How To Grow Vegetables All Year Long
Most of us think of planting in the Spring and harvesting in the Fall. And, for the majority of crops, that’s right. But species vary, climates vary and indoor container gardening often can be carried out year ’round.
For some crops it is helpful to plant in the fall because it helps enrich the soil for the following spring. And certain lettuce varieties can be planted late in the summer and still be harvested before the first frost.
When to plant depends on the species and your climate zone. Get the best estimate possible on when to expect the first frost. 30-day weather forecasts, Farmer’s Almanac and others are good sources of information.
Before planting new seeds or vegetables be sure to clear the area of any spring or summer crops. Leftovers decay and encourage bacteria growth. Spread a couple of inches of new compost or mulch over the area. Turn the top layer of soil up and water well, then let it rest for a day. Since in most areas, you’ll receive more rain (and sometimes snow) in the fall, be sure you have well draining soil.
Many varieties of vegetables will thrive if you take these preliminary steps.
Beets do well if planted before the beginning of August. If you intend just to harvest the tops, the date can be extended to the beginning of September. Try some Winterkeeper.
You can transplant broccoli until about mid-August. It will continue to thrive in most climates until Thanksgiving, when it can be harvested for a great addition to the holiday meal. In some warmer zones it may even last as late as Christmas. Italian broccoli can be planted over Winter in areas with no snow and will produce shoots until Spring.
Fall cabbage planting is common in many climate zones. Jersey Wakefield is often seeded in the first couple of weeks of September and will winter over well. Then it can be harvested in late Spring.
Carrots, since as a root vegetable the food actually grows under the ground, will last through just about anything. If you plant by mid-July or even in the Fall, you can harvest in Winter, provided there’s little snow on the surface. Very cold temperatures will freeze the ground, making digging almost impossible.
Endive does well if planted by mid-July. A light mulch will keep it protected from frost and it can be harvested in winter. Water drainage in the fall and winter months is much slower than in summer so it’s important to make sure the endive doesn’t get too wet.
Romaine can be sown in July, and then harvested in the fall. Since it’s low to the ground and very leafy, it’s important to keep it from being excessively wet. Fungal growth is still possible in fall, even though temperatures are cooler at night.
Plant some peas in early November, then harvest them the following June. That way you get vegetables to eat while you are still planting your other species.
How do you choose the best seed companies when planting your garden? Find out how to make sure you get the best seeds for starting your garden. Visit http://www.vegetablegardeners.com for more advice and to get your free copies of my reports on starting a garden
