I know, I know! It’s still hot. But now is the time to start planning (and planting) your fall garden. By planting our cool-season crops now while it’s still summer, it gives them a better chance of growing and producing before the coldest of our winter slows them down.
A late summer planting is especially crucial for the cruciferous vegetable family. Here in central Texas broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and cabbage thrive when planted in late August into September. Late winter plantings on the other hand have a tendency to run into early spring heat which causes them to stop producing edible heads and start bolting (going to seed).
September is also the time to start successively seeding carrots, beets and radishes along with leafy greens. Carrots and beets can be planted through October and again in late winter. Radishes and many greens can be planted throughout the winter for long-term harvest. Don’t forget to thin your root crops along the way so that they can develop properly. The thinned veggies, including carrots, are great in salads or mixed into a stir-fry.
September and October are also the months that we start thinking onion family. While onion sets are typically set out in January/February, we plant the rest of the “bunch” in early fall (less than a month away!).
Garlic cloves are planted individually, broken off from the head and planted pointed side up. Shallots are also planted this way. Bunching onions can be dug and divided this time of year if you have a perennial variety, such as Egyptian multiplying onions, or you can plant them by seed. I tend to over-plant and I then cut or chop up any left over at the end of the harvest season, and freeze for later use. Even my onion tops freeze well, and then I have them to toss into soups and gumbo the rest of the year.
Strawberries are also best planted in the fall. By planting now we can get them established and producing before the worst of the heat hits next spring and summer. Make sure to give your strawberries mid-late afternoon shade. They will do fine right now, but when summer does hit next year they will need it.
Planting a late summer garden for fall and winter harvest has its challenges. Make sure you have some shade cloth or frost cover on hand to shade the fragile seedlings and transplants from the extreme heat. Lay soaker hoses along the new plants and cover with pine straw or something similar to keep the new roots cool and the moisture from evaporating from the soil.
Fertilizing with organic fertilizers helps to feed the vegetables slowly and deliberately and should not burn when applied in the late summer/early fall heat. You can also water in new plants and seeds with a solution including seaweed or Superthrive to encourage stronger growth and faster root establishment during this super-hot time of year.
We are lucky to be able to garden year round here in Texas. While that sometimes means our labor comes at a time when we would prefer to be on the porch or hiding in the air conditioning, toughing out the heat pays off in spades in the form of fresh vegetables even in the “dead” of winter. Happy fall gardening everyone!
If you have a question for Chris, Amanda or Mick , send it via email to iathyme@yahoo.com. Or mail a postcard to It’s About Thyme: 11726 Manchaca Road, Austin, TX 78748
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