Planting for Fall

Often veggie gardens are considered to just be for spring and summer, but did you know that you can start growing edibles in the fall?

There are some advantages for fall planting. The ground is warm and ready to for direct sowing,  aphids and slug pressure is less, the weather is cooler and more comfortable for gardening, and days are still long.

Many of the same plants that are started in the spring, such as the leafy greens and Brassicas are able to be planted in the fall.

Here’s what you need to know…

👉🏾checked your first frost date for your location. For me (in Brooklyn), it’s around October 20th. 

👉🏾 know your climate zone. Im in zone 7. This will help you select the plants that thrive in your zone. 

👉🏾 read your seed packets for maturity dates. There is always useful information on back of the packages.

👉🏾 add 2 to 3 weeks to the maturity date as a cushion of time. This is called the “Fall Factor.”

👉🏾next, do the maths

Based on your first average first frost date, plus 2-3 weeks for “the fall factor”, figure out how many days you have to grow until the plant’s maturity. Then select seeds and sow accordingly.

There is a large variety of crops that prefer cooler weather.  In the Northern Hemisphere, these are crops like: Brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, collards, kale, spinach, mustard greens, asian greens, winter squash, beans, and peas. 

Root vegetables and rhizomes: turnips, parsnips, carrots, beets, ginger, garlic, shallots, and onions are frost resistant. They will be stored in the ground, and then continue their growth in late winter / early spring as temps rise.  Be sure to add a heavy layer of mulch before winter’s frost.

Secession crops like: arugula, radish, baby greens, lettuce, beets, which grow quickly and can be directly sowed every 1-2 weeks.

Flower bulbs (or seeds) such as Poppies, Hollyhocks, Bachelor buttons, crocus, and much more are planted to over winter and bloom in early spring to feed the pollinators.

If you have an existing garden, look for space by removing old or non productive crops, perform a soil tests, add compost, and amend the soil for depleted nutrients such as NPK. 

Here are a collection of seed packages that can be used for your fall garden shop now.

Happy Gardening!

🤔 have a question? Find me @bbwondergarden.

written by: Beebe Okoye
photography by: Beebe Okoye