Recently I published two articles discussing which vegetables would make the best picks in zones 5 and 7, so today let me continue this series by showing some fantastic zone 8 growable options!
As incredible as it may sound, there’s still time to grow an assortment of delicious vegetables in Zone 8. All it takes to start growing delightful fall vegetables is getting your hands dirty and browsing our list.
Save time, start seeing which vegetables there still have time to be grown now!
Zone 8: Fall Vegetables You Can Plant This Season
Here are some of the fall vegetables you can plant:
1. Fennel:
I love Fennel soup… so much that it was my pick to begin this list of Fall crops to plant! Specifically: Fennel is one of my absolute favourites so here it goes : P
Fennel is best known for its aromatic bulbs that add both flavor and smell to soups, although you can eat the leaves on their own or as garnish for larger dishes.
Fennel seeds should be planted directly into the ground during late summer for harvest when bulbs reach an average tennis ball in size. Fennel grows best in rich, fertile soil that provides ample nutrient-rich soil so don’t hesitate to add compost as necessary to optimize growth and harvest time.
2. Garlic
Garlic is also one of the fall vegetables. It seems as if everybody loves growing garlic. Every time I post about growing it on social media, people immediately begin sharing and conversing. Garlic can be grown easily using cloves provided they’re given enough room in the soil and watered regularly. Since Zone 8 fall can get quite frosty, use mulch as protection from frost for your garlic crops.
Harvest the crop when its lower leaves have begun to turn brown while its upper leaves still look vibrantly green and vibrant.
3. Winter Squash
Butternut and acorn squash varieties make an excellent fall harvest crop in Zone 8. They offer mild sweetness with subtle nutty tones reminiscent of sweet potatoes or pumpkin. Select your winter squash variety of choice, start seeds indoors, and plant seedlings in the garden by early summer. Water frequently, since squashes require constant moisture. Once their outer skin turns full color and becomes hard and colorful, harvest is imminent.
4. Sorrel
Sorrel is one of the fall vegetables. It is an incredible source of fiber and essential vitamins, providing your diet with essential minerals while adding a delicious tart acidity that enhances stews and smoothies alike. Sow sorrel seeds into the ground in early fall and provide them with consistent moisture for maximum success. Sorrel thrives even in Zone 8 cool conditions thanks to being frost-tolerant.
5. Mizuna
Mizuna is an intense Japanese mustard green that boasts intense peppery notes. Frost-tolerant and ideal for Zone 8 planting conditions, Mizuna thrives under any condition. Mizuna seeds should be planted in late summer for harvest of its young and succulent leaves throughout fall.
6. Horseradish
Horseradishes boast an intense spicy-pungent flavor. As they thrive best in cooler environments, Zone 8’s temperature conditions offer ideal growing conditions to support horseradish growth. Vegetables tend to be hardy plants that can survive frost. Growing horseradish from root cuttings can be done easily by planting them directly in the ground around late summer and harvesting from mid to late fall.
7. Celery Root
Celery root, also referred to as celeriac, is the bulbous part of a celery plant with an intense, sharp flavor unlike anything similar in celery itself.
Starting celeriac seeds indoors is generally best and transplanting seedlings into outdoor conditions once they’ve grown some. Aiming for late summer planting is ideal as its flavor can benefit from being exposed to cooler transition periods.
Harvest when they reach 3 to 3-5 inches in diameter. Gardeners in certain USDA Hardiness Zones might view gardening as being challenging or restricting, so their harvest should occur as early as possible in their season.
By looking at it positively, fall planting in Zone 8 represents an opportunity to produce high-quality fall vegetables that would benefit from longer growing seasons and milder winter conditions.