I know, I know … it’s only September. But in my part of the world we have had some very nice days followed by some very cool evenings that let us know that fall is soon coming, and just look at that gorgeous autumn sunset in the above photo! The weather got me thinking: fall provides some decision making opportunities for the garden. You can either a) close up shop for the year until spring arrives again, or b) plant some cool-weather crops and continue gardening into winter. I decided to do a little research about both and share what I came up with. Read on!
When I say “close up shop” for the year, I mean stop growing vegetables. But, in reality, there’s work to be done even if you decide to put your garden to rest for the season. You can do a lot in the fall and winter months to prep your garden for the next season, such as pulling up dead weeds and crops and adding a layer of compost to your gardening area. The Old Farmer’s Almanac has an extensive list of things you can do at their website.
The other option is, of course, to grow some cool-weather crops and continue your gardening pleasure. I have never grown these types of plants, so I had to look up what could even be grown when planting as late as September. In some parts of the country, September planting may be too late, but here in Maryland I could still plant any of the following and get something going … I mean growing:
• Kale
• Spinach
• Broccoli
• Peas
• Beets
• Carrots
That’s a lot that I could still plant, and a lot of my favorite vegetables!
If you are curious what you could grow in your little (or large) plot in the fall, check your zone at the USDA’s plant hardiness website. Then mosey on over to the Veggie Harvest website’s calendars to see a great visual of what you could plant in September and October in your area.
I’m curious to know what people’s plans are for their fall and winter gardens. Let me know in the comments!
