Summer is in full swing, but experienced gardeners know a plentiful fall garden starts with summer planting. Plan now for the best fall garden yet! Start by outlining the space you have available, then plan for the vegetables and herbs you use most frequently. By planting in succession, you can ensure a constant harvest through the fall months for fresh eating or storage. While many people remember to plant cool-season crops in the spring, they often overlook the opportunity to grow in the fall as well. Don’t miss out on the perfect time to stock up on your favorite crops before the holiday season!
Why Prep Now for Fall Gardening?
You may be thinking, “Plant now? That’s crazy. It's 100 degrees out there.” It may be too hot to direct sow fall crops outdoors right now, but it is the perfect time to start planning and starting seeds indoors for late-summer transplanting. Many cool-season crops thrive in the fall as temperatures drop, producing some of the sweetest roots and leaves of the season.
To achieve this delectable harvest, it is essential to start growing crops like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and others indoors. After approximately six weeks, they can then be transplanted outdoors, just as the summer heat is replaced with cool fall weather. Your new transplants and directly sown seeds will benefit from the longer daylight hours and warm soil temperatures, resulting in faster, stronger, and healthier growth.
Clean Up and Refresh Your Garden Beds
Chances are, you have a few spent summer crops and some weeds that are ready to be removed from your garden. Take advantage of this space by cleaning it up and preparing it for another round of planting. If you have observed some of your spring or summer crops struggling in one way or another, you may want to consider testing the soil to get a complete understanding of where the nutrients and texture are at. Otherwise, amend the soil with compost or well-aged manure to give your fall crops a good start. Adding additional organic matter, such as worm castings or coconut coir, can also help your soil retain moisture, improve drainage, and enhance nutrient retention from season to season.
What to Plant for a Fall Harvest
While root crops and leafy greens typically struggle with the summer heat, they are perfect for growing as fall crops. Because root crops do not transplant well, plan to direct sow them in August. Those living in short-season areas can plant earlier in the month, while those in hotter climates should hold off until late August to early September. Start brassicas like kale, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage indoors. You will need a high-quality seed-starting soil mix, grow lights, and seed-starting trays. Leafy greens like arugula, lettuce, spinach, and mustard greens can either be started indoors or directly sown. You may want to do a little of both as you plant in succession over the coming weeks.
In addition to fall-harvested plants, plan for any fall-planted flower bulbs and garlic bulbs you want to see in your garden next year, as they should be planted during the fall season. This will give the bulbs time to start root growth before their vernalization period over the winter months. Flowers often require this cold period to initiate spring blooms. Flower bulbs and roots are typically available for preordering now for timely fall shipping.
Timing and Tips: Work Back from Your First Fall Frost
Growing a successful fall garden all comes down to timing. Planting too soon can result in bolting crops due to the summer heat. However, planting too late may result in a minimal harvest for your crops. Determine the optimal planting time by counting backward from your first expected fall frost date. The time between now and that date is the number of weeks you want to plan for. Adding a +/- 10-day buffer can be beneficial as frost dates are estimates. You may further note when the daytime high temperatures drop below 85-90 in your area. This will help you plan effectively for direct-sowing seeds and transplanting tender starts.
Extend the Growing Season with Simple Tools
If your growing location experiences short growing seasons, you may consider utilizing season-extending tools like winter tents, row covers, cold frames, or low tunnels to add an extra 2-3 weeks (or more) to your frost-free days. These can easily be added or removed during those touch-and-go days when frost is possible. Growers often observe potentially killing frosts about mid-fall, after which temperatures warm again to provide an additional month or two of good growing conditions. During the late-summer months, you may also find a shade cloth helpful in cooling your growing area and preventing premature bolting. Plan ahead for the best harvest yet!
Whether you want to make the most of your garden or simply want to get a jump-start for next year, now is the time to make plans and get planting! Start popular brassicas and leafy greens indoors for late-summer transplanting, or direct sow your favorite root crops in time for the sweetest flavors brought on by cooling fall temperatures.
About the Author:
Ashleigh Smith is the Managing Editor at True Leaf Market with a bachelor's degree in Horticulture from Brigham Young University - Idaho. True Leaf Market is a nationally certified organic, non-GMO seed and horticultural company based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The True Leaf Market staff specializes in supplying a large selection of conventional, heirloom, and organic seeds to home gardeners everywhere. Learn more about our seeds, supplies, and other growing ideas: www.trueleafmarket.com.
All articles are copyrighted and remain the property of the author.
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