Gardening might be one of the oldest “people versus the elements” pursuits as we battle bugs, weeds, weather changes, and our own will to keep things green, tasty, and pretty. Here are some pointers to help give you a robust garden this fall and get ready for fresh bounties from the soil in spring.
Fall Garden Preparation: Get the Plants in Shape
Hot and humid summer conditions can take their toll on a garden, so it’s essential to proactively identify and correct issues for fall garden planting.
Pluck Out Weeds
Inspect your garden for sickly plants or those which are too close together. You may need to replace or thin out trouble spots. Weeds encroach on plants, weakening their ability to grow. It's best to pull weeds by hand. If you don’t physically pull the weeds, they will come back because their roots are still intact.
Manage Topsoil and Erosion
Heavy rains may erode the topsoil and expose roots — replace missing topsoil and repair erosion control structures such as retaining walls or landscape matting as necessary. If you’re using an irrigation system, inspect drip nozzles or sprinkler heads for obstructions, kinked hoses, or other flaws. You want your garden watering to be in the “Goldilocks zone” — not too much, not too little, but just right!
Treat Garden for Insects
Insects peak in the summertime, and they can damage plant leaves and root systems — treat your garden with a plant-friendly insecticide. There are good and bad bugs. Bees are our friends and essential for pollination; ladybugs and praying mantises feed on other insects. On the downside, fruit worms, aphids, and roaches need to be eliminated.
Fall Garden Preparation: Get the Soil in Shape
Soil nutrients need to be recharged so a boost can do a world of good not only for your fall efforts but also for those of the following spring. Some methods include:
Apply Weed Elimination Product
Treat your garden soil to reduce weed growth. Be careful not to apply the chemical directly to the leaves, or they will suffer damage — so spread the chemical when it’s dry. Carefully read the directions for the product of your choice and only use products specifically designed for gardens. Otherwise, you may decimate your hard work! Treat your garden as directed on the package.
Spray Granular or Liquid Fertilizer
Fertilizer is a beneficial tool to aid in effective fall garden planting. Nitrogen is key, and you’ll want to carefully read what each type of fertilizer is designed to do. Consider organic alternatives such as compost.
Remove Moldy or Pest-Infested Mulch
Some garden mulch may contain termites. Neutralize fire ants with a safe, proven substance. Replenish topsoil or mulch to levels you had at the start of the season.
Choose the Right Fall Plants for the Best Fall Garden Planting
Find out what the average first frost date is for your town, and then count backward from that date to see how long you’ll need to grow the plants of your choice.
- Beets — plant in late summer and sow under taller crops for a bit of shade. Once you harvest neighboring vegetables, beets will get the stronger sun to reach maturity.
- Radishes — a great choice for impatient gardeners. They mature in just four weeks. Count backward eight weeks from the first frost date and you can run two crops!
- Green onions — spice up that salad with a vegetable that can grow all the way to December in milder climates.
- Blueberries — an ideal fruit to plant in spring or fall, but birds like them too, so netting is recommended.
- Lettuce — a great fall crop, especially in cool to mild climates. Plant direct from seed or transplants, either work.
- Strawberries — perfect for late summer or early fall garden planting in warmer climates. Strawberries take about four months to mature, so plant in September and harvest in January. A tasty mid-winter treat fresh from your yard.
Extend the Fall Garden Planting Season
- Shield plants from strong winds by putting up a fence on the windward side of the garden. This will reduce the cold stress on them.
- Cover your plants on cold nights — this will extend the growing season several weeks and allow crops like tomatoes and okra extra time to ripen. Garden fabric is ideal, but even a blanket or sheet will provide a temporary fix.
- Apply mulch to trap heat within the topsoil.
Your Garden and the Weather
A hard freeze or heavy frost signals the end of the growing season, but not the end of your garden. A properly cultivated and protected garden will bounce back, ready for even greater vigor in the spring.
Monitor your garden conditions all year round with the AcuRite Atlas® home weather station. By automatically logging daily rainfall and temperature changes seen in the My AcuRite® app, you can know when fall season is right around the corner in your area. It’s a helpful addition to the serious gardener’s toolkit. Happy harvesting!
Steve LaNore is a certified broadcast meteorologist with more than 30 years’ forecasting and technical experience. He has provided meteorological consulting for everyone from insurance adjusters to courts and is a nine-time award-winning author and broadcaster. He has authored two books, available on Amazon. He resides in north Texas near beautiful Lake Texoma.