Sunday, September 23, 2012

10 Vegetables to Grow in the Fall

   Some people have asked, "What can I grow in the fall to winter months in my garden?"  Well here are 10 very easy to grow veggies that you can enjoy in the cool season and sometimes into the first snow! As you plant and grow please let me know how your crops are doing! I trust everyone has had a great growing season so fare?

By: The Redeemed Gardener
Broccoli - Broccoli seedlings should be planted 10 weeks before the first frost date in your area. This means planting them during the last hot summer days so it's important to mulch around them to help keep the ground cool and moist. Feed the plants 3 weeks after transplanting into the garden. Use a low nitrogen fertilizer. 70 days to maturity.

Brussels Sprouts – Brussels sprouts are ideal for fall gardens because they really taste best when allowed to mature in cool weather. In my mid-South garden, summer comes too quickly to grow them in the spring garden. Set the plants out in mid-summer. It will take about 3 months before the sprouts appear. They are ready for harvest when they are firm and green. 90 days to maturity.

Cabbage – Plant seedlings 6 to 8 weeks before the first frost. If the heat of summer is still intense when it's time to plant in your area, give the young plants protection from sun. Cabbages are heavy feeders that require fertile soil rich in organic matter and consistent moisture. 70 days to maturity.

Cauliflower - Plant seedlings 6 to 8 weeks before the first frost. Cauliflower can be tricky to grow. Rich soil and consistent watering are the keys. Fluctuations in temperature, moisture and nutrients can cause the plant to "button" or produce small, undersized heads. Blanch the heads by tying the outer leaves together over the heads when they are about 2 to 3 inches across. This keeps them from turning green and becoming bitter. 60 days to maturity.

Kohlrabi - Kohlrabi is a member of cabbage family, but it looks and tastes similar to a turnip. The bulbous edible portion grows just above the soil line. Shade young plants from summer sun. 40 to 60 days to maturity depending on variety.

Lettuce – Sow seeds in late summer. Provide the seedlings with consistent moisture and shade from the afternoon sun. 45 to 60 days to harvest depending on type and variety.

Mustard Greens – Sow seeds 6 weeks before the first frost. Seeds will germinate in soil that is 45 to 85 degrees F. Keep the soil consistently moist to encourage rapid growth and tender greens. 45 days to maturity.

Radish – Sow seeds for radishes 4 weeks before the first frost. Winter varieties such as China Rose, mature slower, grow larger and store longer. They should be sown about 6 weeks before the first frost. Sow the seeds evenly so you don't have to thin them. No feeding necessary, but soil should be fertile and well drained. They are quick to mature so check them regularly. They are ready to harvest as soon as they are of edible size. 25 to 50 days to maturity depending on variety.

Rutabaga – Sow seeds 12 weeks before the first frost. In regions where summer is long and hot, wait to sow seeds until night time temperatures are consistently around 50 to 60 degrees F. Rutabagas are a cross between cabbage and turnip. Although they are suitable for early spring gardens, they seem to have the best flavor when grown in fall. Keep the soil consistently moist to prevent roots from forking. 90 days to maturity. 

Spinach – Sow seeds 5 weeks before first frost date. The short days and cool, moist weather of fall is even better for spinach than spring. An established spinach crop will last well into winter and can survive temperatures down into the 20s. Spinach prefers very fertile soil to encourage rapid growth and tender leaves. 45 days to maturity.



 "Don’t say, “How could God forgive me for that!” (whatever that is). Don’t think that God’s forgiveness is a begrudging forgiveness and with that thought deny some of God’s glorious love. And don’t think that God’s promises are only for other people. If this is how you are thinking, you must realize that your own sins, no matter how big, are not bigger than God’s pleasure in forgiveness." 
Edward T. Welch

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16 comments:

  1. Perfect timing. Thank you! ~Becky from Step Into Our Garden.

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    1. You are so welcome, hope you have much success!

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  2. I am growing purple knuckle peas, rattlesnake polebeans, and collards this fall. Then in the winter I am trying spinach and lettuce in my planter boxes that I can convert into mini greenhouses. Don't you just love gardening!

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    1. I do love gardening! And those are some more great ideas to plant Lisa! Happy Gardening to you this fall!

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  3. I have lettuce and kohlrabis growing for my fall garden. I did put in some radishes but they mostly bolted with no bulbs. Sigh.

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    1. The radishes that do that sometimes get to much nitrogen. Where they close to your lettuces?

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    2. Close to the beans which would do the same thing wouldn't they? Hmmm.

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  4. I am eagerly awaiting cooler weather and the start of fall crops!

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    Replies
    1. I have to get out there and clean some stuff as well!

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  5. Good post. I've been getting serious about what to get going for a winter garden. Thanks for the encouragement!

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    1. You are welcome. I think fall gardening is much easier because its usually wetter and much cooler, lol!

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  6. Thanks for this list. I'm sharing it with hubby. We planted fall peas and green beans this year. It was our first year to plant a fall harvest.

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    1. You will find if you use row covers you can get more life out of them!

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  7. We are going to try to grow cabbage, lettuce, radishes, and rutabagas this fall. Thanks for the inspiration!

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