Fall Gardening

It is sometimes thought that fall gardening should not be attempted due to threats of early frost. I have found that fall gardening more often than not will result in plump, rich vegetables which can last even longer than spring planted gardens if done right. A lot of the time there is a noticeable difference in taste, between vegetables grown in the fall and summer. When vegetables are grown in the fall you can notice a more mild, subtle and sweet taste. You can grow the same vegetable in the Fall and have a completely different taste than in the summer.

Deciding on what to grow in the Fall usually depends on your growing area, what your favorite vegetables are, and how early the frost comes in your area. As you know some vegetables take slightly longer than others to mature. The plants you would believe to only grow in the full sun will actually hold there own until the frost gets the best of them. Peppers such as jalapenos, bell peppers and tomatoes of all shapes and sizes, will all grow well in the Fall in most areas of the south, due to the frost hitting later in the season. Plants to watch out for include squash, and cucumbers. These vegetables need a little more time and do not do well with the slightest bit of frost. They need to be planted at the latest in the middle of the summer. Keep in mind if you are in an area with frost issues, root plants can survive after a frost even if the top is damaged. The part in the ground that you are meant to consume is still good. It is best to have an excess amount of mulch over the root section of the plant to aid in the frost.

Another necessary area to remember is the soil of the garden. It is a necessity to make sure and get most if not all of the old plant and weeds from the previous growing season. This prevents disease from spreading to the new crops. I recommend a good cover of mulch throughout your gardening area. Give a good 1-2 inch top layer, wet it down and wait overnight.

Something to keep in mind when picking the vegetables to grow in your Fall garden, is the time span they have available to grow and when the frost generally starts every year in your area. This can be found inside a Farmers Almanac. It is best to pick seeds that are made for short season maturity. Seeds are usually labeled as early season or fast maturity etc. This is what you want to look out for when attempting a fall garden. Seeds of this sort are usually easier to find if purchased in the spring. Just save them for the fall.

Fall gardening is often thought of as something to not be attempted. Usually any bad experience with Fall gardening is caused by incorrect preparation and seed choice. As long as the plant has a short maturity and a tough strain of vegetable, they should grow nicely. A few frosts are not going to stop a sturdy vegetable strain from producing tasty vegetables. So don’t have the fall season stop you from your passion, this year give Fall gardening a try