By Claryssa J. Medina, Somervell County Master Gardener Intern
With temperatures still in the upper 80s & 90s, it can be hard to turn our attention to Autumn. But rest assured, the days will gradually start getting longer, and the temperatures will gradually get cooler (or at least less hot, right?).
Knowing that fall is around the corner, we can start thinking about fall gardening. Just a few of the fall gardening benefits: more rain, fewer insects, frost tolerant plants, and better flavor in your veggies. Many cool-season crops can actually withstand some cold. In fact, their flavor may even be enhanced after a frost.
Timely planting is the key to a successful fall garden. To determine when to plan a paticular vegetable for the latest harvest, consider the average date of the first killing frost and the number of days to maturity for the particular crop variety. Using lettuce as our example, you would plant 10-14 weeks before the average fall-freeze date, harvesting 40-85 days after planting.
If you’re less in the mood or fall planting, fall and winter offers an excellent chance to clean up and amend your beds in preparation for the next spring planting season. By spreading compost and other wastes on the soil, you will add nutrients to the soil for next year’s crops. The beneficial insects and microorganisms in the compost will help integrate the compost with the soil, and the added humus will improve the soil structure. Leaves are also abundant, and non-gardening neighbors are usually glad to give away their leaves. This provides a win-win for the gardener the non-gardener, and the leaves, as they get recycled back into the ground to provide an amendment to the soil.
Whichever you choose, gardening or garden clean-up, for us Texans, fall is always a welcome gift to revive us after the summer beat-down!
May all your gardens be green & fruitful!