It’s the end of July, and we’re trying to stay on top of caring for our summer garden. But now is also the time to think about your fall garden.
How to Plan Your Fall Plantings
Consider what you want to plant and locate the seeds for them. At this point, there’s no point in growing any more summer veggies, except green beans. Green beans mature very quickly, and you can still plant one more batch. Everything else takes too long, and wouldn’t have time to mature a crop. However, there are numerous cool-season veggies to choose from—broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, turnips, collards, beets, lettuces, kale, and Brussels sprouts—along with root crops like garlic, carrots, beets, and radishes.
Root Crops and Fall Veggies
Root crops should be planted by the end of August to allow them time to develop roots before the first frost. Remember, root crops HATE to be transplanted, so are best sown directly in the garden.
Broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, collards, cauliflower, spinach, and kale will also make it over the winter because they love cooler weather. However, because they love cooler weather, you may want to start them INDOORS around the end of July to mid-August and transplant them outside in mid-September, to miss a bit of the summer’s heat. I’ve often harvested kale and/or spinach over the winter. Do remember that exceptionally cold weather (several years ago, we actually got down to 5) can damage broccoli, cabbage, etc., so row covers can help a bit, if necessary.
Lettuces love the cooler weather of fall, but will not make it over the winter. However, you still have time to start them at the end of July and get a nice crop before the first frost, usually the end of October.
When to Fertilize Your Fall Crops
The best time to fertilize fall crops is about a month before the first expected frost date. Also, do remember to stay on top of watering as well. Use a balanced fertilizer, such as 10-10-10.
The most important thing of all—ENJOY!