Fall Vegetable Gardening

Transcription

1 Fall Vegetable Gardening Kirsten Conrad Buhls, Extension Agent Arlington VA Virginia Cooperative Extension and Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia Helping residents of Arlington and Alexandria producing their own affordable, healthy food. 1

2 What Do We Mean By Fall Gardening? Planting crops for harvesting before frost Planting crops that can overwinter for spring harvesting Planting cover crops to add nitrogen and minimize weeds in spring Protected gardening in a cold frame, greenhouse or under row covers Why Plant in the Fall? Fewer harmful insects Fewer weeds Extended use of garden space Fresh crops for a longer time 2

3 Select Crops All are cold hardy & some are quick maturing Cole crops: broccoli, cabbage, collards, cauliflower, kohlrabi, Brussels sprouts Greens: leaf lettuce, spinach, arugula, Asian greens, mustard, herbs Root crops: Rutabagas, beets, carrots, turnips, parsnips Half-hardy Survive light frost Beets Cauliflower Chard Chinese Cabbage Endive Kohlrabi Lettuce Mustard Peas Rutabagas 3

4 Broccoli Broccoli Raab Hardy Survive heavy frost Brussels Sprouts Cabbage Collards Kale Radishes Spinach Turnips Overwintering Crops Broccoli Raab Chicories Garlic Kale Leeks Multiplier Onions Spinach Leeks 4

5 Fall Days & Temperatures Cool nights slow plant growth. Vegetables take longer to mature. Days grow shorter, less sunlight energy for plants. These environmental conditions add sugar to cole crops. Lettuce and spinach will not bolt. 5

6 Seed Starting Date Short-Day Factor First frost date for your area Days to maturity, germination, transplant Add 14 days for Short Day Factor Formula: Days to maturity + Days to germinate + Days to transplant + SDF=Days to plant before frost Sample Calculation For Sowing Spinach Seeds Days to germination: 7 to 10 Days to maturity: 35 Short Day Factor (SDF): to59 I can sow seeds between 56 and 59 days before the first frost about Oct for Arlington Counting back from Oct the dates to sow are about Aug. 22 to Sept. 1 if you want to use transplants. 6

7 Preparing the Site Remove waste from previous crop. If ground is dry, give it a thorough soaking. Work compost into top few inches of soil. Transplants Start transplants or purchase for: Broccoli Brussels sprouts Cabbage Cauliflower Collards 7

8 4/3/2013 Putting out Transplants Seedlings need gradual exposure to direct sunlight. Will benefit from light shading for the first few days. Keep them soaked. Row Cover Protection Throw a bed sheet over row cover for a few days to provide shade. Row covers deter insects and larger critters. Row covers can extend season. 8

9 Keep soil moist for young transplants. Water lightly and frequently at first, and..then, 1 ½ inches of water Per 1 ½ weeks Direct seed: Beets Broccoli raab Chinese cabbage Cilantro Collards Endive Kale Kohlrabi Lettuce Mustard greens Spinach Turnips Seeds to Sow 9

10 Getting Seeds to Germinate and Grow Soil is hot and dry. Clay soil forms hard crust. Seeds need cooler temperatures and moisture to germinate and grow. Slow growing beets and carrots will suffer setbacks if soil is dry. Seeds Become Dormant at High Temperatures. The maximum soil temperature for germinating lettuce and spinach is 70 degrees F. The optimum temperature for germinating peas is 70. For many other vegetables it is 80 degrees F. 10

11 Sowing Seeds Water soil before sowing. Sow in the late afternoon so germination will begin overnight. Direct Sow Plant seeds slightly deeper. Depth may be 1 ½ to 2 times deeper than spring. Can cover seeds in furrow with potting soil or vermiculite. Keep soil cool and moist. Cover seeded area with burlap, newspapers, or boards. Can shade soil, or use light mulch. 11

12 Germinating Seeds Another tip is to pre-germinate seeds. Soak seeds overnight in a moistened paper towel enclosed in a plastic bag. Do not soak longer or delicate seedling parts will be damaged in planting. Interplant Use shade from existing plants. Sow lettuce, carrots, arugula, beets, collards. 12

13 Mustard greens on north side of tomatoes Planting Schedule Last plantings of fast growing warm season vegetables-snap beans. Order garlic. Start cabbage family seedlings indoors. Sow lettuce, cilantro, rutabagas, radishes. Soak or pre-germinate parsley seeds for sowing. 13

14 Planting Schedule weeks before hard frost: Set out transplants Direct sow beets, carrots, collards & more lettuce, radishes, Planting Schedule 8 to 10 weeks before hard frost: Sow Asian greens, arugula, turnips, spinach, mustard More lettuce, radishes, beets, collards 14

15 Planting Schedule 6 to 8 weeks before hard frost: Sow spinach. Plant garlic, shallots, multiplying onions. Sow half-hardy vegetables under protective cover. Protected Gardening Moving a zone South Floating Row Cover Provides 4-10 degrees of protection Cold Frame Hoop House Greenhouse 15

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19 Herbs for the Cold Frame Chives Oregano Sage Thyme References and Help Articles Grisak, Amy, Second Acts. Organic Gardening, Aug/Oct 2009, pp Pleasant, Barbara, Grow Your Best Fall Garden. Mother Earth News, August/September 2009, pp Books. Bubel, Nancy. The New Seed Starters Handbook. Emmaus, Pa: Rodale Press, Internet Wilson, Carl, Front Range Food Gardener Blog, staff Horticulturist with the Colorado State University Extension office in Denver, CSU Extension web site. Diane Relf, Fall Vegetable Gardening, Straw, Allen, Vegetable Planting Guide and Recommended Planting Dates 19