Planning Your Fall Garden in Prescott
As summer winds down in Prescott, many gardeners assume the growing season is coming to a close, but that’s far from the case. Early fall brings a sweet spot for planting cool-season crops. With warm soil, mild days, and the first frosts still weeks away, now is a great time to get a winter garden started. Whether you’re hoping for homegrown vegetables into December or just want to keep your beds active a little longer, planning now can lead to rewarding harvests later in the year.
Fall gardening in central Arizona is all about timing and intention. In the Prescott area, where we typically experience our first frost around the middle of October(+/- 14 days), there’s a valuable window in early to mid-September when warm daytime temperatures can give your plants a strong start. These conditions help young plants develop quickly before growth slows due to shorter days and cooler nights.
Cold-hardy crops especially benefit from this head start. Leafy greens like spinach and lettuce, along with root crops such as carrots, beets, turnips, and radishes, thrive in cooler weather. But while they can tolerate frost, they need time to mature. Planting early gives them the best chance to grow large and healthy before the cold sets in.
When choosing what to plant, begin with your goals. Are you hoping to enjoy fresh salads into late fall, or stock up for winter with preserved or stored vegetables? Consider not only what you like to eat, but also how much you’ll reasonably use. For example, if your goal is to harvest a few bunches of carrots each week, resist the urge to sow an entire bed at once. Instead, stagger your plantings every 10 to 14 days. This succession planting strategy helps ensure a steady harvest over time rather than an overwhelming glut all at once.
There are two main ways to approach succession planting. Block planting involves harvesting one crop completely before replanting with another. Relay planting, by contrast, means planting a second crop while the first is still finishing, like starting spinach between rows of late-season tomatoes. While more complex to manage, relay planting allows for better use of limited space and can keep your garden productive well into winter.
Of course, growing in Prescott comes with its own set of challenges. The region’s higher elevation, variable soils, and early frost dates require careful planning. Fall days may be warm, but cooler nights mean slower growth. It’s important to select cold-hardy varieties and account for longer maturity times. Additionally, Prescott’s rocky or clay soils may benefit from compost or organic matter to improve texture and drainage. A soil thermometer can help determine when conditions are ideal for planting. Many cool-season crops germinate best when the soil is at least 60°F.
To protect crops from early cold snaps, row covers, or low tunnels can be a simple and effective solution. These lightweight covers help retain soil warmth and protect young plants from frost, allowing you to extend your harvest season well into late fall and early winter.
As with all gardening, a good plan goes a long way, but your own experience can be the best teacher. Taking time to think through what you want from your garden, how much space you have, and how to time your plantings can make a big difference. Tools like a calendar or a simple garden map help keep things organized, but some of the most valuable insights come after the fact. Jot down what worked, what didn’t, and what you’d try differently next time.
If you’re looking for guidance and inspiration to start your fall garden strong, consider joining us for the Fall Garden Succession Planning Workshop on Tuesday, September 16th, from 3:00 to 4:30 PM at the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension office in Prescott. This free workshop will focus on how to plan and manage a productive fall and winter garden in the cooler, high-elevation climate of western Yavapai County. We’ll cover crop selection, succession planting techniques, and tips for making the most of your space through the changing seasons. To register, visit: https://tinyurl.com/GardenCrops.
Michael Pierce is an Assistant in Extension, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension – Yavapai County