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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.

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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

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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

Select Crops

Half-hardySurvive light frost

– Beets

– Cauliflower

– Chard

– Chinese Cabbage

– Endive

– Kohlrabi

– Lettuce

– Mustard

– Peas

– Rutabagas

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HardySurvive heavy frost

– Broccoli

– Broccoli Raab

– Brussels Sprouts

– Cabbage

– Collards

– Kale

– Radishes

– Spinach

– Turnips

Overwintering Crops

�Broccoli Raab

�Chicories

�Garlic

�Kale

�Leeks

�Multiplier Onions

�Spinach

• Leeks

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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.

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Seed Starting DateShort-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): __14__

56 to59

I can sow seeds between 56 and 59 days before the first frost – about Oct. 19-26 for Arlington

Counting back from Oct. 19-26 the dates to sow are about Aug. 22 to Sept. 1 if you want to use transplants.

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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

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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.

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….then,

1 ½ inches of water

Per

1 ½ weeks

Keep soil moist for

young transplants. Water

lightly and frequently at

first, and….

Seeds to SowDirect seed:

� Beets

� Broccoli raab

�Chinese cabbage

�Cilantro

�Collards

�Endive

�Kale

�Kohlrabi

�Lettuce

�Mustard greens

�Spinach

�Turnips

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Planting Schedule

10-12 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

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Planting Schedule

6 to 8 weeks before hard frost:

�Sow spinach.

�Plant garlic, shallots, multiplying onions.

�Sow half-hardy vegetables under protective cover.

Protected GardeningMoving a zone South

• Floating Row Cover– Provides 4-10

degrees of protection

• Cold Frame

• Hoop House

• Greenhouse

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Herbs for the Cold Frame

• Chives

• Oregano

• Sage

• Thyme

References and HelpArticlesGrisak, Amy, “Second Acts.” Organic Gardening, Aug/Oct 2009, pp 58-

63.

Pleasant, Barbara, “Grow Your Best Fall Garden.” Mother Earth News, August/September 2009, pp 31-35.

Books.Bubel, Nancy. The New Seed Starters Handbook. Emmaus, Pa: Rodale

Press, 1988.InternetWilson, 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”, http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-334/426-334.html

Straw, Allen, “Vegetable Planting Guide and Recommended Planting Dates” http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-331/426-331.html