Fall Vegetable Gardening

By gardener | Dec 31, 2007

Many varieties of vegetables can be planted in midsummer to late summer for fall/winter harvests. Succession plantings of warm season crops, such as corn and beans, can be harvested until the first killing frost. Cool season crops, such as kale, turnips, mustard, broccoli, cabbage, etc., grow well during the cool fall/winter days and withstand light frosts. Timely planting is the key to a successful fall vegetable garden.

To determine the time to plant a particular vegetable for the latest harvest in your area, you need to know the average date of the first killing frost and the number of days to maturity for the variety grown. The formula below for determining the number of days to count back from the first frost will help determine when to start your fall garden.

Number of days from seeding or transplanting outdoors to harvest
Number of days from seed to transplant if you grow your own
Average harvest period
Fall Factor (about 2 weeks)
Frost Tender Factor (if applicable)
_______________________________
= Days to count back from first frost date

The Frost Tender Factor is added only for those crops that are sensitive to frost (corn, beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, squash), as these must mature 2 weeks before frost in order to produce a reasonable harvest. The Fall Factor takes into account the slower growth that results from cooler weather and shorter days in the fall, and amounts to about 2 weeks. This time can be reduced from 2 to 5 days by pre-sprouting seeds. Almost any crop that isn’t grown for transplants can benefit from pre-sprouting. Sprout seeds indoors, allowing them to reach a length of up to an inch. Sprouted seeds may be planted deeper than normal to help prevent drying out, and they should be watered well until they break the soil surface. Care should be taken not to break off the sprouts when planting them.

Dry soil may make working the soil difficult and inhibit seed germination during the midsummer period. Plant fall vegetables when the soil is moist after a rain, or water the area thoroughly the day before planting. Seeds may be planted in a shallow trench to conserve moisture. An old-time trick for germinating seeds in midsummer is to plant the seeds, water them in well, and then place a board over the row until the sprouts just reach the soil surface; at that time remove the board.

Fall plantings often have few insect problems, as they avoid the peak insect activity period of midsummer. However, some insects, such as cabbageworm and corn earworm, may be even worse late in the year than in summer; vigilance is still required! Avoid some pests and diseases by planting crops of different families than were originally in that section of the garden.

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