Starting Your Fall Garden
One of the misconceptions about growing your own food is it can only be done in the spring. Well, let me encourage you back into the garden this fall! Let’s start a Fall garden, now!
Right now is your time to start your next round (or first) of brassicas indoors under a grow light or next to a window (preferably one facing south). Brassicas are your leafy greens such as lettuce, kale, brussel sprouts. They prefer cool weather and tend to bolt in temperatures above 85 degrees. Start indoors to protect them from the summer heat and move them out in 3-4 weeks or after they have grown 3-4 leaves and the weather is a little cooler.
If you started a spring garden you’re likely seeing a harvest now and production is slowing down outside. Now is the perfect time to direct sow a few more seeds in place of your spring crop to have another harvest in late fall. Direct sow some more beans, cucumbers, peas, radish, broccoli, collard green, rutabagas, kohlrabi, and turnips to name a few. Plus throw in some of your favorite herbs. There is still time and many herbs are perennials and do well wintering over.
My favorite fall crop to grow however is one that is sure the center of most everyone’s fall gatherings in one way or another! You guessed it, it’s the Pumpkin! On top of my pie pumpkins, I’m shrinking it back and growing Jack-be-Little Mini Pumpkins on a trellis. But, not just any ol’ trellis.
Earlier in the season, I started sunflower seeds of different varieties including ones that grow tall, strong stems. This year, those stems are the trellis to my mini pumpkins! Don’t worry, if you don’t have this non-traditional trellis already growing in your garden, let your pumpkin roam free on the ground, or allow the minis to trellis a nearby gate, fence, or pole!
Now you have a few ideas on what to grow in your fall the garden you are ready to lace up those running shoes and head to the nearest seed store! As long as you start by the first week of August you will be set up for a successful fall garden.