with leafy greens, which are some of the most satisfying crops to grow and harvest through the winter in Zone 6b.

Cold-Tolerant Leafy Greens

Spinach

Spinach loves the cold. Not only can it survive frost, it actually becomes sweeter afterward. Plant in early fall—it grows quickly at first, then slows as temps drop. Harvest leaves one by one well into winter. With a little row cover or mulch, it’ll last even longer.

Kale

Kale is almost indestructible. It grows through temperatures in the low 20s and can bounce back after snow. Frost actually improves its flavor. Try curly kale, dinosaur kale (Lacinato), or Red Russian for the best fall results.

Swiss Chard

While not quite as frost-hardy as kale, chard performs well with light protection. It produces colorful, mild-tasting leaves into December, great for sautéing, soups, and stews.

Arugula

This fast-growing, peppery green is a fall favorite. Plant it early, and enjoy in salads or sandwiches. It’s frost-tolerant, but benefits from a row cover when colder weather sets in.

Mâche (Corn Salad) & Claytonia (Miner’s Lettuce)

These lesser-known cold-weather champions deserve more attention. Mâche grows slowly and handles extreme cold. Claytonia survives freezing temps and often re-sprouts after snow. Perfect for fresh winter salads.

Fall Vegetables to Grow in Zone 6b (Continued)

Bulbs and Alliums: Plant in Fall, Harvest in Late Spring

Garlic

• Planting time: Mid-October

• Harvest: The following summer

• Tip: Choose hardneck varieties suitable for colder climates

Shallots and Multiplier Onions

• Plant alongside garlic in October

• Harvest: Early summer

• Benefit: Cold-hardy and store well after harvest

Scallions (Green Onions)

• Plant late summer to early fall

• Harvest: Throughout fall and even into winter with row cover

• Remarkably cold-tolerant and fast to regrow

Frost-Tolerant Brassicas (Cruciferous Vegetables)

Cabbage

• Start indoors or plant mid-August

• Harvest before first deep freeze

• Select early-maturing or mini-head varieties for fall success

Broccoli

• Plant: 60 to 75 days before expected frost

• Harvest: Before hard freezes; protect with row cover if needed

• Note: Side shoots can continue to produce after main head is cut

Collard Greens

• Tougher than kale

• Will survive into the low 20s and continue producing

• Improve flavor after frost exposure

Kohlrabi

• Fast-maturing (45 to 60 days)

• Plant early September for sweet, crisp bulbs before deep winter sets in

Planning for Fall Planting Using Frost Dates

Zone 6b’s average first frost date is around October 15. To ensure crops reach maturity in time, count backward from that date using the seed packet’s “days to maturity” figure. Add 10 to 14 days as a buffer for cooler temperatures and reduced daylight in fall.

Backwards Planning Examples:

• Spinach (40 days) → Plant by early September

• Carrots (70 days) → Plant by early August

• Radishes (25 to 30 days) → Plant as late as late September

Preparing Your Garden for a Fall Planting in Zone 6b

Change by one week or two according to your microclimate. Milder latitudes within Zone 6b can often grow crops into mid-October.

How to Prepare Garden Beds for Fall Planting

Fall gardening requires more than just clearing summer crops. Your soil should be healthy, fertile, and loose to support strong late-season growth.

Step 1: Clean the Beds

• Pull spent summer plants.

• Remove weeds and top-rooting.

• Shake off soil from pulled plants and compost the remaining material.

Step 2: Refresh the Soil

• Add 1½ to 2 inches of compost across the bed.

• Toss it lightly with a fork or hoe—don’t turn deeply.

• For heavy feeders like cabbage or broccoli, add organic fertilizer.

Step 3: Loosen the Soil

Root crops need space to grow deep and evenly.

• Aerate the top 6 to 8 inches using a garden fork.

• Break apart clumps—fine-textured soil helps seeds germinate.

Moisture Control and Mulching

Even though fall soil retains moisture longer than in summer, it still requires attention.

• Once seedlings emerge, apply a light mulch (e.g., straw or shredded leaves).

• Keep watering consistent until plants establish.

• As temperatures cool, reduce watering—overly wet soil in cold weather leads to rot.

Helpful Tools for Extending Your Fall Harvest

Fall in Zone 6b can vary widely year to year. A little protection can stretch your growing season by weeks—or even months.

Row Covers

These lightweight fabric sheets can lie directly over crops or be draped over hoops.

• Trap warmth during the day

• Block frost and wind at night

• Protect greens from late-season pests

Start with floating row covers in early fall. Switch to heavier frost cloths as winter sets in.

Low Tunnels

Constructed using wire or PVC hoops and fabric or plastic covers, these act as mini-greenhouses.

• Cost-effective and DIY-friendly

• Protect from frost and snow

• Great for spinach, kale, carrots, and lettuce

Leave tunnel ends open on sunny days for airflow; close them at night.

Cold Frames

These are small, glass-topped boxes (often made from old windows) that trap heat while allowing light.

• Ideal for small garden beds or tall containers

• Great for overwintering greens, mache, herbs, or carrots

Keeping Your Fall Garden Thriving

Start With Strong Plants

• Start broccoli, cabbage, and kale indoors in mid-July, then transplant.

• Fast growers like radish, arugula, and spinach can be direct sown.

• Always thin seedlings to avoid overcrowding and promote healthy growth.

Use Succession Planting

Stagger your plantings every 1–2 weeks for a longer, more continuous harvest.

• Sow radishes every 10 days from late August to late September.

• Plant small batches of kale two weeks apart.

This approach prevents crop gluts and ensures a steady supply of food.

Monitor the Weather Closely

• Watch for frost warnings in October.

• Protect crops before expected frost.

• Adjust watering based on rainfall predictions.

Fall and Winter Harvesting Tips

Some vegetables continue to grow slowly after frost. Others stop growing but remain fresh in the ground.

Frost improves flavor in many vegetables:

• Carrots

• Kale

• Brussels sprouts

• Parsnips

These crops develop more sugars and less bitterness after light freezing.

Cold Weather Harvesting Techniques

• Carrots: Mulch with straw or leaves for easy winter access

• Chard: Snap off leaves at the base

• Arugula/Spinach: Use scissors to trim outer leaves; let the center regrow

• Garlic: Leave in ground over winter and dig next summer when tops brown

Steering Clear of Pitfalls

Wait Not Too Long to Plant

Waiting until after the first frost to plant is too late for most crops. The months of August and early September are the ideal window to begin fall planting. Always count back from your first frost date and leave a margin for safe growth.

And Do Remember to Cover Your Crops

In Zone 6b, temperatures drop quickly. Tender greens can be lost to a single hard freeze. Prepare early with row covers and hoops—have them ready before you actually need them.

Do Not Overwater When It’s Cold

As daylight shortens and temperatures fall, plant growth slows. Too much water during this time invites fungal problems and root rot. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering again.

Final Thoughts: Planting in the Fall Produces Winter Plenty

There is nothing quite like picking a bowl of fresh greens in December, or pulling sweet carrots from your garden. Zone 6b offers this gift with just a bit of planning—year after year.

You don’t need a large plot or a fancy greenhouse. What matters is having the right crops, planted at the right time, with a little care and cover.

While others see winter as the end of the growing season, you’ll see it as a beginning. And your table—and your health—will be all the better for it.