Beets and other autumn vegetables are best planted in July and August.

Fall is right around the corner, and July and August are the time to plant cool-season veggies for fall harvest despite the typical Kansas summer heat. Cabbage, beets, greens, and other cool-season vegetables are suitable crops and many are even sweeter when grown in the fall.

Vegetables planted for fall harvest can be directly seeded into the garden in spaces where other crops such as peas and potatoes have left open space, or they can be grown in containers. For all crops, plant seeds a little deeper than called for on the package to protect from the summer sun and preserve moisture. Or, plant at the recommended depth but add a thin layer of compost, sand, or vermiculite over the row to provide extra insulation. Vermiculite is available next to the potting soil at most garden centers.

Soaking seeds overnight immediately prior to planting may speed germination and increase the number of seeds that germinate.

Seeds and newly emerged seedlings need frequent watering to keep from drying out in the summer heat. A light soaking in morning and evening should suffice at the beginning. When plants are a few inches tall, water less frequently but for longer periods of time to encourage deep root growth. By late August, plants should be able to rely on natural rainfall.

Cutoff dates for when to plant depend on how long a crop takes to mature and the crop’s ability to withstand frost. For example, fall potatoes should be planted before the end of July to allow time for potatoes to form before frost, but turnips can be planted through mid-September.

Cabbage should also be planted before the end of July to ensure time for the crop to reach maturity.

Plant beets, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, Chinese cabbage, kohlrabi, and shallots now through mid-August. Seed directly into the garden and thin plants when they are a few inches tall. Carrots can stay in the ground for much of the winter in typical years. Mulch heavily around carrot plants when freezing temperatures arrive and harvest as needed through the season.

Plant lettuce, spinach, arugula, kale, radishes, and turnips mid-August through mid-September. These crops will withstand frosty temperatures and will last even longer if covered on freezing nights. Turnips can also be mulched and harvested as needed into early winter.

Kale, carrots, and turnips are often reported to be especially sweeter and more flavorful when grown in fall compared with spring harvests.

The average date of first frost in the Lawrence area is Oct. 16-20, according to the Kansas State University Weather Data Library.

Peas are one of the few cool-season crops that typically perform poorly in fall gardens and are generally not recommended.

— Jennifer Smith is a former horticulture extension agent for K-State Research and Extension and horticulturist for Lawrence Parks and Recreation. She is the host of “The Garden Show.” Send your gardening questions and feedback to features@ljworld.com.