WAIIITTT! Before you even start, also take a look at these articles with the BEST zone 5 fall vegetables and zone 8 fall vegetables.
The USDA Hardiness Zone 7 is dominated by slightly mild to chilly winters and warm summers. For gardening, this means you’ll need to plant vegetables that can really handle the chill as well as the warmth that is to come afterwards.
In this article, we’ll go over a few fall vegetables that thrive in Zone 7 temperature conditions and why they might be good choices for fall planting.
Let’s jump straight into it!
7 – Mustard Greens
If you enjoy a little kick of peppery spice in your food, planting mustard greens in your garden can be extremely rewarding.
They are frost-tolerant, meaning Zone 7’s low temperature won’t have a negative impact on them. They prefer constantly moist but well-drained soil and planting them around late summer means the leaves will be ready to harvest during fall.
6 – Arugula
The perfect companion to a hearty chunk of meat – arugula. It grows quickly, has a unique peppery flavor, and is rich in Vitamin K.
You can sow arugula seeds directly in the garden somewhere around late summer and fall and harvest young, tender leaves in 3-6 weeks.
Keep in mind that arugula doesn’t tolerate extended periods of frost and chilly temperatures very well. Ensure it’s only exposed to light frost.
5 – Leeks
Leeks are a hardy vegetable that will thrive in the mild Zone 7 cold. Starting seeds indoors and transplanting seedlings around late summer is a good idea here.
Frequent watering is preferable and consider harvesting in mid-fall when the leeks are about 1 inch in diameter.
4 – Bok Choy
Popular in Asian cuisine, bok choy is a hardy, cold-tolerant vegetable that grows best in slightly milder temperatures like that of Zone 7. Sowing bok choy seeds directly in the garden around late summer will help with a quicker fall harvest.
Smaller baby varieties are ready to be harvested in as little as 4-6 weeks and can be added to your soups and salads for a crunchy mustardy flavor.
3 – Celeriac
Yes, celeriac; not celery. Celeriac is the bulb of a celery plant; it’s much different than a typical celery. It has a mildly bitter flavor and a great crunch that can add life to your boring salads.
Unlike some of the other fall vegetables, celeriac doesn’t tolerate extreme colds. At times of frost, you’ll definitely need mulch to protect the developing bulbs. Sow celeriac seeds in late summer for a good fall harvest.
2 – Horseradish
On its own, horseradish is extremely intense and spicy. Mix it with some vinegar and experience a milder taste that doesn’t bring tears to your eyes.
The vegetable thrives in cooler temperatures, so late summer planting in well-drained, fertile soil is ideal. The best time for harvest is usually late fall, preferably after a period of frost.
1 – Beets
Beets are the ultimate superfood for people who engage in physically demanding activities. They contain good vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that even have a positive impact on your cardiovascular health.
Often after a frost, beets develop a sweeter, enhanced flavor, meaning cooler temperatures are beneficial for them. Sowing beet seeds directly in the garden around late summer and harvesting after 7-9 weeks is the ideal way to go about it.
Final Words
Embracing fall planting in Zone 7 may sound troublesome but it’s really an opportunity to obtain a bountiful harvest even when temperatures are considerably low for gardening standards.
Fall vegetables like beets, horseradishes, leeks, and mustard greens will add great vibrancy to your autumn garden at no cost other than that of a little extra care and protection.
