Row by Row Episode 259: Planning A Fall Garden
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Introduction
We all know that spring gardens are everyone's favorite to have BUT if you haven't yet, you really should start planning your fall garden! So why exactly should you have a fall garden, let's discuss a few reasons. Less work, less hands on, less pest pressure, less weed pressure, it's cooler outside, and you need less water. Most big box stores do not have plants for fall gardening which is crazy to us because you can still garden well into the fall and even the winter depending on where you are located, many of those people in warmer climates (like Florida) can almost garden year-round. So let's talk planning a fall garden.
What Vegetables Can Be Planted In The Fall?
We've got plenty of vegetable suggestions for you that are suited for the fall garden, with planting dates that run from late summer through fall itself. Here are just a few of Hoss favorites for fall growing! Arugula, beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, collards, garlic, kale, mustard greens, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, celery, cilantro, and swiss chard. You can also add in some cool season flowers such as, Calendula Prince Mix!
When Should I Plant Fall Vegetables? | Planning A Fall Garden
Obviously the best time for planting depends on the area where you live and what you plan to grow. The secret to fall vegetable gardening success is planning your harvest backwards. You will want to start with your frost date for the fall in your area. Then find out the number of days that you will need before you can harvest your fall vegetables. You can usually find that number on the back of the seed packet. Days to maturity. This will be different for direct seeds versus transplants.
How Should You Prepare For Your Fall Garden?
Prepare your garden for the fall by making room for all the new plants that you are about to harvest. Start by ripping out all of the plants that you have already harvested, as well as plants that are no longer performing well (like tomatoes that have succumbed to disease or peas that have been burned by the sun). At this time, you will always want to pull up any weeds from the beds so that they don't try to steal nutrients and moisture from your fall vegetables.
- Tarps
- Cover Crops
- Get your spots ready for onions, garlic, and strawberries that you will overwinter.
Ya'll be sure to check out The Great Fall Garden Festival, it's a Meet & Greet gathering of Homesteads, farms, and artisans who connect with others through their YouTube Channel. It's FREE ADMISSION on September 9, 2023 from 9am-5pm in Jemison, Alabama. Check out the link here! This family friendly event will feature an educational speaker series, homemade and home grown fare at our participants booths, meet and greet, food truck vendors, and a harvest contest.