Gardening in the Fall

Many gardeners avoid fall gardening altogether due to the possibility of early winter frosts. Fall gardening produces excellent vegetables and extends crop production long after spring-planted plants are finished. Some vegetables can be harvested until the first frosts if planted in the middle of the summer. Many gardeners avoid fall gardening in order to avoid frosts, but if tough, sturdy vegetables are planted, they can withstand a few frosts and provide you with delicious produce. Fall gardening allows you to enjoy your vegetable garden for at least a little longer.

Many gardeners avoid fall gardening altogether due to the possibility of early winter frosts. On the contrary, fall gardening produces excellent vegetables and extends crop production long after spring-planted plants are finished. Vegetables grown in the fall are sometimes sweeter and milder than those grown in the summer, adding a new flavor to old favorites.

Just like spring plants, what you choose to grow during your fall gardening will depend on your available space and what you like to eat. Even heat-loving crops like tomatoes, sweet potatoes, okra, and peppers will produce until frosts arrive, which can be late in the year in southern areas. However, some plants, such as snap beans, summer squash, and cucumbers, will die by the end of summer. These vegetables can be harvested until the first frosts if planted in the middle of the summer. 

Hardy, tough vegetables can grow in temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit, but weaker varieties can only survive light frosts. Remember that if you have root and tuber plants and the tops are killed by a freeze, the edible portion can be saved if you use a lot of mulch.

When fall gardening, choose vegetables that have the shortest growing season so that they can be fully grown and harvested before the frost arrives. Most seed packets will be labeled "early season," or you can look for seeds with the shortest days to maturity. You should look for seeds for fall gardening in the spring or early summer; they are usually out of stock by the end of the summer. They will keep in a cool and dry place until you are ready to plant them.

To determine the best time to begin fall gardening in your area, you must first determine when the first hard frost will occur. A Farmer's Almanac is one of the best ways to tell. They will give you precise dates and are almost never wrong. You'll also need to know how long it will take your plants to mature.

To prepare your soil for fall gardening, first remove any remaining spring/summer crops and weeds. If crops from the previous season are left in the garden, they can spread bacteria and disease. Spread a couple of inches of compost or mulch over the garden area to increase nutrients; however, if spring plants were heavily fertilized, this may not be necessary. Till the top layer of soil, wet it, and set it aside for 12-24 hours. Once this is completed, you are ready to begin planting.

Many gardeners avoid fall gardening in order to avoid frosts, but if tough, sturdy vegetables are planted, they can withstand a few frosts and provide you with delicious produce. Fall gardening allows you to enjoy your vegetable garden for at least a little longer.