Now
22°C · Clear
Today
22° / 14°
Soil 6 cm
18°C
First frost
~49 days (Oct 27)
Gardening in Burlington
AI field guide · refreshed weeklyBurlington Gardening: Early Fall Harvest & Cool-Season Planting
You're in zone 6a with 49 days until your average first frost (Oct 27). Soil at 18°C is ideal for fall crops—cool enough to slow bolting, warm enough for germination. Spring frost came May 3, giving you 128 frost-free days so far; use this window to establish cold-hardy greens and roots that'll mature before hard freeze.
Sow outdoors now
Spinach (Bloomsdale Long Standing, Space)
Sow directly now; germinates well at 18°C and matures in 40–50 days before frost. Thin to 10 cm (4 in) spacing.
Arugula (Roquette)
Fast crop (30 days), thrives in cool soil. Sow thickly, harvest outer leaves continuously. Tolerates light frost.
Radish (Cherry Belle, Watermelon)
Ready in 25–30 days; plant now for late-September harvest before soil cools further. Direct sow 1 cm (0.4 in) deep.
Mâche (Corn Salad)
Cold-hardy green that overwinters in zone 6a; sow now for fall and early spring harvest. Germinates slowly but worth the wait.
Turnip (Purple Top White Globe)
60–70 days to maturity; sow now for November harvest. Roots sweeten after light frost. Thin to 15 cm (6 in).
Start indoors now
Kale (Lacinato, Winterbor)
Start indoors now for transplant in 4–5 weeks; these cold-hardy varieties improve in flavor after frost and produce through November.
Cabbage (January King, Savoy)
Start indoors; transplant in 3 weeks for late-October harvest. Both store well and tolerate frost.
Leek (Varna, King Richard)
Slow grower (120+ days); start now indoors, transplant in 4 weeks for November–December harvest and overwintering.
Harvest now
Tomato (all varieties)
Pick all remaining fruit before frost; ripen indoors on a windowsill or in a paper bag with an apple. Nights now dip to 14°C—frost risk rises sharply after Oct 1.
Pepper (sweet and hot)
Harvest mature peppers; immature fruit won't ripen outdoors. Remove plants before first frost.
Basil & tender herbs
Frost will kill them within 6 weeks. Harvest heavily now, dry or freeze, or dig up plants for indoor windowsill growing.
Summer squash & zucchini
Pick regularly to encourage production through September. Vines slow as nights cool; remove diseased leaves to prevent mildew.
Tasks this week
- Deadhead spent flowers and remove diseased foliage to redirect energy and reduce pest habitat.
- Mulch beds with 5 cm (2 in) compost or shredded leaves to insulate soil and suppress weeds as growth slows.
- Water deeply after the rain expected Sept 9–10; soil will cool quickly, so reduce frequency but water thoroughly when you do.
- Scout for aphids and spider mites on remaining brassicas and herbs—cooler nights favor mites; spray with neem oil if needed.
- Cut back perennials only after hard frost; leave stems standing for winter shelter and seed for birds.
Watch out for
- Frost risk: Your first frost average is Oct 27, but early frosts can arrive by mid-October in low-lying areas. Monitor forecasts and be ready to cover tender crops.
- Powdery mildew: Cool, humid nights (like Sept 9–10) trigger it on squash and herbs. Improve air flow and avoid overhead watering.
- Slugs and snails: Wet weather and falling temperatures bring them out; handpick at dusk or use beer traps around young greens.
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