10 Fast-Growing Veggies Ready in 40 Days (or Less!)

As the summer season draws to a close, you may wonder what's feasible to plant before the first frosts appear. The following guide introduces a selection of vegetables that not only adapt well to these conditions but can also be harvested within 40 days, some even promising multiple yields before winter.

Seed to harvest: 20 to 25 days

Radishes are an excellent choice for quick gratification, germinating rapidly even at the tail end of summer. By planting them successively, you can enjoy at least two harvests before frost. Ensure to pick them when they're about an inch in diameter. Don't forget, the greens are edible too!

Seed to harvest: 40 days

Choosing varieties like Babybeat and Baby Ball ensures you're ready to harvest in 40 days. Opt for the baby beet stage for tender greens that complement fresh salads. Alternatives include roasting or pickling for different culinary experiences.

Seed to harvest: 30 to 40 days

Turnips are a robust fall crop ideal for a variety of flavors depending on maturity. Early harvesting offers mild, sweet turnips. Slice them for pickling, sautéing, or roasting for a delightful palette.

Seed to harvest: 40 days

Despite their unusual appearance, kohlrabi is valuable both raw and cooked. While the typical maturation period is 50 days, harvesting earlier still yields a satisfactory bulb size. Both bulbs and leaves can add to your harvest returns, provided you choose fresh-eating kohlrabi types.

Seed to harvest: 30 to 40 days

This cold-resistant vegetable thrives when treated as a cut-and-come-again crop. Snip outer leaves and let others grow for a prolonged supply of spinach into the chillier months. Careful planting timing helps avoid high soil temperatures which inhibit germination.

Seed to harvest: 21 to 30 days

Through succession planting, especially under cooler conditions, lettuce can provide consistent crops until frost. With soil temps beyond 80°F, starting seeds indoors becomes necessary to ensure effective germination.

Seed to harvest: 30 days

Perfect for a quick salad garden, arugula can be harvested continuously by picking the outer leaves. Varieties of arugula withstand cold well, although growth slows as daylight wanes.

Seed to harvest: 30 to 40 days

Mini bok choy varieties optimize both speed and yield. Harvest by cutting outer leaves to promote regrowth, enhancing longevity in your vegetable garden.

Seed to harvest: 30 days

From spicy to mild, mustard greens adapt to the changing seasons. Harvesting at various stages allows for different culinary uses and enduring growth into cooler weather.

Seed to harvest: 30 days

Best harvested post-frost for sweeter flavors, baby kale offers a more palatable substitute to its mature form, needing less preparation. Early harvest yields tender, edible stems perfect for salads.Conclusion: Fast-growing crops like radishes and lettuce can quickly fill your end-of-summer gardening needs, offering rewarding harvests and culinary versatility.