Believe it or not, during the height of summer—when your garden is overflowing with warm season vegetables, like

squash and tomatoes—it’s time to start thinking about fall. That’s because many cool season vegetables must be planted in mid to late summer to yield a fall harvest. And then there are some, like garlic, that you’ll want to plant in the fall for next year’s summer harvest.

To make sure they’re ready before the first frost in your area, look at the “days to maturity” on the plant tag or seed package, then count backwards from your area’s estimated first frost date. If you’re not sure when that is, check with your local university cooperative extension service (find yours here).

It’s also important to keep your fall garden watered. In years when rainfall is sparse, you’ll need to make sure everything gets a good long drink if you haven’t had rain for a week or so. For some vegetables, such as greens, you’ll need to keep the soil moist (not sopping wet) while you’re waiting for the seeds to germinate. Not to mention, some cool season veggies don’t germinate well in hot soil, so try to plant those where taller vegetables can shade them—or start them in pots in a shady spot in your garden. Many fall garden vegetables grow well from seed, though a few do better in fall in northern gardens if you plant seedlings.

Without further ado, here are the best vegetables to plant—yes, starting in summer—for a fall garden:

Source: countryliving.com