Although we still have some time left to enjoy these hot sunny days, fall is on the way and now is the time to think about your fall crops! If you’re planning on a winter harvest, which you totally should because fall gardening is super easy, you want to be sowing seeds now or thinking about which starts you’ll be wanting so you can map out your area.
Lettuce, Cabbage, Kale, Spinach, Chard, Collards, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussel Sprouts, Carrots, Radishes, Kohlrabi, Onions, Perennial Herbs, and more are all perfect to be planted coming into the end of August and beginning of September. These veggies will utilize the heat now during their growing period and love the fall temperatures during their production period.
Once planted, mulch your garden areas using a coarse mulch to help with water retention during the hot times and insulation once it cools down. Vegetables like Carrots, Brussel Sprouts, and Kohlrabi actually get better when harvested after a frost or two due to increased sugar content, so don’t be concerned that early frost will destroy all your efforts before you can enjoy them. These veggies prefer the cooler temperatures and can totally take on the frosty mornings and damp days of fall in the Willamette Valley.
Even though the weather gets dreary pretty fast here in the valley don’t let it discourage you from continuing with your vegetable gardens. So many things can be grown through the fall, with little to no maintenance even. Think about it, with all the rain we get here Mother Nature is pretty much taking care of your veggies for you, until they’re ready to picked that is. Don’t let this part of the year go to waste, utilize it for fresh and natural (and Free!), produce from your own yard.
We are currently stocking fall and cool weather veggie starts now, come by and chat with our experts for more details.
Happy Gardening!