Plant a Fall Garden For Harvest

Contrary to what many people think, gardening isn’t just for the spring and summer. Planting a fall garden takes those home-grown food rewards up a notch, extending your harvest into cooler months. If it’s done right, you can enjoy fresh vegetables long after the summer heat fades away. Let’s get into it and walk through how to set up your fall garden so you can enjoy homegrown goodies well into the fall.

How to Plant a Fall Garden for Harvest

Timing is Everything for Your Fall Garden

Timing is everything when it comes to fall gardening. With shorter days and cooler weather, some plants take longer to mature. First things first, before planting your fall vegetable garden, check your area for the first frost date. Use it as a guide in planning your fall planting.

So, if you know when frost is likely to hit, work backward from that date. Figure out how long each plant needs to mature before the frost landing. Seed packets generally include information on how many days each plant needs to reach maturity.

What are the Best Crops to Grow in Fall?

So, what are the best vegetables to plant in your fall garden? Cooler temperatures are ideal for crops that don’t fare well in the summer heat. Leafy greens usually do quite well in the fall and often taste sweeter as the temperatures drop. They can include:

• Spinach
• Kale
• Lettuce
• Cabbage
• Mustard Greens

Equally ideal for fall are root vegetables such as beets, carrots, radishes, and turnips. These vegetables are hardy and sweetened in the cool season after a light frost. Give your fall veggies a head start, and start your fall garden veggie seeds indoors. Transplant them in your garden six to eight weeks later.

Other crops that love a cooler weather garden season include:

• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Brussels sprouts
• Bush Beans

Prepare the Soil and Garden Beds Before you Plant Your Fall Garden

If you have a summer veggie garden, fall is the time to remove the old crops and prepare the soil for your fall plants. The depleted ground needs refreshing after a long season of summer growth. Amend the soil by adding compost or organic matter to restock the nutrients depleted by your summer crops. Healthy, nutrient-rich soil gets your fall garden off to a good start.

Planting for Cool Weather

When planting for fall, remember that the soil is usually warmer than the air in the early weeks, which is great for germinating seeds. Although cool-weather crops can take a light frost and may taste sweeter after going through it, a hard frost will kill them. Know your weather forecast, and have row covers or frost blankets ready for your plants.

Adjust Your Watering Schedule

The fall season brings increased rainfall, and the crops require less water. The rule of thumb is to water deeply but less frequently. The soil will retain moisture better without becoming waterlogged.

Fall Means Fewer Pest Problems

One of the great benefits of fall planting is that pests are less prevalent. When your fall crops get going, the bugs that plagued your garden in early spring and mid-summer are gone. This means there’s less concern about pests destroying your harvest.

Enjoy the Extended Harvest

Planting a fall garden is an excellent way to extend your growing season and enjoy fresh produce well into the cool months. With proper planning, suitable crops, and care, you’ll be able to reap tasty veggies even when temperatures start to fall.

Arbor Hills Tree Farm & Nursery Omaha

We provide the Highest Quality Field Grown Nebraska Trees and Shrubs – directly to our customers, at the lowest possible price.

Whether you are looking for trees for:

• new home landscaping
• wind blockage
• commercial or residential

Simply select the tree(s) you want, and they will be ready for pickup or delivery the following Saturday Morning. The trees are easy to handle and plant. Click here for more information.