A fall garden is an opportunity to cultivate a variety of cool-season vegetables, flowers, and herbs. Autumn in SETX provides optimal growing conditions. There are fewer pests and diseases, cooler growing environment, and robust soil temperature for strong root growth (image courtesy: blog.backtotheroots.com).
By: John Green, Certified Texas Expert Gardener, Orange County, TX
Another week has passed with insignificant rainfall (in most areas) which means plants, shrubs, and trees need our assistance and require supplemental watering (meaning it’s time to drag garden hoses around the yard…again) as dry conditions persist. While not a new occurrence, seasonal drought conditions are again at play, and some locales are experiencing significant rainfall deficits. According to the US Drought Monitor website, Jefferson County, TX is categorized as “abnormally dry”, and Orange County, TX is stated to be experiencing a rainfall deficit of approximately 10-inches below average for this time of year. Our local weather patterns frequently change, seasonal trends shift, and each season introduces a new set of challenging conditions for gardeners and plants. Fortunately, daytime high temperatures are slowly waning (slightly) which makes planting fall flowers and cool-season vegetables enjoyable!
Planting
October is the ideal month for planting cool-season vegetables. Begin by choose cold-hardy vegetables like tatsoi, Pak choi, Chinese mustard, broccoli, kale, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, lettuce, spinach, various greens, and Daikon, which are but a few vegetable types. Gardeners should base planting time on first/ last frost dates.
First frost date for our locale is typically the start of December (1st week) but it can occur sooner (light frosts occurring in November is not uncommon) and the last frost typically occurs at the end of February-ish. Gardeners, note that frost dates are always ‘moving’ targets and associated time intervals approximate and my suggestion is to be prepared by having row covers readily available…just in case!
Plant in October for a fall and winter harvest or in late winter/early spring for a spring crop. For late summer plantings, provide afternoon shade and keep seedlings moist until the weather cools. Fall plantings can be direct seeded outdoors: keep seedling moist until germinated.
Plant seeds in late summer for a fall harvest, typically 6 to 8 weeks before the first fall frost date to ensure plants have time to mature. For late-season planting, consider hardier greens like kale, collards, and winter lettuce, as they can be planted nearer to the frost.
Vegetable Types
Root vegetables- Carrots, beets, radishes, Daikon, parsnips, turnips, rutabaga
Leafy greens- Kale, tatsoi, Pak choi, Chinese mustard, spinach, lettuce, Swiss chard, arugula, radicchio, Endive.
Brassicas- Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kohlrabi, Brussels sprouts, collard greens, rutabaga, .
Others- Peas, onions, garlic, leeks.
Planting Hints
Direct- Sow root vegetables and quick-growing greens like radishes, spinach, and arugula perform well when directly sown into the ground.
Transplants- Germinate seeds for plants like broccoli and cauliflower indoors to get a head start or purchase from a local feed store, Mercantile, or garden center.
Shelter- Provide early protection of seedlings using a ‘hoop’ house or lightweight, breathable covering as a barrier to protect seedlings from frost and to extend the growing season.
Mulch, mulch, mulch- Use mulch to keep the soil moist and cool until daytime temperature changes (becoming cooler) when planting in late summer. Shade seedlings when daytime temperatures are elevated.
Water- Newly planted seeds and seedlings require plenty of water, so water deeply to encourage strong root growth and development.
Vegetables- Planting seeds (cost effective) or transplants (increased cost per plant) for cool-season crops.
Alliums- Plant garlic cloves and onion sets for a harvest next year.
Flowers- Sow seeds for hardy annuals like sweet peas and wildflowers, or plant transplants of pansies, snapdragons, and calendula.
Bulbs- Spring-blooming bulbs like amaryllis, paperwhites, and hyacinths can be planted for future color.
Pest Management
Monitor for pests and fungal diseases- There are pests which remain active and that might lurk nearby but there are far fewer pests than during spring and summer. Use organic, non-toxic products which work on a variety of insects and mites, which are “bee-safe”. Continue to watch for fungal issues, like blackspot on roses. There are garden sprays which are formulated to control common diseases like powdery mildew and leaf spot.
Mulches
Start with compost, before adding a secondary mulch. Adding a 1 to 2-inch layer of compost will supply a steady nutrient supply to plants. Organic mulches like compost, straw, shredded leaves, and shredded hardwood are good options since they not only suppress weeds and retain moisture but improve soil structure as they decompose.
Compost- By far the best overall mulch choice as it functions as both a mulch and a soil enhancer. Compost enriches the soil with nutrients, improves drainage, increases aeration, and promotes beneficial soil microbes. Compost must be replenished annually to maintain effectiveness.
Straw- A classic and inexpensive mulch choice, which is light, airy, and insulates well. Excellent for keeping fruits such as melons and strawberries clean by preventing contact with the soil and insulates plant roots during weather extremes. Use “clean” rice, wheat or oat straw, rather than hay, which contains weed seeds. Straw can be a fire hazard and might attract rodents.
Hardwood- Shredded hardwood is a long-lasting, durable mulch which gradually adds nutrients and improves soil aeration. It is excellent for suppressing weeds and retaining moisture. Locally sourced options are available, such as the Texas native shredded hardwood. This type of mulch temporarily binds nitrogen in the soil as it decomposes which can be countered by adding a nitrogen supplement before applying.
Leaves- Shredded leaves are an abundant source of mulch during the fall season. Leaves enrich the soil as they decompose into nutrient-rich leaf mold, improving soil structure and providing a habitat for beneficial insects. Shred leaves with a mower to prevent matting, which will block water and air penetration. Lighter leaves may blow away in windy conditions.
Pine straw- The interlocking needles make this a lightweight, attractive option that resists being blown away. Pine needles decompose slowly and do not mat, allowing excellent water and air penetration. Pine straw is a weak weed barrier unless applied very thickly (6 to 8-inches).
Coarse organic mulches like shredded bark or wood chips are excellent long-term solutions, as they break down slowly and help aerate the soil. Be mindful of application depth and apply organic mulches 1 to 2- inches deep for vegetables and avoid piling mulch directly against the stems of plants, which can encourage rot.
Until next time fellow gardeners, let’s go out and grow some ‘cool-season vegetables’ for a greener and more sustainable world, one ‘tasty’ plant at a time! Gardening questions answered: jongreene57@gmail.com.
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