Depending on where you live you might just be bringing in your summer harvest and can’t believe that some of us are already planning for fall. But fall is on it’s way. How do I know? Because we can go outside to play at 7pm in the evening and it be a pleasant 90ish degrees instead of waiting until 8pm.
I’ve also heard rumors of fall like activity happening – like geese flying south – around the blogsphere.
And so while it might still be 100+ degrees here each day, I know fall will sneak up on us before too long and I’ll be wishing I had done a little more prep work in my garden.
Planning a fall garden is very similar to planning a spring garden, you have to count days and worry about frost. But here’s the catch, you count from your average first frost and count backwards. Don’t know your average first frost date? Go here to find out – well, if you live in the States.
After you figure out how many days you have, just make sure you plant varieties that will mature in that many days. Here’s some great short season and cold weather crops, lettuce, kale, Swiss chard, spinach, broccoli, cabbage and carrots. You can also overwinter garlic and, in some climates, onions. You might need to cover them with straw but a lot of people do it.
Because I’m in a climate that has very mild winters I’m planning on planting all of the above plus tomatoes, beans and quinoa. I’m hoping to use some hoop houses to put over the tomatoes to keep them safe from frost.
If you need hoop houses, Five Little Homesteaders has a great tutorial on how to make some. Also if you subscribe to MomPrepare you’ll get a free ebook on making raised gardens that incorporate hoop houses.
I recently joined Seeds of the Month club and I get 4 packs of non-GMO seeds each month. The first month I got 8 packs. It’s like opening a present each month since I have no idea what seeds are coming. It’s pretty cool, especially for only $3.11 a month.
I’ve also ordered some seeds from Baker Creek Seed Co. They sell heirloom seeds. They sent me some tomato seeds to try this spring and as you know none of our tomatoes did well – including the hybrid plants we bought at the nursery. The heirloom plants are still hanging on and I’m hoping that when it cools down we’ll get a few more tomatoes. The ones we had were amazing.
I been writing lots of notes from this year in my gardening notebook about what worked and what didn’t.
The Gardening Notebook is going to be on sale the next couple of weeks for 40% off. From August 19-31st you can use the promo code HARVEST to get a great discount. I promise you, that it will help you keep track of all those things you want to remember about this year’s garden.
What plans are you making for your fall garden?
This post is shared at Barn Hop, Natural Living Monday, Mostly Homemade, Backyard Farming Connection, Tuesday Garden Party, Mountain Woman Rendezvous, Frugal Days, Stainable Ways, Raising Homemakers, Simple Living Wednesday, Simple Lives Thursday, The Self Sufficient HomeAcre, Home and Garden Thursday, Little House in the Suburbs, Small Footprint Friday, From the Farm
Nancy Wolff
Wednesday 28th of August 2013
I can plant a few things for fall harvest here in Vermont but it gets pretty cold around here come November! thanks for sharing your post on the HomeAcre Hop, hope to see you again tomorrow! Nancy HomeAcre Hop
Angi Schneider
Thursday 29th of August 2013
I bet it does get cold around November. Do you use hoop houses or a greenhouse?
Kathy A Delightsome Life
Wednesday 28th of August 2013
I have to admit I haven't planned yet! I have had so very many other things - you've sparked my desire to get out there and to prepare the garden for fall planting- Dearest would be happy :)I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,Kathy
Angi Schneider
Thursday 29th of August 2013
It's hard to get into fall planting when it's still 100 degrees outside...
Small Footprints
Friday 23rd of August 2013
Thank you for this. I do container gardening on my patio and I've tried to do fall planting with very little success. But I've never really calculated out the time. And I appreciate your advice on what to plant ... I'm going to give it another try! :-)
Angi Schneider
Monday 26th of August 2013
You're welcome. I hope it works out for you. Let me know how it goes.
daisy
Friday 16th of August 2013
Sounds like a busy time. That seed of the month club is a great idea!
Angi Schneider
Friday 16th of August 2013
I'm enjoying the surprise of each month.
Kathi
Friday 16th of August 2013
Thank you for the reminder, I always forget to plant for fall! It's cooler this year too, pleasant enough to go out and do it.~ Kathi @ oakhillhomestead.com
Angi Schneider
Friday 16th of August 2013
You're welcome. I usually plant too late and the seeds have a hard time germinating. I'm hoping to not do that this year. It's been a funny summer weather wise in some areas.