by Lydia Holley August 18, 2025
On Tuesday, August 26, 9:30 a.m., join Master Gardener Ann Reese at the Henderson County Master Gardener (HCMGA) Harvest Garden inside the Henderson County Regional Fairpark Complex, 3356 State Hwy 31 E., Athens, for a 30-minute tutorial and discussion about planting a fall vegetable garden. This presentation is free and open to the public. As it will take place outside, you may wish to bring a hat or sunscreen. Seating is limited, so bringing a camp chair is advised. This is part of HCMGA’s “Tuesday Tutorials.”
Because East Texas usually has a long autumn, fall vegetable gardening can be very productive. According to HCMGA’s Monthly Gardening Guide, there are several things you can plant in August to get your fall garden off to a good start. They are: bush and pole beans, carrots, collards, cucumber, English peas, Irish potatoes, kale, kohlrabi, lima beans, parsley, summer squash, sweet corn, and Swiss chard. Transplants of broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower can also be planted now. Lettuces can be planted after September 15.
There is nothing sweeter than eating from your own garden. The food is fresher, has not lost any of its nutrients, has not been bruised in shipping, and—even if it is only in the imagination of the gardener—tastes much, much better than any vegetable found in a grocery store.
Some of these vegetables will only produce until the first freeze. But some will continue to produce all winter. Nothing warms a gardener’s heart quicker than going out on a cold day to retrieve fresh produce straight from the garden.
Even if you have never grown a vegetable garden before, it is possible to be successful during the long producing season of fall in East Texas. Pick a few vegetables to start with or go wild and plant everything. Reese will explain all that is needed to begin and will answer all your questions about what to expect.
For more information, call 903-675-6130, email [email protected], or visit txmg.org/hendersonmg.