Fall Growing in

ILLINOIS

THE BEST CROPS FOR a

Successful Fall Harvest

Boost Your Garden's Productivity with These Ideal Fall Crops for Illinois Climate!

Beets

Growing Beets in Illinois:

  • Planting Time: Beets are a cool-season crop, so plant them in early spring or late summer for a fall harvest.
  • Soil Preparation: Use well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0; enrich with compost.
  • Planting Depth and Spacing: Sow seeds 1/2 inch deep, 1-2 inches apart in rows 12-18 inches apart. Thin seedlings to 3-4 inches apart.
  • Watering: Maintain consistent soil moisture; avoid dry spells.
  • Mulching: Apply a thin layer of mulch to conserve moisture and regulate temperature.
  • Fertilizing: Work in balanced fertilizer before planting; side-dress with nitrogen if growth is slow.
  • Sunlight: Beets prefer full sun but can tolerate partial shade.

Carrots

Growing Carrots in Illinois:

  • Soil Preparation: Choose well-draining, rock-free soil; work to 12 inches deep and remove obstacles.
  • Planting Time: Plant in early spring or late summer.
  • Planting Depth and Spacing: Sow seeds 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep, 1-2 inches apart. Thin to 2-3 inches apart.
  • Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, especially during germination.
  • Mulching: Apply a thin layer of mulch to retain moisture and regulate temperature.
  • Fertilizing: Work in balanced fertilizer before planting; avoid excessive nitrogen.
  • Thinning: Thin seedlings to allow proper root development.

Green Beans

Growing Green Beans in Illinois:

  • Varieties: Choose bush or pole beans based on your preferences.
  • Planting Time: Plant when frost risk has passed.
  • Soil Preparation: Well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0; amend with compost.
  • Planting Depth and Spacing: Plant seeds 1-2 inches deep, 2-4 inches apart in rows 18-24 inches apart. Use support for pole beans.
  • Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, especially during flowering and pod development.
  • Mulching: Apply mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
  • Fertilizing: Work in balanced fertilizer before planting; green beans are moderate feeders.

Kohlrabi

Growing Kohlrabi in Illinois:

  • Planting Time: Kohlrabi is a cool-season crop. Start seeds indoors or plant directly in early spring or late summer.
  • Soil Preparation: Use well-draining soil with a pH of around 6.0-7.0; incorporate compost.
  • Planting Depth and Spacing: Sow seeds 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep, 4-6 inches apart in rows 12-18 inches apart.
  • Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, especially during establishment.
  • Mulching: Apply mulch to retain moisture, regulate temperature, and suppress weeds.
  • Fertilizing: Work in balanced fertilizer before planting; side-dress with nitrogen if needed.
  • Sunlight: Kohlrabi prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade.