I always thought that if you wanted a garden, and a harvest, you had to get everything planted in the beginning of Spring. If you missed the Spring deadline, you had to wait until next year. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Not only do you have plenty of opportunities to plant from Spring through Fall, depending on what you are trying to grow, Spring and Summer may not be the best times to grow it. Fall is a great chance to have a whole new garden variety to harvest.
The first week of August I direct sowed a variety of peas and beans which, to my surprise, have already started peaking through the dirt with some lovely little seedlings. The cleaning and planting continued this past weekend. I added more varieties of peas and beans to the mix. Last year I introduced myself to Dinosaur Kale so I planted some again and I added a couple things I’ve never eaten before but am excited to try, like kohlrabi and parsnips. Now, I just need to look up some recipes so I know that to do with them (assuming I successfully bring them to maturity).
Still on the list of seeds to be planted are carrots, beets, radishes, and turnips. I’ve ordered a variety of radish seeds that I have never tried before, or even knew existed. Turnips have always been one of those vegetables that I’ve been curious about but never tried so another new flavor is on the horizon, and can’t wait. I had a few more planned but I am off to a bit of a late start so I’ll be happy with what I have. There are still plenty of peppers and tomatoes coming out of the summer garden and some promising melons that make my mouth water ever time I see them on the vine.
So, as you can see, it’s nowhere near too late to have a garden this year. There are plenty of plants that do quite well, and actually thrive, in the cool Autumn air. Just make sure you look up the first expected frost date in your air and which plants will die with the frost, which can take a light frost, and which can go through a heavy frost. Then get out your calendar, count back the days and plant according to the time you have left.