Best Fall Container Veggies: Top 8 Vegetables to Plant in Containers for a Successful Fall Garden
Fall container gardening offers a fantastic opportunity to extend the growing season and enjoy fresh produce well into the cooler months. In this article, we highlight some of the best vegetables for fall container gardening, focusing on those with short maturity times and good tolerance to cooler temperatures.
One of the fastest-growing options is the humble radish. These root vegetables mature very quickly, often in less than a month, making them ideal for container growing in cooler fall weather. Smaller varieties like 'Cherry Belle' and 'French Breakfast' are well suited for shallow containers (6-8 inches deep). Daikon radishes need deeper containers but are also an option for fall[1].
Lettuce is another classic container vegetable with shallow roots that thrive in cooler temperatures, perfect for fall. It grows fast (4-6 weeks to harvest outer leaves) and tolerates light shade, which helps prevent bolting in fluctuating fall temperatures[4].
Asian greens, such as arugula and pak choi, are cold-tolerant, fast-growing, and do well in containers with about 6-8 inches of soil[3].
Kale is very hardy and cold-tolerant, kale actually gets sweeter after frost. It takes longer to mature (around 50-60 days for full leaves) but can survive well into winter if the ground doesn’t freeze solid. Varieties like Red Russian or Lacinato are especially good for fall container gardens, but kale requires larger containers (around 7 gallons) because it grows tall and needs stability[2][3].
Spinach thrives in cool weather and can tolerate light frost. It matures in 45-50 days, with baby leaves ready as early as 30 days, making it a good quick option for fall[2].
While bush beans and summer squash are mentioned as alternatives for short growing seasons, these prefer warmer conditions and might not be as cold tolerant as leafy greens and root vegetables.
In conclusion, focusing on radishes, lettuce, Asian greens, kale, and spinach gives you fast-maturing crops with good tolerance to cooler temperatures[1][2][3][4]. Make sure to use containers of appropriate depth and maintain consistent soil moisture for best results.
Bok choy is a different choice from usual fall greens, maturing in about two months. For more information on fall container gardening and specific product recommendations, check out the selection from third-party vendors on Shop.
Mary Ellen Ellis, the author of this article, has been gardening for over 20 years and specializes in flowers, native plants, and herbs.
**Summary Table:**
| Vegetable | Maturity Time | Cold Tolerance | Container Depth/Size | Notes | |--------------|------------------------|------------------------|------------------------|-------------------------------------| | Radishes | <30 days | Cool tolerant | 6-8 inches (shallow) | Fastest-growing, adaptable | | Lettuce | 4-6 weeks (outer leaves) | Cold tolerant | 6-8 inches | Partial shade helps prevent bolting | | Asian Greens | ~30-40 days | Cold tolerant | 6-8 inches | Compact, fast-growing | | Kale | 50-60 days | Very cold tolerant | Large container (7 gal) | Gets sweeter after frost | | Spinach | 30-50 days | Cold tolerant | 6-8 inches | Can handle light frost |
[1] Park Seed offers cool-season veggies that thrive in a large, deep container and are resistant to fusarium wilt and mildew. [2] Kale tastes better when grown in the cold and is a good choice for container gardening. [3] Container-grown bok choy is more tender and delicate of flavor than cabbages. [4] Lettuce is a great choice for fall container gardening due to its cooler temperatures and quick growth.
Lettuce and radishes are excellent choices for fall container gardening as they are both suitable for cooler temperatures and have shallow roots, making them ideal for small containers. Asian greens like arugula and pak choi are also great options due to their cold tolerance and fast growth rate.