The Fall Garden

  • By Kyle Valentini
  • August 22, 2010
  • 268
                        
With cooler weather just around the corner it is time to start thinking about planting new crops for fall harvest and protecting the mature plants currently thriving in the garden. It is not too late to get more fresh food from the garden even as the days become shorter and the temperatures drop. Several varieties of lettuce can be planted now for harvest before the first frost of the season. Direct sow seeds after extreme heat has passed or sow seeds in peat pots in the shade and transplant when temperatures cool. Lettuce thrives in cool weather and is ready to harvest as soon as the leaves are big enough to pinch off. Try growing mesclun so you get a variety of lettuces in one seed packet. Carrots are typically ready to harvest in 60 days. Planting now will allow for a second harvest. Carrot seeds germinate slowly but do well in cool temperatures. Plant no more than three seeds to an inch and thin as needed. Even a snowfall won’t harm your carrots. Some people believe they taste a bit sweeter after the first freeze. Carrots store well in the ground. For added protection you can cover them with leaves, straw or if Mother Nature allows, snow. Mark your rows clearly so you’ll know where to find them. Spinach both delicious and nutritious is easy to grow this time of year. Keep your seeds in the refrigerator for two weeks before planting. Much like lettuce, spinach will thrive in cool weather and can be harvested in as little 30 days. Try it cooked in soups, stews, lasagnas or egg dishes or raw in salads and on sandwiches. Snap peas and snow peas come in many frost-hardy varieties. Some are ready within 60 days. Soap the big seeds in water for about 8 hours prior to planting. This allows them to soak up moisture and they will sprout sooner. Grown on a trellis, peas are both great to eat and produce beautiful flowers in various colors to add a bit of charm to an otherwise dull landscape. Arugula is a peppery green that is sometimes called Rocket. It grows very quickly and can be harvested in less than a month. It can be grown in the garden or in containers. It matures quickly and once it begins to flower it becomes bitter. Harvest when leaves are still small. Use in salads or in pesto to preserve it longer. Radishes come in all shapes and sizes and colors you might not have considered. They grow quickly with little care. The flavors of radishes range from very pungent to very mild. You might be surprised at how delicious radishes are when you grow your own which are quite unlike the super market variety. Try growing several varieties so you can experiment and find your favorites. In addition to growing new plants for fall harvest, you can extend the growing season of the mature plants in your garden by using a variety of techniques. • Plastic mulches allow you to get a head start in spring but also keep the roots of mature plants warm in cooler weather. • Row covers can be made of fabric or plastic. Fabric row covers allow light and rain to penetrate. Row covers can be attached to a simple frame made of PVC or simply allowed to float on the leaves of plants. You’ll also find the added benefit of insect control when using row covers. • Cold frames are simple bottomless boxes with a glass or plastic cover. Try using old window sashes. Face the glass or plastic to the south for optimum warmth. Open the cold frame during the day to allow for ventilation. Keeping a thermometer in your cold frame will allow you to know when it is getting to hot. Heat, not cold is usually what kills plants in cold frames. • More sophisticated hoop houses are nearly as effective as a greenhouse but cost a great deal. Depending on your seriousness and budget this might be an option for you. There is nothing we can do to stop the cool weather from coming but we can work with it rather than against it to continue harvesting safe, fresh food from our gardens. You might find you’ll enjoy your fall garden more than that of spring and summer. With milder temperatures, fewer bugs and weeds, the fall garden is more satisfying. Fall is not only a time to prune and clean-up for next year. It is a time to plant!


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