Planting Fall Crops

Here's a sampling of the seeds we planted recently to ensure we have a fall harvest.

I finally picked my first ripe cherry tomato today (August 2nd).  It's hard to believe that we've been planting fall crops the past couple of weeks when our warm season crops haven't produced much yet.

The key to growing fall harvest crops is planting at the correct time in fertile soil to ensure that the vegetables can grow and mature before cold weather and short days set in.  Slow growing crops that take 70 to 100 days such as cabbage and cauliflower need to be planted in late June or early July.  You can get around this by buying starts.  Good nurseries such as Gardensphere sell fall vegetables starts for a very short period of time (the last week of July to the first week of August).  Quick growing crops that take 25 to 55 days to mature such as radishes, arugula, bok choy, spinach, and lettuce can be planted throughout August.  These are easy to plant from seed which are also available at Gardensphere.  I love planting from seed in the summer because they germinate so quickly in the warm soil.  The only drawback is that you have to be careful to water consistently and not let the little sprouts dry out.

Kale and Purple Broccoli are super hardy and can be planted in the fall and will overwinter and mature in late February or March.  Garlic can be planted in October and will be ready to harvest in late May or June. 

Over the past several years, I've really enjoyed growing fall and winter cool season crops because mother nature usually takes care of the watering and there are fewer pests to contend with during the cool months.  It also gives you a reason to get out and into the garden during those short daylight hours. 

August- Planting Fall Crops

Late Summer in the garden is a time to relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor.  It's also time to plant cool-season crops, so you can harvest fresh vegetables well into the Fall and Winter.   As we harvested mature crops that we planted in the Spring, like garlic and onions, we created open space for new plantings.  One  the best parts of planting in August is that the soil is warm.  Therefore, the seeds germinate quickly and the beds will look full again fairly quick.

Our August 1- plant list:

beets

bok choy

cabbage

carrots

kale

lettuce- mesclun mix

rutabaga

turnips

Our Late August- plant list:

fava beans

peas

Soil preparation- we added soil-building compost to several beds that were lacking organic material.

Kale seeds saved from plants that were planted last Fall.  The seeds ripened in July.

Planting tip- the weather is often warm with little rain in August.  Water the soil well before planting if the soil is very dry.  Water after planting to settle in the seeds.  Lightly water daily to make sure your soil doesn't dry out.  You want your soil to be like a damp sponge (not a soppy-wet one).  When your seedlings are an inch tall or so, the roots should be down far enough that you can water every two or three days depending on the weather and how well-drained your soil is.

Once we get further along into September, the rains return and the temperatures cool, so watering is no longer a chore.

Young Dwarf Blue Scotch Kale

Pest Tips- White Cabbage Moths are still out and about laying eggs on the leaves of Brassica plants (cabbage, kale, turnips, rutabaga, etc.)  Place clean white eggs shell halves (not crushed) around your young plants to discourage the moths from landing.  They are territorial and think the shells are other moths.  

Also, if you notice holes in your brassica leaves, look for the tiny green caterpillar and squish it.  Keep an eye out for slugs too.  They love bok choy and lettuce.  

Soil Preparation for Beets- we added wood ash from our fireplace.    

Young Beets- Cylindrical, Red Ace & Winterkeeper

Peas- we lost some fresh peas in the back of the fridge, they sprouted, so we decided to take them back outside and plant them.

Young Mesclun Mix- we're eating fresh salad once again.  It only took one month from planting to reach our plate.

Every year we like to try to grow something new.  For this Fall it's Fava Beans.  I read that they love cool weather and will overwinter.  I'm so excited to see how they turn out.