Now, as the temperature is going down, clever ones are beginning to plant vegetables which grow well in the cooler weather. I call them smart because they are saving way more money than you are. We all know what kind of wimpy, distasteful and high priced veggies we’re going to get from grocery stores or local farmers during the cold season. So why not grow your own organic vegetables with fall gardening this time?
Fall vegetables are actually the ones which grow best during the cold weather. But the timing of plantation is crucial as each plant will take a firm number of days to reach full maturity. We don’t have to worry much about the leafy greens as you can harvest them early, but the flowering vegetables need attention as you have to make sure that maturity happens before the initial freeze in late fall.
Prepare your Fall Garden for Planting
Do a quick soil test to gauge an accurate pH level of your soil. If it is above 6, it’s good! If not, add 1 pound of lime per 100 square feet of garden. This will quickly correct the pH for growing fall vegetables. Remove or dispose of any dead or infected plants which won’t be needed any longer.
Add 2 inch of rich manure and rotate, but make sure that seeds are not spread out all over your garden. If you have any space in your garden that won’t be used for plantation until next spring, cover it with black plastic.
Some delicious vegetables which can be grown in the fall season are listed below.
- Broccoli
- Brussels Sprouts
- Spinach
- Cauliflower
- Peas
- Lettuce
- Carrots
- Cabbage
Along with these, all types of leafy greens can also be grown in fall. All of them are frost tolerant and can sustain freezing temperatures. Cabbages grow huge but live short until early spring. Salad greens types can be planted and harvested at different stages. Bush beans can be grown in fall but they need at least 2 months to mature, so planting needs to be done in July or August.
Lettuce and other leafy greens need planting when it is still a little warm. They boom in colder nights so after planting them warm, watch as they mature when the temperature drops. Harvested lettuce heads will be full of nutrition and actually taste sweeter because of the cold temperature.
Carrots can also be grown throughout the winter and can be pulled out whenever needed. Garlic also makes a great fall vegetable. It can be planted late August and can be enjoyed all winter.
Fall Container Garden
Now, if you are the laid back kind and all the stalking, pruning and fuss of backyard gardening in chilly winters bother you too much, you can achieve great results with the help of Fall Container Gardening.
Some of the best veggies that grow in containers are greens and herbs. Some of them are listed below:
Arugula
These greens are really easy to grow and are so vigorous in taste. Arugula is expensive when bought from the market, so growing arugula at home is both economical and flavorsome. You can use it in salads, pizza, and sandwiches.
Garlic
Garlic is used so frequently in the kitchen that growing it at home is a must! It needs to be planted deep in a container to flourish. You can plant garlic cloves in a container placed inside your kitchen, near the window sill. You can even use just one clove of garlic and it will multiply. You can never get tired of these beauties!
Spinach
Spinach a favorite when it comes to flavored salads. It is easy to grow in containers, but remember, it cannot survive in extreme cold. A little less harsh winter is tolerable for this green.
Kale
It’s a very healthy and nutritious green which thrives in fall and winter. It can easily be grown in containers at home and in the kitchen. But just like spinach, it can survive a mild cold climate, but if it’s freezing out there, bring the container inside.
Turnips
Turnip is a great root vegetable choice for harvesting in fall. It can survive in deep soil containers which provide enough warmth to flourish. Turnips can be used in different oven roasted dishes and mixed vegetables.
So many choices, no? Grow all your seasonal vegetables in your own organic garden. There is nothing better than freshly grown organic foods right from your own garden. It’s healthy, natural, and full of organic goodness!
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Source: Nourish the Planet
References and Related Articles:
- The Basics of Growing Broccoli
- 5 Tips for Building an Organic Vegetable Garden in Your Backyard
- Growing and Eating Arugula – Georgia Organics
- pH tester soil pH and moisture meter Orp/ pH electrode TECPEL
- 7 Greens Detroit Salad Co. – Fresh Salads – Farm to Fork
- Fall vegetable garden | Vegetables to grow during fall | MNN – Mother Nature Network
- Vegetable Plants For Your Fall Vegetable Garden In Our Online Store! – The Tasteful Garden
- Grow Your Best Fall Garden Vegetables: What, When and How – Organic Gardening – MOTHER EARTH NEWS
- 8 Vegetables to Grow in Fall Container Gardens – Organic Authority
- Fall Vegetables vs Summer Vegetables
- 3 Fall Herbs to Grow in Your Backyard Garden
If I plant clover in the fall will that inrich my soil
for spring garden when I plow it in for spring planting?
I will just dig it in & plant veggies.
Yes, clover will help you increase the nitrogen level of your soil