From Fall to Winter: How to Transition Your Garden for Year-Round Harvests

A step-by-step guide to Fall to Winter Gardening in the Pacific Northwest for continuous harvests and thriving raised beds

“Growing kale in winter is like harvesting hope in the frost.”

Many gardeners think of fall as the end of the season, but in the Pacific Northwest, it’s actually the beginning of your next harvest cycle. With the right planning, your garden can flow seamlessly from crisp fall crops into hearty winter harvests. Here’s how to make that transition so your raised beds stay productive all year.

1. Start with the Right Fall Crops

Fall is the perfect time for quick-growing, cool-loving vegetables. Think salad greens, spinach, kale, radishes, carrots, and broccoli. These crops thrive in shorter, cooler days—and many of them actually taste better after a touch of frost.

👉 For a full crop list, check out my Fall Gardening Guide, written specifically for the PNW.

2. Succession Planting Extends Your Harvest

If you’re pulling out summer crops like beans or zucchini, replant the space right away. Succession planting ensures your soil never sits empty. For example:

• After cucumbers → sow spinach

• After bush beans → sow carrots or beets

• After lettuce → reseed with radishes

3. Protect Tender Crops Early

As nights get cooler, a little protection goes a long way.

• Row covers trap warmth and shield against pests.

• Cold frames or low tunnels can add 4–10°F, keeping greens going strong.

• Mulch protects roots of carrots, leeks, and beets for harvest well into winter.

👉 You can find more detailed tips on protective covers in my Winter Kitchen Gardening in the Pacific Northwest blog post.

4. Prep Your Beds for Winter Plantings

Some crops, like garlic, overwinter beautifully when planted in late fall. Others (like hardy kale or mache) will keep growing slowly through winter. Clear away summer debris, amend with compost, and make room for your cold-hardy plantings.

5. Plan Ahead for Seamless Year-Round Gardening

Think of your fall garden as the “bridge” to your winter harvests. With the right planning, you’ll always have something coming up and something ready to pick.

👉 I just published Winter Kitchen Gardening in the Pacific Northwest: Fresh Harvests All Year — which shows you how to keep harvesting through the coldest months. Pair it with my Fall Gardening Guide, and you’ll have a complete roadmap from September through March.

Final Thought

Fall gardening isn’t the end of the season—it’s the start of your year-round harvest. With just a little planning, you can transition smoothly into winter and enjoy fresh food long after your neighbors have put their gardens to bed.

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