How To Start A Fall Veggie Garden On The West Coast

We know we’re still enjoying every moment of summer while it’s here, and the goal of this guide isn’t to dampen your summer plans or rush ahead to fall. Instead, we want to inspire and inform you so you can enjoy a garden full of thriving vegetables when the cooler months arrive.

On the West Coast, late summer is the perfect time to start planning and planting your fall vegetable garden. Most fall crops should be well established and producing by Halloween, giving them the best chance to survive and thrive through the winter months. With the right timing and a little preparation now, you can enjoy fresh homegrown harvests well into winter, and even through to Valentine’s Day.

Whether you’re an experienced gardener or a beginner, transitioning your summer garden to a winter vegetable garden can be simple with the right crops and planting tips.

Best Vegetables to Plant for Fall and Winter

Starting a fall vegetable garden means choosing crops that thrive in cooler temperatures. Here are some of the best vegetables to plant for a productive garden throughout fall and winter:

Leafy Greens

Cool-season favorites like spinach, lettuce, arugula, and mustard greens love the mild fall weather and can be harvested well into winter. For continuous growth, consider succession planting every few weeks.

Root Vegetables

Fall is the ideal time to sow carrots, radishes, beets, and turnips. These vegetables grow sweeter as the temperatures drop, making them perfect for hearty winter meals! They are also excellent for storage, providing fresh produce throughout the colder months.

Brassicas

Varieties like broccoli, cabbage, kale, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts are frost-hardy and thrive in cooler temperatures. These nutrient-rich veggies will continue to grow through early winter, with the cold even improving their flavour. If you missed the window for starting from seed, transplants are an excellent option.

Alliums

Consider planting onions, garlic, and shallots in the fall. These bulbs will spend the winter developing strong roots and be ready for harvest in the spring. Fall-planted garlic, in particular, produces larger, more flavourful bulbs. Click here for more information about fall bulbs and how to plant bulbs. Click here to learn more about edible plants, and scroll down the page to download a copy of our Garlic Growing Guide. At Hunters Garden Centre in Surrey and Vancouver we have a large selection of locally grown, organic garlic available now!

The Best Fall Vegetables to Grow:

  • Arugula
  • Broccoli
  • Carrot
  • Cabbage
  • Kale
  • Lettuce
  • Radishes
  • Turnips
  • Spinach
  • Swiss Chard

Click here for more detailed information about each plant listed above, thanks to the West Coast Seeds’ Fall & Winter Gardening Guide

Herbs and Winter Garden Tips

Don’t forget about hardy perennial herbs like sage, thyme, and rosemary, which continue to grow during the fall and winter months! Planting perennial herbs now ensures a steady supply for your kitchen as we head into the colder season.

For extra protection from frost, use mulch or row covers to shield your fall crops from early cold snaps. Row covers can help extend your growing season, keeping vegetables safe from light frost or potential snowfall with unpredictable weather during the colder months.

By planning your garden now and selecting the right vegetables, you’ll enjoy a bountiful winter harvest. For more tips on winter gardening, download our Winter Gardening Guide.

Companion Planting for Fall Veggie Gardens

Incorporating companion planting into your fall garden can help boost yields, deter pests, and promote healthy growth. Here are some companion planting tips for fall:

  • Carrots and onions are great companions, as onions help repel carrot root flies.
  • Lettuce benefits from being planted alongside radishes and carrots. Radishes act as a “trap crop” by luring pests away from delicate greens.
  • Kale and Swiss chard grow well with herbs like sage and thyme, which deter pests such as cabbage moths.
  • For bulbs like garlic, planting near spinach and carrots can help improve their growth and flavor.

Did you know… Mixing flowering bulbs with vegetable plants can attract beneficial pollinators and enrich the garden ecosystem!

Fall In Love With Your Fall Garden

By embracing the change of seasons and planting the right vegetables, herbs, and bulbs, you can keep your garden productive and vibrant throughout fall and winter. Start planting now to enjoy a bountiful harvest and a beautiful garden that thrives even in the colder months. Visit Hunters Garden Centre in Surrey and Vancouver for all your fall veggie garden supplies and expert advice to make the most of fall!

August 11, 2026