How to Prep Your Southern Container Vegetable Garden for Fall

As the dog-days of summer begin to wind down, every gardener's eye turns to their precious patch. If you, like me, container garden, that can mean taking steps to ensure your plants make it through to next year as well as protecting your hardier "warm season" veggies in order to extend their lives (and production power). There is nothing so tasty as a fresh-from-your-garden tomato in the middle of December!

The first thing to do, if you haven't already, is to determine your hardiness zone (http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html). If your plants are hardy to two zones lower than your zone, they should be fine outside all winter, with just a little effort. For example, in Central Florida, at zone 9, my zone 7 plants should be able to stay outside without any major problems. If your plants are not hardy to the proper zone, you will want to begin thinking about winter indoor storage for your plants. Once you have done this, double check that your containers will get at least 6 hours of sunlight daily and that your plants will be protected from any cold winds. If they won't, you may need to relocate as the seasons change from summer to fall. I use a porch railing and clothesline to set up a sort of windbreak around my plants when it gets chilly.

Throughout August and September it is advisable to make sure your plants are being properly fertilized. If you are not using a long-term fertilizer, it is best to fertilizer at least once a month, but not more than twice a month. The exception to this is if you are using a very porous material. These will dry out faster and will also need to be fertilized more often. Keep up with your pest control, monitoring the soil as well if your plants are going to come inside during the cold snaps. One of the easiest ways to keep your plants healthy and thriving is to pinch back and deadhead diseased and dead portions. August is a good time to start some of your cool season crops, although there are many warm season crops that will do well at this time, too. For example, a variety of lettuces, cantaloupe, sweet potatoes and tomatoes can be planted now and will survive through December with minimal extra effort in my zone. As with any vegetable or fruit, be sure to select from varieties that are appropriate to your specific region.

If you are planning to attempt tomatoes you will have to take a cutting, root it and plant it as the majority of garden centers will not have plants at this time and no tomato will have time to grow in order to produce for you before the frost. If you want your tomatoes to last year-round make sure you plan to wrap the container and cover the plant during those frosty winter nights. If you live further north than zone 7, don't plan on your tomatoes making it through the winter outside.

September is also a good month for beginning cool season plants that will bloom and produce throughout the winter. Some ideal veggies to start at this time are: broccoli, bush bean varieties, cabbage, potatoes, radishes, celery, collards, Brussels sprouts and spinach. There are a number of cool weather veggies that will grow well for you, a great table for planting times for all year can be found here: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/VH021. It is also a good idea to begin assessing the soil in your containers. If you are having trouble with a plant, it is a good idea to repot with fresh soil.

If some of your containers will need to come inside, begin preparing an area where they will be safe from indoor hazards (children, spouses, pets) and will receive at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. Plan your surface carefully -- you will want to use some kind of water resistant or water-proof layer between your plants and whatever they happen to be sitting on. If it is in an out-of-the-way location, simple trash bags will do nicely, otherwise, you may want to consider something like a plastic table cloth to protect your floor or furniture from damp seepage.

Just a little extra planning can give you a thriving, healthy veggie garden throughout the fall and well into winter.