Starting Seeds in Summer for a Fall Harvest
Before having a garden of my own, I believed a few things to be unequivocally true:
- Plants like sun. So, more sun = happier plants.
- In order to have a kitchen garden, you need a lot of space.
- You plant in the spring and harvest a few months later—and that’s it.
Turns out, I'm 0/3 😅
Like most things in gardening, the “rules” aren’t completely black and white. And one of the best surprises to me has been discovering how much you can grow after the rush of spring has passed.
There’s this sweet little second season I never used to hear about. It’s slower, a little more relaxed—and in a lot of ways, more forgiving. Some of my favourite crops actually prefer to be started in mid to late summer, when the soil is warm and the cooler days of fall are just around the corner.
So if time got away from you this spring, or you weren’t sure when to start—this is your sign. There’s still time to grow something great!
Here are a few of my favourite crops to start from mid-July to early August for a fall harvest:
Leafy Greens
Kale, arugula, spinach, lettuce. They thrive in the shorter, cooler days of late summer and early fall. If you've tried growing greens in the heat, you’ve probably seen them bolt (aka go to seed) more quickly than you'd hoped. But in fall? They stay tender and sweet. Bonus: Some can even handle a light frost.
Root Veggies
Root crops like beets, carrots, radishes & turnips also grow well in cooler weather—it actually makes them sweeter! Radishes are super quick (some are ready in under 30 days), and beets and carrots will happily chug along into the fall if planted now.
Peas
Peas aren’t just for spring! Look for a quick-growing variety (around 60 days or less) to harvest pods before frost hits.
Brassicas (If You’re Feeling Bold)
Broccoli, cauliflower & cabbage will do best if started indoors and transplanted out once the heat dies down a little. They need more time and attention than some other crops, but they’re worth it if you’re up for it!
One of the easiest ways to figure out your summer planting window is to check the "Days to Maturity" for the crop/variety you are growing and then to calculate backwards from your estimated first frost date. In Toronto, our average first frost lands around mid to late October. But don't worry, I've also included a cheat sheet below for easy reading :)
If you're using one of our kits—you’re already set. We've included both warm and cool-season crops and additional information on timing can be found via the Growing Guides.
| Crop Type | Planting Window (Toronto) | Days to Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kale | Mid-July to Early August | 50–70 days | Frost-tolerant |
| Spinach | Late July to Early August | 30–45 days | Avoid early bolting in cool temps |
| Lettuce | Mid-July to Mid-August | 30–55 days | Great for succession planting |
| Arugula | Mid-July to Early August | 20–40 days | Fast-growing; tender in cool temps |
| Radishes | Late July to Early Sept | 25–35 days | Very quick |
| Beets | Mid-July to Early August | 55–70 days | Can stay in ground longer into fall |
| Carrots | Mid-July | 60–80 days | Sweetens after light frost |
| Turnips | Mid-July to Early August | 40–60 days | Harvest small for tender roots |
| Peas | Mid-July | ~60 days | Choose quick-growing variety |
| Broccoli | Start indoors in July | 70–100 days | Transplant outdoors in August |
| Cauliflower | Start indoors in July | 70–100 days | Sensitive; needs steady moisture |
| Cabbage | Start indoors in July | 80–100 days | Hardy; needs space and time |
This second season is quieter, slower—and honestly one of my favourites. I hope you enjoy it too!
Happy Growing :)
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