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Planting Vegetables Through All the Seasons

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Written by Dave Truman

Friday, 27 June 2008

by DaveTruman

Most of us think of planting in the Spring and harvesting in the Fall. And, for the majority of crops, that's right. But species vary, climates vary and indoor container gardening often can be carried out year 'round.

For some crops it is helpful to plant in the fall because it helps enrich the soil for the following spring. And certain lettuce varieties can be planted late in the summer and still be harvested before the first frost.

When to plant depends on the species and your climate zone. Get the best estimate possible on when to expect the first frost. 30-day weather forecasts, Farmer's Almanac and others are good sources of information.

Before planting new seeds or vegetables be sure to clear the area of any spring or summer crops. Leftovers decay and encourage bacteria growth. Spread a couple of inches of new compost or mulch over the area. Turn the top layer of soil up and water well, then let it rest for a day. Since in most areas, you'll receive more rain (and sometimes snow) in the fall, be sure you have well draining soil.

Many varieties of vegetables will thrive if you take these preliminary steps.

Beets do well if planted before the beginning of August. If you intend just to harvest the tops, the date can be extended to the beginning of September.

Broccoli can be transplanted until about mid-August. It will continue to thrive in most climates until Thanksgiving, when it can be harvested for a great addition to the holiday meal. In some warmer zones it may even last as late as Christmas. In fact, Italian broccoli can be planted during the winter in areas with no snow and will produce shoots until spring.

Fall cabbage planting is common in many climate zones. Jersey Wakefield is often seeded in the first couple of weeks of September and will winter over well. Then it can be harvested in late Spring.

Carrots, since as a root vegetable the food actually grows under the ground, will last through just about anything. If you plant by mid-July or even in the Fall, you can harvest in Winter, provided there's little snow on the surface. Very cold temperatures will freeze the ground, making digging almost impossible.

Endive does well if planted by mid-July. A light mulch will keep it protected from frost and it can be harvested in Winter (again, assuming at most only light snows). Make sure it doesn't get drenched. Drainage in the Fall and Winter months is much slower than in Summer.

Romaine can be sown in July, then harvested in the Fall. Since it's low to the ground and very leafy, it's important to keep it from being excessively wet. Fungal growth is still possible in Fall, even though temperatures are cooler at night.

You can also plant some peas in early November and harvest them the following June. So with proper planning, you can enjoy fresh vegetables nearly year round.

Enjoy!

About the Author:

How do you choose the right seed companies when sowing your garden? Find out how to make sure you get the right seeds for starting your garden. Visit http://www.vegetablegardeners.com for more advice and to get your free reports on starting a garden

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