We are still in summer, but fall is on the way! The days are getting shorter, nights are getting longer, and it is time to plan your fall harvest for the year. There are many ways to keep your vegetable garden thriving even in cooler weather, and it is time to start planting!
Why plant a fall garden?
Planting fall crops allows you to continue your love of gardening into the fall. Some vegetables actually are able to produce better in the fall. With the cooler, moderate temperatures, it means less watering and work involved for you. The warm soil is great for germination, so the soil will be ready and your seeds will grow quickly when you begin planting in August.
Vegetables that can be planted in the late summer for a fall harvest:
- Kale
- Collard Greens
- Parsley
- Bush beans
- Summer squash
- Turnips
- Cucumbers
- Spinach
- Carrots
- Radish
- Broccoli
- Cilantro
Consider your climate
Living here in the Midwest, it can be difficult to grow a lot of vegetables that thrive in both summer and fall. If you live in a warmer part of the country, you will be able to plant a wider array of vegetables that can easily survive mild fall weather conditions!
Allow your crops to thrive
Vegetables that mature quickly are the best crops for fall. Consistent soil moisture is one of most important aspects of successful fall vegetable crops. Planting in the late summer means constant hot days that will dry out your seedlings. The moisture in the soil will protect the seeds from the heat.
Also, placing mulch around root crops in the cooler weather will help retain soil warmth so your vegetables will continue to grow throughout the fall season.
Even in the Midwest you can have crops in the fall
If your lettuce plants are wilted, the beans stopped flowering and the squash surrendered to viruses, it is time to take them out of the ground and plant something new! August is the right time to begin planning and planting your vegetables for fall. Don’t just stop in the summer. Enjoy your home-grown, ripe vegetables after the summer and into the fall and winter seasons!