Last Dates for Late Summer Vegetable planting

16 years ago

I'm trying to figure out dates I can plan some vegetables in the late summer in Minnesota for a fall harvest. The seed packets are a little vague. I'm looking at Lacinato kale, Early Wonder beets, Purple Top White Globe turnips, Di Cicco broccoli, Pak Choi, Rapini (broccoli rabe), watercress, and Winter Marvel lettuce. I can count back from the September 15 first frost date, but am wondering if the beets and turnips could be planted even later, since they are root crops. I understand you can plant garlic between October and November 1 - is there anything else that can be planted during that time? I'm tired of paying Whole Foods prices for organic vegetables that are trucked in from Central and South America.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

garystpaul
16 years ago
All depends on when we get our first hard frosts, of course, but with the exception of the watercress and lettuce I wouldn't think you have enough time to start and grow out the others on your list from seed. Still, I'd be curious to hear what other northern gardeners have to say about it. I've recently put in second sowings of lettuce and cilantro, which are doing OK despite lettuce not liking high germination temps. Gary
mandolls
16 years ago
If anyone else has more experience with late Summer / Fall plantings, please chime in.

This is my first time growing vegetables and it hadn't occurred to me that a second planting would be possible in this climate.

Also while I tried snow peas this year (store bought, planted May 31st) It got so hot so fast that I got 2-3 peas from each before they stopped. Maybe it was my soil (mostly composted manure). Will crops that need the cool weather usually do well in our zone 4 climate? or is our Spring to short?
Related Professionals
Fort Smith Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Middletown Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Pine Bluff Landscape Contractors · Raleigh Landscape Contractors · Portsmouth Landscape Contractors · Pittsfield Landscape Contractors · Plymouth Landscape Contractors · Elmira Landscape Contractors · Sacramento Landscape Contractors · Kissimmee Home Additions · Hays Home Additions · Vicksburg Home Additions · Beckley Home Additions · Kingman Home Additions · Jackson Home Additions
greenthumbelina7
16 years ago
You'll have better luck with peas if you plant them in early early spring, while it's still freezing even as long as the soil has a good consistency. I planted a second crop as well which produced a few beans at only 6 inches high or so and then withered and died. They definately hate the heat. I would think about planting a fall producing crop soon, they take at least 70 days to mature and we generally get a freeze in the end of September. You'll still be able to harvest into October as long as the temps stay above 20. Good luck. I think we are all brave souls for gardening in Minnesota.
Tina

Here is a chart from the U of M website that shows fall crop info.
http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/M1227.html
Beemer
16 years ago
Wow -- my snow peas are still producing!
I almost pulled them out 2 weeks ago, but now they have new blooms and pods.

I live near Detroit Lakes.

I'm thinking of planting my turnips and lettuce again this week. However, the items I thought that would be finished by now are still producing!

I use raised beds and plant intensively - and this year everything grew much larger than anticipated. Must be the new compost in the soil.
mandolls
16 years ago
Thanks for the tips, the extension page is especially helpful - I think I'll run out today and pick up some more seed.