If your garden is somewhere in Montana, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Minnesota, or another northernmost area of the US, the chilly temperatures of these Zone 4 states can limit you in terms of what plants and vegetables you can grow.
In this article, we’ll be going over a list of the top fall vegetables you can plant in USDA Hardiness Zone 4 to have a bountiful harvest.
Let’s jump straight into it, shall we?
7 – Brussels Sprouts
Because Zone 4 offers low temperatures and a shorter growing season, certain Brussels sprout varieties like Jade Cross and Diablo thrive in these conditions.
They are resilient to cold and even develop improved flavor upon exposure to frost.
It’s a good idea to sow Brussels sprout seeds early in spring or 7-8 weeks before the last frost. Make sure to space them out throughout the garden and hydrate them often to keep them from drying up.
6 – Swiss Chard
This ornamental vegetable can survive Zone 4 winters with minimal care or protection and is very resilient to cold.
Start Swiss chard seeds around late summer and ensure seedling transplantation around the end of the season. The plant benefits from full sun, so don’t be afraid to plant it outdoors under direct light.
Just make sure to water it frequently and use mulch around it to help retain moisture.
5 – Turnips
Certain turnip varieties like Purple Top and Tokyo Cross thrive in Zone 4’s low-temperature conditions.
Starting turnip seeds around late summer ensures a good fall harvest because turnips can fully mature in as little as 6 weeks.
They not only offer versatility in cooking but also bring a unique flavor and vibrant color to dishes that’s unlike any other vegetable.
4 – Leeks
Leeks are ideal for Zone 4 planting since they can tolerate cold very well and thrive in winter.
They offer a robust onion-like flavor that may taste somewhat familiar but also very different from any vegetable you’ve ever tasted before.
Start leek seeds 9-10 weeks before the last frost and enjoy a bountiful fall harvest.
3 – Garlic
I’m yet to find someone who doesn’t like the taste of garlic in savory dishes; we all appreciate a little garlic in everything, don’t we?
Garlic is the perfect fall vegetable for Zone 4 planting. Varieties like porcelain, silverskin, and artichoke thrive in the low-temperature conditions of this zone.
As a matter of fact, garlic needs a period of cold in order to have complete development.
You can start garlic using cloves around late fall 4-6 weeks before the ground freezes. This will allow the cloves enough time to establish a decent root system.
2 – Kale
Kale is one of those vegetables that half of the population loves and the other half is disgusted by. Nonetheless, it’s nutrient-dense and contains tons of vitamins as well as antioxidants.
In Zone 4, varieties of kale like Winterbour and Dwarf Blue Curled benefit most when planted 7-8 weeks before the first expected frost.
Once seedlings develop, they can be transplanted into the garden, which gives them the opportunity to develop a mildly sweet flavor due to the frost that will set in.
1 – Spinach
Spinach also thrives in the environmental conditions of Zone 4. Frost helps spinach develop a sweeter flavor and it’s a vegetable that’s well suited for low temperatures.
Start your spinach seeds 6-8 weeks before the first frost and watch it grow fast. The cool weather will boost the growth, flavor, and texture of the leafy green, making it possibly the best fall vegetable to plant in Zone 4.
If you didn’t already know, you can’t really plant any vegetable wherever you want.
USDA Hardiness Zones give you an accurate metric to filter vegetables that can and cannot grow well in a particular area.
Use this metric to your advantage and plant the right vegetables according to your Hardiness Zone for a bountiful harvest!
