Fall Vegetable Plantings: A Good Opportunity

Fall vegetable gardens are as important as the spring vegetable garden, for health, savings and good meals. With winter lurking in the not too distant future, August and September are busy for many vegetable gardeners. Late summer is planting season for many good vegetables which will be to harvest in the cooler fall weather and a time to plant crops to harvest next spring.

With some planning for fall crops, the traditional Memorial Day to Labor Day vegetable garden can be brought up to it's full potential with extended harvests. Opportunities are many as the spring planted vegetables begin to show the wear and tear of the season; the changing seasons are not the end. The fall vegetable gardens are an opportunity.

Suggested Vegetables

Many roots crops enjoy the cooler temperatures. Red beets, turnips are two good choices, both the underground, flavorful bulbs and the leaves can be prepared; kohlrabi and carrots both do well and grow rapidly. They can withstand light frosts and can be mulched to give added protection when temperatures dip into the upper 20 degree F range.

Peas are an excellent late summer crop to plant and thrive in cooler weather. Many varieties of beans will also mature quickly, some in about 55 days. Broccoli and some cabbage varieties will also do well in a fall vegetable garden.

Lettuce is another valuable fall crop which grows well in the cooler weather. Lettuce can be a colorful crop in the fall garden. Spinach, Swiss chard and kale flourish in cooler weather and can withstand light frosts. All the leafy green vegetables do well in container garden or in the garden itself.

Some herbs can also be successfully planted from seed even in late summer. Parsley. dill, basil and cilantro planted in late summer will likely produce a good harvest just before the serious, harsh winter weather arrives.

Some Tips for the Fall Vegetable Garden

The trick with fall planting is watch for established dates in your region for a killing frost. Check that date, with the number of days to maturity on a particular vegetable and plant accordingly, with an eye focused on weather reports.

It is even possible in many northern areas, to plant a late tomato crop. Tomatoes can be cloned; cut off the suckers and place them in water until they root. Early varieties will give the best results in most cases for a late season harvest of tomatoes; tomatoes which mature in the 55 to 65 day period in most northern regions are best. Weather and gardening are two unpredictable and big gambles, so it's best to play the odds and hope for the best. If a cold air outbreak and killer frosts are forecast, at least there are nice green tomatoes which can be used or ripened inside.

One problem with a fall garden; in many locations, is the difficulty finding seeds to buy particularly at the so called "big box stores", large retails chain stores with garden centers. Spring garden displays have long since been replaced with back to school sales and Halloween displays.

One option is to research online garden supply stores for seeds. Another option is to buy extra seed packages in the spring or to save seeds by staggering planting throughout the season Many seeds can also be saved by home gardeners. Late season vegetable seeds also be found at farm co-ops and agricultural outlet stores.

A fall planted vegetable is not much different than one planted in the spring. An inexpensive soil test is an investment in the fall to determine what organic material needs to be added. The spring vegetables which are ending their cycle have likely used many soil nutrients needed by the fall crops.

As the weather cools, insects and pests become less of a problem and the weeds don't seem to thrive quite as much as in the spring. Some regions experience different fall weather patterns, so it is important to monitor local conditions and moisture and adjust gardening practices.

Some Other Good Crops for Fall Planting

While late summer plantings produce excellent harvests, there more crops to consider for a fall planting. Healthy garlic should be planted in September and October in more northern climates; gourmet shallots can also be planted for an early spring harvest.

Perennial vegetables such as rhubarb and asparagus seedlings can be planted in their permanent beds. Both crops can last for twenty years or better, a well worked and prepared is important for these long term garden members. Horseradish roots can also be planted successfully during the fall for a harvest in the spring or later in the following growing season.

One often overlooked fall chores are planting winter cover crops which protect the soil from harsh winter conditions and add nutrients to the soil, making fertile ground for the spring planting.

Winter crops which are beneficial and do help with with control are winter rye, wheat, clover and buckwheat. If planted early enough in the late summer, buckwheat will produce a backyard buckwheat harvest for home use, or the birds, while still adding needed nitrogen for the spring. It is a step up when it comes to soil management and weed suppression in the spring.

Late summer and early fall are also great compost times. There's plenty of leaves in most areas as well as final grass cuttings free to use. The extra effort will be a head start and a money saver when the spring weather arrives.

Plain and Simple

Late summer and early fall is still a busy planting season as well as a season of preparation for next spring. The fall vegetables and herbs will provide a "second" harvest" of good, nutritious food and result in additional savings in the household food budget.