What I'm Learning About Fall Gardening

Every August I start thinking about the fall garden. My planting chart from the cooperative extension office says I can start fall planting in August, but I have to admit that August just doesn’t feel right, because it’s too hot. On the other hand, I’ve learned that waiting too long isn’t good, because I never know what kind of winter we’re going to get. Some years our first frost is mid-October, other years it’s closer to December 1st. Some years our winter temps are mild enough to grow winter greens for us and winter pasture for the goats. Other years everything freezes out. So I’m always in a quandary over when to plant.

Recently I read an article at the Sow True Seed website, “Fall Gardening Know How: Root Crops.” It shed some light on my gardening dilemma, explaining things I’ve observed but couldn’t figure out why. I’ve been contemplating this as I clear out space to plant a winter garden.

According to the article, cool weather crops need warm soil to germinate and begin to grow, but prefer cooler temps as they mature. So if the soil temperature remains above 70°F (21°C) at that time, the roots become tough and woody and the plants bolt (go to seed).

This explains why some years my fall garden barely grows but goes right to seed. It happens in spring too. If we have a cool spring I get a harvest. If we skip spring and go right into summer, I get seed instead. So even though I plant according to the suggested dates for my garden zone, our unpredictable seasons don’t always cooperate.

This year I decided to stop planting according to the calendar, and start planting according to soil temperature. I bought a cheap soil thermometer and started monitoring my garden soil.

I checked it almost daily throughout August and early September, but even under the mulch it remained around 84°F (29°C). Finally, after the remnants of Hurricane Florence passed through, the thermometer read below 80°F (26.6°C).

That’s when I started planting. Hopefully by the time the plants are starting to mature, the soil will be just right for them.

Speaking of Florence, our only casualty was my popcorn.

I have a lot of planting to do this year, but between the garden and pasture I won’t get finished until October. Even so, I’m hoping for a productive winter garden.

Is anyone else planting a fall garden?