Right now you have pile of tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchini sitting on your kitchen counter that you are spending time every weekend preserving but I’m going to talk about something else to add to your list of garden chores in the midst of this busy harvesting month: The Fall Garden. This is even more important this year with the warm weather we have been experiencing in Surrey.
This is where succession sowing is so important and time to start putting those cool season crops into the ground if you are growing from seed. From peas and lettuce to kale, brussels sprouts and arugula there are endless possibilities. Don’t forget overwintering varieties and what types of garlic you would like for next summer to order soon for September or October arrival at your door.
Here is a great resource from West Coast Seeds which includes there 2014 fall and winter planting guide (the 2015 guide should be out soon).
In order to determine what to plant when you need to know roughly when the first frost date in your area is and work backwards from there with crops suggested days to maturity. Modern Farmer has some other helpful tips about sowing your fall garden including suggestions of starting the seeds indoors or in a shady area of the garden until the ‘true leaves’ appear.
Trying to decide what pea varieties to grow in for the fall – think varieties that you can preserve for the winter according to A Way to Garden. As well consider growing crops that may not have time to mature in a fall garden to use as shoots or micro greens instead of for the mature plant.
Cedar Grove Organic Garden 