Most people tend to think that all gardens must be started in the Spring. However, that’s not true. Many gardeners do plant a garden in the Spring and by mid to late Summer, the gardens tends die off. Southern climates will allow for another growing season by creating a Fall garden.
Fall gardens, also called Late Gardens, can be planted as soon as the previously planted, Spring garden begins to wither.
While not all vegetables will grow in the later part of the year many will. In fact, some vegetables do better in the fall than in the Spring due to scorching summer heats.
Fall vegetable gardens can be started between late August and mid-September, depending on the region. The goal is to have them planted so that they will be ready to harvest before the first cold snap.
Vegetables that can be Planted in Fall Gardens:
- Asparagus
- Beans
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Brussels Sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Carrots
- Collards Greens
- Cucumbers
- Garlic
- Herbs of all kinds
- Kale
- Leeks
- Lettuce
- Mustard Greens
- Okra
- Onions
- Peppers of all kinds
- Radishes
- Rutabagas
- Spinach
- Squash
- Tomatoes
- Turnips
How to Plant a Fall Garden
To begin planting a fall garden, the first thing to do is to till and prepare the planting sites. The Fall planting sites can be prepared that same as the Spring planting sites. It’s very important to insure good drainage, loose soil, and a good mixture of nutrients is provided.
If the Fall garden is being planted in the same area as a recently grown Spring garden then simply tilling in previously harvested plants and allowing them to decompose will create a wide range of nutrients. Larger plants with tougher stalks such as tomatoes, should be pulled from the garden as they will not have enough time to decompose before the new garden is planted.
Once the soil is prepared, seeds or seedling may be planted or sowed in the soil. The garden will require the same maintenance as Spring gardens. Things such as water, fertilizing, insecticides and fungicides will still be required.
When to Harvest a Fall Garden
As the cooler months approach be prepared to harvest all vegetables prior to the first frost. Leafy greens, asparagus and some other sprouts will benefit from a slight freeze. Greens for instance will be less bitter when they get a slight frost. All other vegetables such as tomatoes, okra, squash and peas, should all be picked prior to the first frost.
Fall gardens will provide a last chance to harvest vegetables to be canned, frozen or dried to be used during the winter months and avoiding the lesser-quality hot house grown vegetables that are available at supermarkets in the Winter.
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