Step 3:
Start Seeds + Support Transplants

Once the intense heat of summer starts to fade, it’s time to think cool. Crisp mornings and shorter days mean the perfect growing conditions for fall vegetables — and with the right start, you can enjoy fresh harvests well into the cooler months.

Here’s how to start seeds and support your transplants so your fall garden gets off to its best possible start.

1. Choose the Right Cool-Season Crops

Fall gardening thrives on veggies that love cooler temps. Some of the best choices include:

  • Leafy greens: lettuce, spinach, kale, Swiss chard

  • Root crops: carrots, beets, radishes, turnips

  • Brassicas: broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts

  • Herbs: cilantro, parsley, dill

2. Timing is Everything

Check your area’s first frost date and count backward. Most cool-season crops need 6–10 weeks of growth before frost to mature. Start seeds indoors for longer-season crops (like broccoli and cabbage) and direct sow fast growers (like radishes and spinach) straight into your garden beds.

3. Give Seeds the Best Start

Seeds need steady moisture and healthy soil to germinate strong. Prepare your seed starting trays or garden beds with GardenGro to create the best environment.

💧 How to Apply for Seeds: Mix 1–2 oz per gallon of water and apply lightly to moisten the soil before planting. This primes the soil biology to support quick, even germination.

4. Support Your Transplants

Transplants can experience stress when moved from trays to the garden. Help them adjust with an immediate application of GardenGro to boost root establishment and reduce transplant shock.

💧 How to Apply for Transplants: After planting, water in with a solution of 1–2 oz per gallon of water to cover the root zone. Repeat every 2–3 weeks through fall for ongoing support.

5. Protect from Heat & Pests

Early fall can still bring hot afternoons. Provide light shade cloth for tender seedlings if needed, and keep soil evenly moist. Floating row covers also help protect young plants from pests while creating a stable microclimate.

Your Fall Garden Advantage

By starting seeds now and giving transplants the right support, you’ll set your fall crops up for strong growth, flavorful harvests, and a garden that stays productive even as the days grow shorter.

🍂 This is Step 3 of the KozGro Fall Prep Series
Next up: Boost Compost Piles + Accelerate Chop-and-Drop Breakdown. Follow along here and on Facebook & Instagram so you don’t miss a step.