Gardens aren’t just for summer. In fact, a fall garden is a great way to boost your winter food supply. A fall garden gives you one last chance to grow your favorite produce and plants, so you can be sure that when the first snowflake hits you are ready. Look below at some helpful tips for your fall garden, so you can be sure your garden is one that is successful and bountiful.
Tips for Your Fall Garden
1. Choose plants that thrive in cooler weather.
Some plants do better than others when the weather gets cool. Your leafy greens such as collards, lettuce, and kale will continue to do well. Broccoli and cauliflower also love cooler temps and will do well when planted in a fall garden. Now is also the time to try for one last batch of fresh herbs!
2. Practice succession planting.
In order to enjoy your harvest before winter, try succession planting. This means planting another set of seedlings in early August. This way by early October your crops will be ready for picking. Some of your leafy greens can be planted as late as the end of August, and be harvested all the way through November.
3. Stock up on the mulch.
Mulch will act like a winter coat for your plants. You can use shredded leaves if you wish, and just build them up around the base of your plants. This will protect the roots and offer some warmth and support the plant needs as weather changes.
4. Be prepared to cover your plants.
Have bedsheets or plastic bags on hand to cover plants if a cold spell moves in. Plants should be covered if there is a threat of frost, as one morning of frost can ruin the entire crop. Keep these items on hand so if you see a threat coming in, you are prepared to protect.
5. Take it easy on water and food.
Your plants won’t be eating as quickly once the weather gets cooler, so take it easy on the water and plant food. Check your soil to make sure it is dry before watering again. If you notice any yellowing in the plant foliage, you may be overwatering.
6. Don’t neglect your other garden tasks.
You might be tired after a long season of gardening, but don’t give up those garden tasks just yet. It is still important to weed and do all you can to keep pests out of the garden. Bunnies will still be hungry too and getting desperate for food, so be sure you take the time to protect your plantings. While you won’t see a ton of bugs at this point, you should still watch for any that could be lingering and pick them off as soon as you see them.
As you can see, tending your fall garden can be simple and enjoyable. The end result can be plenty of the produce you need to get through the winter months. So don’t let shorter days and cooler temperatures discourage you from planting your fall garden. Consider these tips and see how simple it can be.
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