Fall gardening

What is Fall Gardening?

Sucessional plantings of warm season crops for harvesting up to frost

Late summer plantings of cool season crops that can tolerate a frost

Fall plantings of very hardy crops for spring harvesting

Protection of crops for extended harvest

Why plant in the fall?

Fewer harmful insects

Fewer weedsExtended use of

garden spaceFresh crops for a

longer time

Cole crops: broccoli, cabbage, collards, kale cauliflower, kohlrabi, Brussels sprouts

Greens: leaf/head lettuce, spinach, chard, arugula, Asian greens, mustard, cilantro

Root crops: rutabagas, beets, carrots, turnips, parsnips, radishes

Cool season crops

Overwintering Crops

ChicoriesGarlicKaleLeeksMultiplier OnionsSpinach

• Leeks

Fall conditions

Cooler days and nights Shorter daysSlower rate of crop maturationSome crops become sweeterLettuce and spinach will not bolt

Transplants

Transplants are commonly used for:

Broccoli Brussels sproutsCabbageCauliflowerCollards

Setting out transplants

Seedlings need gradual exposure to direct sunlight Will benefit from light shading for the first few days Keep them moist!!

Direct seeding

Beets Carrots Chinese cabbage Cilantro Collards Endive Kale Kohlrabi Lettuce Mustard greens Spinach Turnips

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Timing of seeding for Fall Crops

Identify average first frost dateIdentify days to maturity from seed/transplantAdd 14 days for Short Day Factor

Days to plant before frost date = days to germinate/days to transplant + days to maturity + SDF

Sample Calculation For Sowing Spinach Seeds

• Days to germination: 5-7• Days to maturity: 35• Short Day Factor (SDF): 14• 54-56 days

Sow seeds about 8 weeks before the first frost (~Oct. 15)

Mid August

Row Cover Protection

Throw a bed sheet over row cover for a few days to provide shade.

Row covers deter insects and larger critters.

Row covers can extend season.

Organic mulches can provide shade

and reduce evaporation

~ 1 month later

Getting seeds to germinate in the late summer

Soil is often hot and dry in the late summer.Daily watering is often necessary to establish

fall crops. Carrot seedlings will perish if soil is not kept

moist.

Some seeds will not germinate at high temperatures.

The maximum soil temperature for germinating lettuce and spinach is 70-75 degrees F.

For most vegetables, the optimum temperature for germination is 80 -90 degrees F.

Pre-germinating seeds

Soak seeds overnight in a moistened paper towel enclosed in a plastic bag.

Do not soak longer than a day or 2 or delicate seedling parts will be damaged in planting.

Direct seeding in the fall

Plant seeds slightly deeper. Depth may be 1 ½ to 2 times deeper than spring.

Can cover seeds in furrow with potting soil or vermiculite.

Keep soil cool and moist. Cover seeded area with burlap, newspapers, or boards.

Water soil before sowing and after.

Interplanting

Use shade from existing plants

Sow lettuce, carrots, arugula, beets, collards

Mustard greens on north side of tomatoes

What to do right now

Last plantings of fast growing warm season vegetables-snap beans, cukes, summer squash

Start cabbage family seedlings indoors Direct seed carrots, beets, chard, kale,

collards…Soak or pre-germinate lettuce or

spinach seeds for direct seeding

Fall Planting Schedule

10-12 weeks before frost:

Direct seed beets, carrots, collards lettuce, radishes…

Planting Schedule

8 to 10 weeks before frost:

Direct seed Asian greens, arugula, turnips, spinach, mustard…

Direct seed second planting of lettuce, radishes, beets…

Set transplants for cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower…

Planting schedule

6 to 8 weeks before frost:

Direct seed spinach, lettuce, arugula, radishes...

Sow vegetables under protective cover.

Season extension

• Floating Row Cover– Provides 4-10

degrees of protection

• Cold Frame• Hoop House• Greenhouse

What should you do??

You can pick them off by hand