In the Garden
Ralph Purkhiser, Purdue University Master Gardener
The steamy days of the last half of July may seem like a strange time to be talking about cool-season crops, but if you want to have a successful fall garden, now is the time to get started. Just as one plants seeds in winter to have plants for summer crops, it is now time to plant seeds for fall crops. Cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower may be planted now to grow transplants that will be set out in September and will mature in October and November. These crops will withstand some frost and many people find that these vegetables taste better when they mature in cooler weather.
There is still plenty of time to seed many other crops and the reasons to do so are many. By planting a fall garden, you may find that you have avoided the life cycle of some of the major insect pests. Imagine growing green beans without the presence of bean beetles. Our early frost date is not until October 10, and in recent years, our first frost has come much later than that. Look at the seed package and note the “days to maturity” statement. If that number is below 90, then there is adequate growing season to get a crop.
With root crops, the window is even larger. Since the root is in the ground, and the ground remains warm long after the air begins to cool, root crops may often be harvested well into December. My grandfather used to say, “Plant turnips on the twenty-fifth of July, wet or dry.” There is a great incentive for planting turnips, even if they are not your favorite vegetable. They may be grown either for the greens or for the root. Even if left unharvested, turnips make a good green manure crop. Just let them stay in the ground and till them up in the spring. The roots help break up clay soil and the decaying turnip will add organic matter to the soil.
Carrots and parsnips are also good fall crops. Like the cole crops, the cool weather tends to sweeten these root crops. In fact, many people say they do not like parsnips until they have gone through a freeze. Radishes take fewer days to mature than most crops, and fall radishes tend to hold their crispness better than those planted in the spring. There are even radishes that have been specifically bred for fall planting, and some of those “winter radishes” may be stored and enjoyed for months.
Of course, the traditional fall garden crops are the salad greens. Besides turnip greens, one may grow leaf lettuce, mustard, kale and most of those trendy oriental greens. Just like with beans, note the number of days it takes to mature to see if there is enough growing season for the crop to mature. Even if there is not enough time for a mature crop, you may plant most of the greens to harvest early as micro-greens. If you have ever purchased micro-greens in the supermarket, you know that they command a hefty price. For the price of a few packets of seeds, you will be rewarded with a lot of micro-greens.
Fall planting is not just for vegetables. There is still ample time for some annual flowers to mature to blooming stage. I have been out pulling weeds and clearing some areas to throw out some of the zinnia and marigold seeds I have saved from last year. I am planning a century celebration at Sandhill Gardens for late September, and those annuals should be blooming just in time.