Summer harvest might be in full swing, but it’s not too late to start thinking about planting a fall garden. Plant some cool-weather plants now and you’ll be nibbling on fresh veggies for Thanksgiving.
Summer harvest might be in full swing, but it’s not too late to start thinking about planting a fall garden. Plant some cool-weather plants now and you’ll be nibbling on fresh veggies for Thanksgiving.
Plan your timeframe
If planting from seed, count back from your first average fall frost date to calculate when you should plant. Ideally 12-14 weeks is a good frame of reference, but this all depends on what you want to actually grow. Some plants like leaf lettuce or spinach grow quicker. Purchasing small seedlings is also an option if you’ve already missed the optimal timeframe for planting a fall vegetable garden from seeds.
Soil preparation
Some summer vegetables like tomatoes might still be growing strong, but clear out any plants that are no longer producing. Add additional soil or mulch to replenish soil nutrients and get it ready for another round. After planting seeds, make sure to keep the bed moist early on so that the seeds are able to germinate. Once the seedlings are established, add a layer of mulch with either lawn clippings (don’t do this if your grass is full of weeds or has chemical treatment), crumbled leaves, or a store-bought package of mulch to keep weeds at bay and add help lock in soil moisture.
What to plant
(Consult with information for your planting zone)
Lettuce
Spinach
Kale
Collards
Swiss chard
Turnips
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Cabbage
More about growing a fall garden.
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