As August arrives, it is not hard to feel as though summer is almost over. However, from the standpoint of vegetable growing, in some cases, we are just getting started. Late summer planting is not a common practice in our area, but the benefits of having another crop of some vegetables (although of small variety) are worth the little work needed to produce this crop.
Some vegetables grow best in cooler conditions, so planting in early to mid-August would give them time to germinate quickly with the warm soil and still produce a crop of veggies for late fall or spring harvest! The short list of veggies that can be planted as late as mid-August includes radish, spinach, lettuce, and turnip, as well as garlic (which will be harvested the following summer). If you are on the ball, you can increase the varieties planted for fall by planting them in July. Such varieties would include broccoli, cabbage, and other cole crops, as well as beets.
Planting techniques, as well as growing care, will mimic those used in the spring. Watering sufficiently during the early growing days when heat is high will be important to ensure root development and minimize stress. Growth through the first weeks after planting could be fast due to the warm air and soil temperatures. The radishes, lettuce, and spinach can be harvested as soon as they are ready. Turnips can either be harvested in the fall or left until spring, as the sugars will be higher if they remain in the ground over the winter.
For many home gardeners, garlic is often preferred to be planted in the fall. Garlic should be planted in mid-October, as the goal is not to achieve foliage growth but to establish roots before going into winter. Garlic which is well established in the spring will give you an earlier harvest in the summer.
Before putting away the planting trowels this year, give a fall crop a try. Fresh salads await you this fall!
