Spring in Reverse: What to Plant Now for Fall Salads

Summer isn’t the end of the garden—it’s the turning point. In this episode of Garden Talk, Jimmy and Susan break down their favorite strategy: “spring in reverse”—the late-summer shift where days get shorter, nights cool down, and it’s time to start planting again for a fall harvest. They talk timing (why you need to start seeds before the real cool-down hits), how heat can burn up tender seedlings, and why growing in pots makes fall planting easier—because you can move plants into partial shade when the sun is still intense. They also explain what crops make sense for a fall push (and which ones don’t), plus simple ways to stretch the season with covers when an early frost threatens. You’ll hear what they’re planting and saving right now—lettuce, radishes, dill, basil, kale, cabbage, and other cold-tolerant brassicas—along with tips on seed saving, succession planting, and why fresh fall salads are worth the effort. In this episode: What “spring in reverse” means and why it works When to plant for fall (and why timing is everything) Using pots to manage heat + move seedlings into safer light Best fall crops: lettuce, radishes, kale, cabbage, brassicas, root crops What won’t handle cold well (tomatoes, basil, etc.) Extending the season with covers/sheets Seed saving + replanting (lettuce, radishes, dill) Succession planting vs planting all at once Why they do it: cleaner food, peace of mind, and staying active outdoors Have you tried spring in reverse before? What grows best for you in the fall where you live? Drop your tips in the comments. Don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share for more Garden Talk.