Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

TIM"S TIPS

FALL GARDENS

There is still plenty of time to make a garden this year. Many people tend to overlook the fall garden, which can be a very valuable addition to a family's food supply.

Many of the cool season vegetables can be produced in the fall with very good results and some of the rapidly maturing, warm season vegetables can also be grown. The leafy greens, such as mustard, kale, collards, spinach and turnips (for greens), normally can be grown in 40 to 60 days. Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and Chinese cabbage can all be grown very well in the fall, but it is necessary to start seed for transplants around mid-July for southern Arkansas.

To determine the time to plant a particular vegetable for the latest harvest in your area, you need to know the average date of the first killing frost, which is around November 10, and the number of days to maturity for the variety grown. Choose earliest maturing varieties for late plantings.

The formula below for determining the number of days to count back from the first frost will help determine when to start your fall garden. The last planting date for vegetables in a fall garden can be calculated as: number of days from seeding or transplanting to harvest, plus fall factor (2 weeks), plus frost tender factor, if applicable (3 weeks), equals days to count back from first frost date, November 10.

Frost tender factor is added only for those crops that are sensitive to frost (corn, beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, squash, etc.), as these must mature 2 weeks before frost to produce a reasonable harvest.

Fall factor takes into account the slower growth that results from cooler weather and shorter days in the fall, and amounts to about two weeks. This time can be reduced from two to five days by pre-sprouting seeds. Almost any crop that isn't grown for transplants can benefit from pre-sprouting.

Sprout seeds indoors, allowing them to reach a length of up to an inch. Sprouted seeds may be planted deeper than normal to help prevent drying out, and they should be watered well until they break the soil surface. Care should be taken not to damage the sprouts when planting them.

Use the following timetable when planning your fall garden. The number of days it takes to grow to maturity is listed immediately following each vegetable.

Tomatoes (using plants), 75-80, and sweet corn, 80-85, should have been planted July 15; if not then they must be planted immediately.

Irish Potatoes, 90-100, should be planted by August 1.

Lima beans, 7-75; brocooli (using plants), 70-80; carrots, 70-75; collards, 70-75; cucumbers, 50-60; southern peas, 70-75; and summer squash, 55-60, should all be planted by August 15.

Cabbage (use plants), 65-70; cauliflower (using plants), 60-70; and Chinese cabbage, 70-75, should be planted by August 20.

Bush beans, 50-60; beets, 60-70; kale, 60-65; and Swiss chard, 60-70, should be in the ground by September 1.

Lettuce, which takes 50 to 55 days to maturity, should be planted by September 10.

Mustard, 50-60; spinach, 40-50; and turnips, 50-60, must be planted by September 15.

Radishes, which only takes 25 to 30 days to reach maturity, should be planted by September 20.

Dry soil may make working the soil difficult and inhibit seed germination during the mid-summer period. Plant fall vegetables when the soil is moist after a rain, or water the area thoroughly a day or two before planting.

Cover the seeds about twice as deeply as you do in the spring. An old-time trick for germinating seeds in mid-summer is to plant the seeds, water them in well, and then place a board over the row until the sprouts just reach the soil surface; at that time remove the board.

Plastic will also work, but must be completely anchored so that the plastic does not blow away and/or the soil does not dry out underneath. Plastic, especially black plastic, may cause the soil to get too hot.

An organic mulch on top will help keep soil cool. Mulching between rows can also help keep soil cool and decrease soil drying. In severe hot weather a light, open type of mulch, such as loose straw or pine needles may be placed over the seeded row. This must be removed as soon as seedlings are up so that they receive full sun.

Starting transplants in a shaded cold frame or in a cool indoor area is another possibility.

Once young plants are established, a heavier mulch may be used to hold moisture and control weeds. Irrigate when necessary so the young plants have sufficient moisture.

Summer and fall plantings often have severe insect problems, as they occur during peak insect activity.

Some of the best quality vegetables are produced during the warm days and cool nights of the fall season. These environmental conditions add sugar to sweet corn and crispness to carrots. Parsnips and collards are examples of crops that are very much improved by a touch of frost.