Tips for Planting a Fall Garden
Everything in my gardens here in Mid-Coast Maine are growing like mad these days. And with highs in the upper 70’s in the forecast for this weekend, it’s hard to believe that 10 weeks from now, we’ll be in the middle of September.
A time when most people will be starting to pack up their garden tools for the year.
This year though, more than others it seems, I’m really interested in taking advantage of our growing space to extend the gardening season as long as possible before the freezing temperatures arrive.
Last night I planted another round of green beans {with a harvest date expected around the second week in September} and next week I’ll plant another packet.
In fact lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, bok choy, parsnips, carrots, beets, radishes and peas are all on my “fall planting” list as well. I’ll be starting those seeds in the garden pretty soon too.
It seems like prices on real food are at a premium in the grocery stores these days. So the way I see it, if I can save a few dollars {okay, in some cases hundreds of dollars} by growing vegetables in my own backyard, why wouldn’t I?
If you’ve never thought about growing vegetables in the fall before, or if you’re like me and simply want to shave a few bucks off your grocery bill, below are some of my tried and true fall planting tips to help you extend your gardening season this year.
With some careful planning on your part now, you’ll be able to reap the rewards of all your hard work well into the fall months. And if you want to go the extra mile and set up row covers or a little hoop house, even longer. 🙂
Here’s a couple of tips to get you started:
Start cool season plants like lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, kale, brussels sprouts, kohlrabi and cauliflower indoors now. It might still be too hot to get the seeds to germinate {or the plants to thrive for that matter if you live in a warmer area}, so start them indoors in a climate controlled environment.
I like to use my grow lights, but this time of year, you’ll probably have some luck with a bright window too {so long as the seedlings don’t get too hot.}
Once they are established, you can plant them outdoors, just make sure to water them a little more religiously and plant them a little deeper than you would in the spring to keep their roots from getting too hot.
If you have the space, there is still time to plant cucumbers, summer squash, snap beans, etc. for a late harvest. You can directly sow these ones, as they will germinate even in higher temperatures. Seriously, no one should have to BUY a zucchini this time of year! 🙂
As the weather starts to cool down–say September-ish or 10-12 weeks before your average 1st frost, you can direct sow Arugula, Chinese cabbage, bok choy, lettuce, turnips, spinach and radishes.
More Tips for Planting a Fall Garden
Right now and again in early August, is a great time to plant another round of carrots.
As you harvest or remove spring/summer plants, keep crop rotation principles in mind for planting your fall garden. For example, fall beans and peas would go nicely in a place that might need a little nitrogen boost in the soil–as they both fix nitrogen to the soil.
Consider starting a countertop herb garden indoors by the end of the month. You’ll likely have good light with the long daylight hours and the seedlings will be thriving by the time the days shorten.
Lots of veggies get better after the first frost: parsnips, carrots, spinach, kale, leeks, etc. can survive several frosts before they will peter out–if they ever do.
Use Row Covers!
Extend the length of your fall gardening season by building a hoop house or covering your plants to protect them from any early frosts. This year we’ve invested in row covers and wire support hoops to extend the growing season in our gardens here in Maine. I think it will be interesting to see just how long we’ll be able to harvest fresh vegetables this year.
And lastly, look for seeds that mature in 30-60 days, they’re ideal for fall gardens.
Will YOU be planting a fall garden? If so, what will you be planting this year and what have you had success with in the past? We all want to know. 🙂
Keep Calm and Garden On.
~Mavis
Diana says
I’ve sorted out what I’m going to plant for the fall and am making up the schedule to sow seeds. Because I’m in GA, we have a longer growing season, so most of the time I don’t start the Fall seeds until August.
I do mostly container gardening (it’s easier on my knees) using the 28g galvanized tubs from Tractor Supply and cardboard boxes wrapped in chicken wire (check out the videos on those by YT channel Plant Abundance). About 2/3 have been emptied of summer crops and I’m now prepping them for fall.
Fall is pretty much the only time of year we can grow any of the brassicas and lettuces/kale/spinach. It gets too hot, too fast in the spring and they bolt before maturing. I look forward to my fall harvest every year.
Carrie says
This is so encouraging. I live in Washington (your old town) and my garden has not done much with the crazy spring and start of summer we have had.
We just got back from 2 weeks of vacation and there are a few things growing (tomatoe and zucchini starts, 2 sunflowers, chives, 4 bean plants) there only things ready are radishes and peas. We laughed that my mixed lettuces (planted 3 times this spring) were Mico greens before our trip. Now only 1 variety is growing and 1 bolted….not sure the others even grew.
I am going to try and plant again and see if finally anything will grow. Beans,greens, and carrots for sure. While in town I am also going to see if there are any starts left. I hate paying for them but at this point they seem like the only hope.
Margo says
My fall garden will include beets,peas, chards and kale. I have onions and chives that should continue to grow throughout the fall. Also planning to plant potatoes, garlic, spinach, radishes, carrots, and collards. I’m going to start a medicinal garden this year with some echinacea and borage and later add some chamomile and other good stuff. My fall garden isn’t likely to get planted until mid-September when it will hopefully cool off enough.
LindaT says
I want to plant beets after harvesting my broccoli. Has anyone ever transplanted them after starting indoors?
Wynne says
Oh, yes–that works fine. I like to multi-sow beets like Charles Dowding does and then transplant them out. I still have a ton in the fridge from the spring round.
Sue says
106 heat index in central Alabama.
I grew spinach, carrots, radishes and late lettuce in the fall and over the winter by covering when needed.
I have a mix of herbs to plant outside as soon as it cools a little.
Your garden is so lovely and green. Hard to breathe it’s so hot.
J in OH-IO says
This post was very encouraging for everyone to try, try again for the fall…and to not give up. I might now plant some more herbs, beans, carrots, and beets…(I had already given up planting those because I got my tomatoes in so late…) This gives me some hope to try to plant some for a fall harvest. I am in awe of how fast your plants and garden grew just from being planted a few weeks ago! Amazing!
J in OH-IO says
Also, squash bugs get my zucchini every year- might try to plant it for the fall and see how it does! Agreed, I do not like to have to buy it in the grocery!
Sharon says
Mavis have you read the four-season harvest by Eliot Coleman? I think you would love it. And he is up your way I believe. I did it this past year it was fantastic.
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes! It’s a great book. 🙂 We’ve even been to his farm. https://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/four-seasons-farm-eliot-coleman-barbara-damrosch/
Debi says
Lots of good tips for fall gardening… thanks!
Melinda says
Thank you for this! I’m still learning, and this is incredibly helpful.