Mid-summer can be a tough time for any gardener. It is hot, plants can be stressed, bolting, and weeds still trying to take over.
But don’t give up yet! You are only half-way through your gardening season!
There is still so much time to try again if you failed, sow out another crop of your favorite vegetables, and continue to conquer those weeds!
What is a Fall Garden?
A fall garden is exactly how it sounds – a garden in the fall. The only difference between a spring garden and a summer garden is that you aren’t planting warm weather crops in preparation for your summer garden, only cool weather crops.
Depending on your zone, you generally want to start prepping for your fall garden mid-summer. So for us, that is August.
Fall Garden Bed Prep
Unless your entire garden completely failed, you DO NOT want to remove all of your plants. A lot of them will continue to grow and produce such as herbs, tomatoes, celery, flowers, etc.
Remove Spent Plants
Remove any remaining summer crops that are past their prime, but only remove what has finished producing. This can be anything that bolted or died back. This includes pulling out spent plants, roots, and any weeds that have taken hold.
Clean up Debris
Rake up any fallen leaves, stems, or other plant debris. This will help reduce the chances of pests and diseases overwintering in your garden.
Test & Amend Soil
Test your soil to check its pH and nutrient levels. Fall is a good time to add any necessary amendments like compost, lime, or fertilizers, as these will have time to break down and enrich the soil before spring.Work in a generous amount of compost or well-rotted manure to boost your soil health.
Crop Rotation
Rotate your crops to prevent soil depletion and reduce the risk of pests and diseases. Try to not plant the same type of crop in the same spot where it was grown earlier in the year. If you can’t rotate, be sure to really amend the soil for those crops.
Plant a Cover Crop
If you don’t plan on planting a fall garden, this is a great time to plant a cover crop to help improve soil structure, add organic matter, and prevent erosion. It will naturally die back in the winter providing you with nutrient rich soil come spring!
What to Plant for a Fall Garden
Leafy Greens
- Spinach: A quick-growing green that thrives in cooler weather.
- Kale: Hardy and cold-resistant, kale can even improve in flavor after a light frost.
- Lettuce: Choose cold-tolerant varieties like romaine or butterhead.
- Swiss Chard: Continues producing until heavy frost and adds a pop of color to your garden.
Root Vegetables
- Carrots: Sow them in late summer for a fall harvest. They can sweeten after a frost.
- Beets: Easy to grow and can be harvested for both their roots and greens.
- Radishes: Quick to mature, making them perfect for successive plantings
- .Turnips: Another dual-purpose crop, turnips can be harvested for both roots and greens.
Brassicas (Cabbage Family)
- Broccoli: Tolerates cooler temperatures and can produce into the fall.
- Brussels Sprouts: These thrive in cooler weather and taste sweeter after frost.
- Cauliflower: Requires consistent watering but grows well in fall conditions.
- Cabbage: Ideal for fall planting, as it can withstand cooler temperatures.
Legumes
- Peas: Plant early enough so they mature before the first frost. Snow peas and snap peas are good choices.
- Fava Beans: These are hardy and can withstand cool temperatures.
Herbs
- Cilantro: Prefers cooler weather and grows quickly.
- Parsley: A biennial herb that can survive mild frosts.
- Chives: Hardy and easy to grow, chives add a mild onion flavor to dishes.
- Thyme: A perennial herb that can be harvested well into fall.
Alliums
- Garlic: Plant in the fall for a summer harvest the following year.
- Onions: In some locations some varieties can be planted in the fall for a late spring or early summer harvest.
- Shallots: Similar to garlic, shallots are planted in the fall for harvesting the following summer.
Tips for a Successful Fall Garden
Plant Timing: Pay attention to the maturity dates of your chosen crops and plant them early enough to reach maturity before the first hard frost. Many of these plants can be started from seed directly in the garden.
Protection: Consider using row covers or cold frames to protect your plants from early frosts and extend your growing season.
Watering: Cooler weather often means less evaporation, but it’s still important to keep the soil evenly moist for germination and healthy growth.