By Blake Jackson
In Missouri, fall isn’t the end of the growing season it’s the start of a new one. Cooler temperatures bring fresh opportunities for growers to extend harvests and prepare for spring planting.
Lincoln University’s Innovative Small Farmers Outreach Program (ISFOP), more people are discovering that autumn planting is about growth and potential, not endings.
“Greens and roots grow best this time of year because they can handle a light frost, and the cold even makes them taste sweeter,” says Mary Keeter, ISFOP farm outreach worker.
Cold-tolerant crops like beets, turnips, and carrots can be planted in late summer through early fall. Leafy greens such as kale, collards, spinach, lettuce, mustard greens, Swiss chard, and arugula also thrive in the cooler months.
Garlic and strawberries should go into the ground before it freezes, allowing them to establish roots for an early spring start. In contrast, warm-weather crops like tomatoes and peppers won’t survive the first frost.
Keeter advises checking a regional planting calendar for the best sowing times, as schedules can vary based on location and whether seeds or transplants are used.
Using low tunnels or row covers-simple structures that trap warmth growers can extend their harvest well into late fall or even winter. This method not only provides weeks of additional fresh produce but can also boost farm income when local markets have fewer offerings.
Keeter recently demonstrated this approach by helping community member Kristine Howze build a low tunnel for kale.
“So often in Missouri, you get that one cold night and then it’s warm again,” Keeter explains. “Covering those plants, even for a night, can save them and that can mean a farmer still has something to deliver the next week.”
With protection, crops like kale, collards, spinach, carrots, and beets can overwinter and resume growth early in spring. “She’s going to be able to harvest that kale about six weeks earlier,” Keeter says.
For those not planting, fall is still ideal for preparing garden beds. Removing diseased plants, adding compost or mulch, and planting cover crops helps the soil recover. “You don’t want to be out there in the spring trying to clean up beds you want to be planting. Fall is the time to get your garden ready so it can work for you all winter,” Keeter says.
Lincoln University’s ISFOP supports small farmers across Missouri through regional outreach, offering training, technical help, and local resources. For more information, contact program director Dr. Mark Lucas at LucasM@LincolnU.edu.
Photo Credit: pexels-greta-hoffman
Categories: Missouri, Crops, Fruits and Vegetables