Fruitful Fall
It’s time to plant those fall crops!! Last month we went over fall planning. (You can find that post here.) This month it’s all about planting. There are two (or three) options in the fall…planting, a cover crop, or nothing. Let’s go over those options and a few other tips.
Tip # 1 - Planting. Why not plant? Fall crops are sooo easy to care for and as you know the taste of fresh veggies are WAY better than store bought. Amend your soil with some compost and get to planting! Here are some easy fall crops…swiss chard, lettuce, cabbage, bok choy, and root veggies.
Tip # 2 - Cover crop. Plant a cover crop to protect your soil and amend it at the same time. Winter peas, buckwheat, legumes are common cover crops that help to add nitrogen to the soil. This is the easiest route for fall and I absolutely have done this some years. By planting a cover crop you are helping prepare your garden for the next season of planting!
Tip # 3 - Nothing. You can do nothing. I do not recommend this route. Protecting your soil is important! Leaving your soil exposed causes erosion and damage to the microbiome in the soil. It really does nothing to help your garden in the next planting season! See tip #2 if you’re thinking about this route. 😉
Tip # 4 - Covers. Prepare for cold! Grab some frost cloths and extend your season through winter. Since we have such a mild winter, you can continue to grow throughout winter. Of course it will be slower growing, but you can still provide your family with some fresh veggies!
Tip # 5 - Watering. Watering needs decrease in the winter if plants are established. Due to the decrease in light and drop in soil temperature, your plants will grow at a slower rate and need a little less attention. About every couple days will do in the winter. Fertilizing can also be less often as well.
Bonus Tip - Winter sowing. Some seeds you can plant now and they’ll pop up in spring! Do a little research though! Some of your plants like a cold stratification period (some people place seeds in their fridge) in order to germinate. Make sure you pay attention to which ones need a little cold to produce better!!
Fall planting has to be one of my favorite planting times. I love the cooler temps and the knowledge that when it’s freezing in February, I can still head out to my garden and harvest something!
Have you ever planted a fall garden? I’d love to know! And as always, if you’re not sure where to start, give me a call and we’ll get you growing this fall so you too can enjoy the bounties of fall/winter gardening.
