What is Fall Gardening?
Sucessional plantings of warm season crops for harvesting up to frost
Late summer plantings of cool season crops that can tolerate a frost
Fall plantings of very hardy crops for spring harvesting
Protection of crops for extended harvest
Why plant in the fall?
Fewer harmful insects
Fewer weedsExtended use of
garden spaceFresh crops for a
longer time
Cole crops: broccoli, cabbage, collards, kale cauliflower, kohlrabi, Brussels sprouts
Greens: leaf/head lettuce, spinach, chard, arugula, Asian greens, mustard, cilantro
Root crops: rutabagas, beets, carrots, turnips, parsnips, radishes
Cool season crops
Overwintering Crops
ChicoriesGarlicKaleLeeksMultiplier OnionsSpinach
• Leeks
Fall conditions
Cooler days and nights Shorter daysSlower rate of crop maturationSome crops become sweeterLettuce and spinach will not bolt
Transplants
Transplants are commonly used for:
Broccoli Brussels sproutsCabbageCauliflowerCollards
Setting out transplants
Seedlings need gradual exposure to direct sunlight Will benefit from light shading for the first few days Keep them moist!!
Direct seeding
Beets Carrots Chinese cabbage Cilantro Collards Endive Kale Kohlrabi Lettuce Mustard greens Spinach Turnips
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PCAiH7B6RCQ/Ti7YYXVrYHI/AAAAAAAAEAc/BHBtiXDm_Bw/s1600/carrot+seedlings.jpg
Timing of seeding for Fall Crops
Identify average first frost dateIdentify days to maturity from seed/transplantAdd 14 days for Short Day Factor
Days to plant before frost date = days to germinate/days to transplant + days to maturity + SDF
Sample Calculation For Sowing Spinach Seeds
• Days to germination: 5-7• Days to maturity: 35• Short Day Factor (SDF): 14• 54-56 days
Sow seeds about 8 weeks before the first frost (~Oct. 15)
Mid August
Row Cover Protection
Throw a bed sheet over row cover for a few days to provide shade.
Row covers deter insects and larger critters.
Row covers can extend season.
Organic mulches can provide shade
and reduce evaporation
~ 1 month later
Getting seeds to germinate in the late summer
Soil is often hot and dry in the late summer.Daily watering is often necessary to establish
fall crops. Carrot seedlings will perish if soil is not kept
moist.
Some seeds will not germinate at high temperatures.
The maximum soil temperature for germinating lettuce and spinach is 70-75 degrees F.
For most vegetables, the optimum temperature for germination is 80 -90 degrees F.
Pre-germinating seeds
Soak seeds overnight in a moistened paper towel enclosed in a plastic bag.
Do not soak longer than a day or 2 or delicate seedling parts will be damaged in planting.
Direct seeding in the fall
Plant seeds slightly deeper. Depth may be 1 ½ to 2 times deeper than spring.
Can cover seeds in furrow with potting soil or vermiculite.
Keep soil cool and moist. Cover seeded area with burlap, newspapers, or boards.
Water soil before sowing and after.
Interplanting
Use shade from existing plants
Sow lettuce, carrots, arugula, beets, collards
Mustard greens on north side of tomatoes
What to do right now
Last plantings of fast growing warm season vegetables-snap beans, cukes, summer squash
Start cabbage family seedlings indoors Direct seed carrots, beets, chard, kale,
collards…Soak or pre-germinate lettuce or
spinach seeds for direct seeding
Fall Planting Schedule
10-12 weeks before frost:
Direct seed beets, carrots, collards lettuce, radishes…
Planting Schedule
8 to 10 weeks before frost:
Direct seed Asian greens, arugula, turnips, spinach, mustard…
Direct seed second planting of lettuce, radishes, beets…
Set transplants for cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower…
Planting schedule
6 to 8 weeks before frost:
Direct seed spinach, lettuce, arugula, radishes...
Sow vegetables under protective cover.
Season extension
• Floating Row Cover– Provides 4-10
degrees of protection
• Cold Frame• Hoop House• Greenhouse
What should you do??
You can pick them off by hand