In Southeast Georgia, July marks the beginning of fall garden preparations, offering a great opportunity to sow heat-tolerant vegetables that will mature as the weather cools.
Throughout July and early August, you can direct sow okra, southern peas (like cowpeas and black-eyed peas), sweet potatoes, and heat-tolerant greens like collards. August is the perfect time to start transplants of broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower indoors or in a shaded outdoor area.
By late August and into early September, you can direct sow carrots, beets, turnips, mustard greens, kale, and lettuce varieties that thrive in cooler weather. September is also ideal for setting out transplants of your fall brassicas and starting garlic.
In October, focus on planting spinach, radishes, and more lettuce, and begin preparing beds for overwintering crops like onions and cover crops.
With Southeast Georgia’s long growing season, fall gardens can be productive and diverse with the right planning and timing.
| Crop | Planting Time | How to Plant | Days to Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bush Beans | July 1–15 | Direct sow | 50–60 | Quick harvest; plant early in the month |
| Southern Peas | July | Direct sow | 60–70 | Heat-loving, drought-tolerant |
| Okra | Through mid-July | Direct sow | 60–70 | Continues producing until frost |
| Cucumbers | July 1–20 | Direct sow | 50–65 | Choose heat-tolerant, disease-resistant types |
| Summer Squash | July 1–15 | Direct sow | 45–60 | Quick grower, watch for squash bugs |
| Pumpkins | July 1–10 | Direct sow | 90–110 | For Halloween harvest |
| Watermelon | By July 10 | Direct sow | 80–100 | Needs full sun and space |
| Broccoli | Start July 20–Aug 10 | Start indoors | 70–90 (after transplant) | Transplant late Aug/early Sept |
| Cabbage | Start July 20–Aug 10 | Start indoors | 80–100 | Transplant in 4–6 weeks |
| Cauliflower | Start July 25–Aug 10 | Start indoors | 60–80 | Sensitive to heat at harvest |
| Brussels Sprouts | Start late July | Start indoors | 90–120 | Needs a long, cool season |
| Collards | July 15–Aug 15 | Direct sow or transplant | 60–85 | Very heat-tolerant, grows into winter |
| Kale | Late July–Aug | Direct sow or start indoors | 50–75 | Frost improves flavor |
| Carrots | Late July–Sept | Direct sow | 70–80 | Keep moist for germination |
| Beets | Aug–Sept | Direct sow | 50–65 | Sow in loose soil for good root growth |
| Turnips | Aug–Sept | Direct sow | 45–60 | Use greens and roots |
| Radishes | Aug–Oct (succession) | Direct sow | 25–30 | Quick grower, great filler crop |
| Lettuce | Aug–Sept | Direct sow or start indoors | 45–55 | Choose heat-tolerant varieties at first |
| Mustard Greens | Aug–Oct | Direct sow | 40–50 | Very easy to grow in fall |
| Spinach | Sept–Oct | Direct sow | 40–60 | Needs cool soil to germinate |
Notes:
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Transplant timing: Wait until evening temps begin dropping below 75°F consistently (late August to early September).
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Succession planting: Especially for radishes, lettuce, and greens—plant every 2 weeks for extended harvest.
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Protection: Consider row covers or shade cloth in early stages to combat heat and pests.
