The spring and summer months often take center stage when it comes to gardening. Beginner and seasoned gardeners alike prefer warmer weather when growing new crops, whether due to more sunshine, nurturing rains or soft, workable soil.

Once fall comes around, gardening can be a bit more complicated than usual. For one thing, there’s less sunshine, and temperatures aren’t often reliable. Together, this combination can make it difficult for plants to thrive.

That said, planning months ahead for an autumn harvest can keep gardening mishaps at a minimum.

Foods that grow best in the fall

Choosing crops that are suited to fall growing conditions is the first step to planning a fall garden. Not all fruits and vegetables can withstand tough soil and colder temperatures in the fall, and it’s best to avoid them altogether.

A standard fall harvest often includes all sorts of brassicas (cruciferous vegetables), tubers and cold-tolerant fruits. Here are some of them:

1. Blueberries – Most berries grow best in the summer, but some varieties like blueberries can tolerate the cooler temperatures of fall.
2. Apples – Apples are cold-tolerant fall fruits that can survive well into the winter.
3. Pears – These mild-tasting fall fruits are perfect for people who aren’t big fans of sweet apples.
4. Cranberries – Cranberries can tolerate frost quite well. That said, it’s best to harvest them before winter to avoid frost damage.
5. Winter squash – Despite its name, winter squash is a wonderful fall crop best used in soups and meat dishes.
6. Pumpkins – These massive bright orange crops take center stage in the fall.
7. Leeks – Leeks make for a milder and more versatile alternative to its more pungent relatives, such as onions and shallots.
8. Brussels sprouts – Fall is a great season to plant tough brassicas like Brussels sprouts.
9. Potatoes – Potatoes are a cool-season vegetable that most gardeners expect to harvest just before winter starts.
10. Parsnips – This root vegetable tends to grow sweeter the more it is exposed to colder temperatures.
11. Broccoli and cauliflower – The tough heads of vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower can withstand moist soil and cooler weather.

Planning a fall garden

Now that we’ve got all the usual fall crops covered, it’s time to take a look at some helpful tips and other important things to consider when planning for a productive fall garden.

Start seeds indoors

Cold-tolerant fall crops are best sown at least 12 to 14 weeks before the first frost date. If the soil is still too warm toward the last few weeks of summer, start seeds indoors where the temperature is a lot cooler. Once the seedlings are about three-weeks old, re-plant them outdoors.

Nourish the soil

Pack as much nutrients as possible into the soil using compost or organic fertilizer made from biodegradable materials. If you grew some spring and summer crops in the garden prior, make sure to clean the area as much as possible. Pull out leftover roots, stalks and other bits and pieces cluttering the soil.

Use mulch

Fall crops grow best in cool, moist soil. To prevent moisture in the ground from evaporating, spread organic mulch over the garden beds you plan to use. This protective layer of mulch can also help regulate soil temperature and suppress weed growth.

Water often

You should also keep seedlings moist to speed up the germination process. Fall crops, in general, are more amenable to moist soil than most spring and summer crops.

Prepare for pests

Crickets, grasshoppers and other common garden pests are most active in the fall. That said, a good rule of thumb to remember is that pests won’t stick around if the soil is rich and fertile. You can also opt to use fabric covers or fine nettings for guaranteed protection against insect damage.

Take advantage of unique gardening opportunities in the fall with these helpful tips and ideas.

Learn more about fall harvest foods and gardening at Homesteading.news.

Sources:

EverydayHealth.com

SimpleBites.net