If you have not had a chance to plant that fall garden, don’t fret; there is still a small window of opportunity to get it done. Depending on which region of the country you live in, this is the perfect time to sow some of those cool weather vegetables and ready them to harvest before the deep freeze sets in.
The key is to not delay and to choose those vegetables, in particular salad greens, pretty much the same as what you choose for spring planting.
I find that raised beds are particularly good for this as they provide some protection from freezing and they are also easier to attach protective garden cloths for those low dips as we head into winter. I live in the Midlantic section of the country so my garden season lasts well into November to early December before there is a real threat of freezing.
So where do you start? It’s simple.
Sow your seeds directly into the ground and if you are concerned about the temps, you can always drape them with garden cloth overnight to make sure they sprout.
Make your selection. Some of the better choices includes, salad greens, mustard and turnip greens, Swiss chard, chives, green onions, kale and spinach. To make sure, check your seed packets to get a gauge on how long from plant to harvest. Normally I find that mesclun greens and arugula, for example, are usually ready to begin harvesting with ten to fifteen days. The greens are tiny, but tiny is when they are most succulent.
Welcome the rain. Very much like spring, this time of year is usually more wet so let nature do its thing. Be sure to check each morning to monitor progress. If it is dry in your area, make sure to keep the soil moist but not soggy.
Check the weather reports. This is especially important if you live in higher elevations as the temperatures usually begin to dip much lower overnight.
Invest in garden cloth and hoops. These are such great tools to have on hand as they not only protect your vegetables, but they also aid in keeping out animals that are beginning to forage for food.
Plant extras for the freezer. Make use of the extra space in your garden this time of the year to plant enough to put away in your freezer for the coming winter months. I always plant extra collards and kale. It is always nice to have things from your garden on hand for soups and stews that are a welcome during the frigid winter months.
Enjoy!
Because life should be good. How good is that…
Deigratia,
Bonnie
