By the time late July and August roll around, many gardens are bug eaten, tired from the sun, and on their last legs. Don't throw in the towel yet! I know you are tired of lugging around a hose, getting eaten up by mosquitoes, fighting with fungus, beetles, sweat in your eyes...the list goes on. I am here to tell you that Fall is the SECOND Spring! Especially for us in warmer zones, fall is a beautiful time to have a garden and spend time outdoors.
Why Plant a Fall Garden:
Fall Gardens are started in Late July- September for most. This means the soil is nice and warm so seedlings germinate quickly and young plants take off. By the time the plants are mature and producing, the heat is slowing down. This means less watering and sweating for you. Hallelujah!
In a fall garden you spend WAY less time fighting off munchy bugs. Many pests, like squash borers, have all ready completed their lifecycles by the end of July.
As the temperatures cool, fungal diseases like powdery mildew, decrease as well. Most warmer zones, like us, can even plant a second round of some summer crops! Less bugs + Fungus + More Homegrown Veggies? Sign us up!
Our Top Tips for Fall Gardening:
Getting your Vegetable Garden Started:
To get started, we recommend pulling any plant that isn't producing fruit, is bug eaten, or just plain fried up. After you have taken them out, spread a thin layer of compost or worm castings and gently fold into your soil.
In this list we are including plants that can be directly sown into the soil. However, planting them in trays and transplanting them once they have lost their seed leaves is 100% recommended as well. Whatever you have the best luck with!
*Important Note:
The maturity dates for plants(found on the back of seed packets) are from SEED to maturity. If you are buying starter plants from your local nursery, you can plant up to 6 weeks later, as most of these plants are between 4-6 weeks old. The most important thing to remember is to check you growing zone and make sure you have enough time for each plant to reach maturity BEFORE your first frost plus some time for harvesting.
Find your growing zone here:
Fall Vegetables You Can Plant in July- August:
Zones 3-4
Average first frost date September 15th
Spinach
Lettuce
Green Onion
Radish
Kohlrabi
Turnips
Zones 5-6
Average first frost date October 1st
Beets
Broccoli
Brussel sprouts
Carrots
Cucumbers
Kale
Snap Peas
Radishes
Spinach
Summer Squash
Winter Squash
Turnips
Pumpkins (if planting starter plants only. If planting seed, plant in June or early July)
Zones 7-8
Average First Frost Date November 15th- December 1st
Beans
Beets (After August 15th)
Brussel Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Collards
Cucumber
Field Peas
Kale
Lettuce
Peppers
Radishes (Late August at earliest)
Spinach
Summer Squash
Winter Squash
Pumpkins
Tomatoes (early August)
Zones 9-10
Average First Frost Date November 25th- December 13th (Often your plants can be covered for the short cold snaps)
In zones 9-10 this is really when your garden season begins as it is FINALLY cooling off!
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Celery
Cucumbers
Eggplant
Okra
Field Peas
Peppers
Pumpkin
Summer Squash
Winter Squash
Swiss Chard
Tomatoes
Turnips
Here's to a THRIVING Fall Growing Season!
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