Many gardeners do not even contemplate fall gardening because of the winter frosts that could make an early appearance. However, fall gardening can result in excellent vegetables and will extend crops long after spring planted plants are finished. Vegetables produced from fall gardening are sometimes sweeter and milder than those grown in the summer and offer a brand new taste to the same old vegetables.

What you choose to grow during you fall gardening will depend on your available space and what you like to eat, just like spring plants. Even the crops that enjoy the heat, such as tomatoes, sweet potatoes, peppers and okra, will produce until the frosts hit, which can be pretty late in the year in southern states. But, there are some plants that will quit towards the end of summer such as snap-beans, summer squash and cucumbers. If these vegetables are planted around the middle of the summer they can be harvested until the first frosts too. Hardy, tough vegetables will grow until the temperature is as low as 20 degrees, but those that aren’t as strong will only be able to grow through light frosts. Don’t forget that if you have root and tuber plants and the tops are killed by a freeze the edible part can be saved if a large amount of mulch is used.

When fall gardening, make sure and pick the vegetables with the shortest growing season so they can be full grown and harvested before the frost comes. Most seed packages will be labeled “early season”, or you can find the seeds boasting the fewest days to maturity. You may want to go after your seeds for fall gardening in spring or early summer; they are usually not kept in stock towards the end of summer. If they are stored in a cool and dry location they will keep until you are ready to plant.

In order to know exactly when the best time to start fall gardening, you must know about when the first hard frost will likely hit your area. One of the best ways to tell this is by a Farmer’s Almanac. They will give you precise dates and are rarely wrong. You will also have to know exactly how long it takes your plants to mature.

To get your soil prepared for fall gardening you must first remove any leftover spring/summer crops and weeds. Crops leftover from the last season can end up spreading bacteria and disease if left in the ground. Spread a couple of inches of compost or mulch over the garden area to increase the nutrients, however, if spring plants were fertilized heavily it may not need much, if any. Till the top layer of soil, wet it down, and let it set for about 12-24 hours. Once this has been done, you are ready to start planting.

Many gardeners will run from fall gardening so they don’t have to deal with frosts, but if tough, sturdy vegetables are planted they can withstand a few frosts and give you some wonderful tasting produce. Fall gardening gives you the chance to enjoy your vegetable garden for at least a little bit more time.

And don’t you think you desire a spot in the backyard to relax. Why not built a pergola ready for those warm sunny days in the spring and summer. Find out more
Building a pergola
Pergola designs
Build a pergola
These articles are packed with tips and advice. Building a pergola is not as difficult, or expensive as you might think.

Bookmark to: