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Ever wonder what you should be doing in the heirloom vegetable garden in the fall? In the Southern states or hot climates, the early fall marks a time of transition in the heirloom vegetable garden. As summer crops wind down, it’s time to prepare for fall planting. Despite the warm temperatures, there are still plenty of gardening tasks to be done. This guide provides insights on preparing beds for winter crops, what can be planted in the fall, and essential maintenance to keep your garden thriving.
Table of Contents
Transitioning from Summer Crops to Fall Crops in Southern Heirloom Gardens
- Plan for Successive Planting: If space allows, practice successive planting by inserting quick-growing fall crops like radishes, arugula, or mustard greens in cleared sections. This approach maximizes your harvest season, giving you more fresh produce into the cooler months.
- Harvest Remaining Summer Vegetables: Pick any tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and other summer crops still producing. Monitor plants closely as they may slow down or get stressed by lingering heat. Consider harvesting early if high temperatures or pests threaten the ripening fruit. Also, use this opportunity to collect seeds from heirloom varieties to plant in future seasons.
- Remove Spent Plants: As summer crops die back, pull out old plants to make room for fall plantings. Compost the healthy remains but discard diseased plants to avoid spreading infections. Clearing out old crops will also help reduce habitat for pests and improve air circulation for new plants.
- Prepare the Soil for Fall Plantings: After removing summer crops, amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure to replenish nutrients for the next planting cycle. Aerate the soil lightly to allow better root penetration for fall crops, and consider adding a layer of mulch to retain moisture and regulate temperature as fall weather arrives.
What to Plant in the Fall in Southern Gardens
- Sow Seeds for Fall Crops: In September, you can start planting heirloom varieties of cool-season crops like:
- Kale, collards, and other leafy greens
- Beets, carrots, and radishes
- Broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage
- Turnips and rutabagas
- Direct Seeding or Transplanting: In warm climates, direct sowing or transplanting seedlings can still be successful. Just ensure adequate moisture and protection from harsh sunlight.
Manage Heat Stress, the Heat Ain’t Over Yet!
- Provide Shade: In hot climates, the sun can still be intense in September. Use shade cloth or plant taller crops to provide shade for new seedlings.
- Mulch Heavily: Use mulch around your plants to retain soil moisture and keep the soil cooler. Mulching the garden beds also helps retain moisture and suppress weeds. Use straw, leaves, or grass clippings to keep the soil cool and prevent weed growth around your heirloom crops.
- Water Consistently: Watering early in the morning helps avoid evaporation. Aim for deep watering to encourage strong root systems.
Prepare Beds for Winter Crops
- Plan for Drainage: Ensure beds are well-draining to prevent waterlogged soil, which can lead to root rot in winter crops. If necessary, build raised beds or add sand or perlite to improve drainage in areas prone to holding moisture during the cooler, wetter months.
- Amend the Soil: Add compost, manure, or organic fertilizers to enrich the soil for fall and winter plantings. Organic matter helps improve soil structure, promotes beneficial microbes, and provides essential nutrients. Consider using cover crops like clover or legumes to fix nitrogen in the soil. Cover crops can be turned into the soil in early spring as green manure to further boost fertility.
- Turn Over Beds: Loosen the soil where you’re planting new crops, especially if it’s compacted after the summer growing season. Use a garden fork or broadfork to gently aerate the soil without disturbing beneficial soil organisms. This will help improve drainage and root growth for winter crops.
- Test Soil pH and Nutrient Levels: Testing the soil’s pH and nutrient balance can guide you in adding the right amendments. Many winter crops, such as brassicas and leafy greens, prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil. Adjust pH as needed with lime (to raise) or sulfur (to lower) before planting.
- Add Mulch for Temperature Control: Applying a layer of straw, shredded leaves, or pine needles around winter crops helps insulate roots and maintain soil temperature, reducing the risk of temperature fluctuations that may stress young plants. Mulch also conserves soil moisture and minimizes weeds.
- Set Up Row Covers or Cold Frames: For areas with fluctuating winter temperatures, consider installing row covers, cloches, or cold frames over the beds. These structures offer extra protection from frost, wind, and pests, extending the growing season for winter crops.
Pest and Disease Control
- Inspect Soil and Mulch: Turn over mulch and inspect soil near plants for hiding pests. Removing or replacing mulch near affected plants can disrupt pest life cycles, reducing future issues.
- Monitor for Pests: September can still bring challenges with pests like aphids, caterpillars, and whiteflies. Use organic methods like neem oil or insecticidal soap to control them. Keep an eye out for early signs of infestation, such as holes in leaves or sticky residue on plants, to address issues promptly.
- Clean Up Debris: Remove any fallen fruits or diseased leaves to reduce the spread of pests and diseases. This not only keeps the garden tidy but also prevents overwintering pests from finding shelter in plant debris.
- Encourage Natural Predators: Attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings by planting flowers such as marigolds, dill, and fennel nearby. These insects help keep pest populations in check naturally.
Plant Garlic and Onions
- Consider Companion Planting: Garlic and onions can be beneficial when planted near other cool-season crops like lettuce or carrots, as their strong scent helps deter pests. Avoid planting them near legumes like peas, which don’t thrive when planted close to alliums.
- Ideal Planting Time: Late September is an ideal time in Southern climates to plant garlic and onions. These hardy crops will grow through the cooler months and be ready for harvest in the spring. Garlic and onions benefit from the milder fall temperatures, allowing them to establish roots before winter.
- Choose the Right Varieties: Opt for softneck garlic varieties, which perform well in warmer Southern climates and typically store longer. For onions, choose short-day or intermediate-day varieties, as they’re better suited for southern latitudes and will bulb properly in response to the shorter winter days.
- Prepare the Planting Area: Loosen the soil in your garlic and onion bed, and mix in compost or a balanced organic fertilizer. Both crops prefer well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Garlic, in particular, thrives with a bit of extra phosphorus, so consider adding bone meal or rock phosphate to the planting area.
- Spacing and Planting Depth: Plant garlic cloves about 2 inches deep and 4-6 inches apart, with the pointed end facing up. Onions can be spaced a bit closer at around 4 inches apart. This spacing allows each plant enough room to grow a large bulb without competing for nutrients.
- Mulch to Protect and Insulate: After planting, cover the bed with a layer of straw, leaves, or other mulch to help regulate soil temperature, retain moisture, and suppress weeds. Mulching also provides insulation during occasional cold snaps, keeping bulbs from being stressed by temperature fluctuations.
- Water Regularly But Avoid Saturation: Garlic and onions prefer consistent moisture, so water them regularly, especially during dry fall weather, but avoid waterlogging the soil. Wet conditions can promote rot, so aim to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy.
Start Herbs for Winter Use
- Consider Indoor Herb Growing: If space allows, start a small indoor herb garden with pots of parsley, chives, and cilantro on a sunny windowsill. This provides easy access to fresh herbs for cooking and ensures they stay protected from possible winter frosts.
- Ideal Herbs for Fall Planting: September is a great time to start fall herbs like cilantro, parsley, and dill, which thrive in cooler weather and will grow well into the fall and winter. Additionally, consider planting other hardy herbs such as chives, thyme, and sage, which can handle cooler temperatures and often provide fresh harvests throughout winter.
- Choose the Right Location: Plant herbs in a sunny spot with at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Herbs like cilantro, parsley, and dill grow well in cooler temperatures but still need sunlight to flourish. If space is limited or if frost is expected, consider growing herbs in containers that can be moved indoors or to a protected area.
- Prepare the Soil: Most herbs prefer well-drained, slightly fertile soil. Add compost or a light layer of organic fertilizer to the soil before planting to ensure the herbs have adequate nutrients. Avoid overly rich soil, which can lead to leggy growth in herbs like cilantro and dill.
- Consider Succession Planting: For a continuous supply, consider sowing seeds every few weeks for herbs like cilantro and dill, which can bolt or lose flavor quickly. This succession planting will provide fresh herbs well into the cooler months, giving you multiple harvests.
- Protect from Early Frost: While many herbs are hardy, using row covers or frost cloths during sudden cold snaps can help extend their growing season. Herbs in containers can also be moved to a sheltered location if frost is predicted.
- Prune Regularly to Encourage Growth: Harvest herbs frequently by snipping the outer leaves or branches, which encourages bushier growth and prevents the plants from flowering prematurely. Avoid cutting more than one-third of the plant at a time to keep it healthy and productive.
- Dry or Freeze Excess Herbs: If you find yourself with a surplus, consider drying or freezing herbs like parsley and dill for winter use. This allows you to preserve their flavors for soups, stews, and other winter dishes when fresh herbs may be less available.
Planning for Next Year
- Save Seeds: September is a good time to save seeds from your heirloom plants. Dry and store them for next season to ensure the preservation of your heirloom varieties.
- Take Notes: Document what worked and what didn’t in your summer garden to improve next year’s planting. Note which varieties thrived, any pest or disease issues, and specific planting or harvesting times that led to success. These details provide valuable insights when planning your future garden layout and crop rotation.
- Plan Crop Rotation: Map out where you planted different crops this year and plan to rotate them to prevent soil depletion and minimize disease buildup. For instance, avoid planting tomatoes in the same bed next year; instead, rotate them with legumes to restore nitrogen levels.
- Reflect on Garden Layout: Assess the layout and spacing used this year. Consider whether the arrangement allowed for adequate airflow, sunlight, and access for harvesting. Adjustments like widening paths or grouping plants with similar watering needs can make next season’s garden more efficient.
- Plan Seed Purchases: Review your saved seed inventory and make a list of any seeds you’ll need to buy. Research heirloom or new varieties that performed well in your climate and look for trusted suppliers. Purchasing seeds early in the winter season can ensure you get the varieties you want before they sell out, especially for popular or rare heirlooms.
- Research New Varieties: Based on your notes, explore new varieties that might perform well in your region’s climate or offer better resistance to pests and diseases. This research can help you diversify your garden with varieties that may extend your harvest season or improve yield.
- Prepare a Planting Calendar: Develop a rough calendar for next season, including estimated planting dates for each crop. This is particularly useful for planning successive plantings, ensuring you have fresh produce coming in throughout the growing season. Remember to account for fall and winter planting if you want to maximize year-round production.
- Evaluate Tools and Supplies: Check your garden tools, irrigation equipment, and other supplies for wear and tear. Make a list of items to repair, upgrade, or replace so you’re fully prepared when spring planting begins.
- Compost Management: Consider how much compost you’ll need for next season and plan accordingly. If possible, start an extra compost pile or add organic matter to the existing one to ensure you have plenty of nutrient-rich compost ready by planting time.
Last, but Not Least…Saving Heirloom Seeds
One of the benefits of growing heirloom vegetables is the ability to save seeds from your best plants. As crops reach the end of their life cycle, it is the ideal time to collect seeds for next year’s planting:
– Tomatoes and Peppers: Save seeds from your healthiest heirloom tomatoes and peppers. Allow them to fully ripen before extracting seeds and drying them for storage.
– Beans and Peas: Let some pods mature fully on the plant until they dry. Collect the seeds, dry them thoroughly, and store them in a cool, dry place.
– Squash and Melons: Save seeds from fully ripened squash and melons, ensuring that the fruits are disease-free and healthy.
To see more ideas for easy to save seeds for beginners, visit our article on Easiest Heirloom Seeds to Save
This mix of harvesting, planting, and preparing for cooler months will keep you occupied and help your heirloom garden continue to thrive even in the heat of September! There’s still lots to do in the heirloom vegetable garden in the fall.
St. Clare Favorites for the Fall Garden:
Tools we like for Garden Harvest and Plant Management:
- A Good Basket: My favorite is the Fiskars, as it’s durable, and washable. The Collapsible is excellent for saving space. For those who prefer more natural materials, we include the wicker, so pretty, nostalgic, and fitting to the heirloom garden. The metal mesh is really nice, it’s breathable and you can see everything in the basket easily.
Wicker Woven Basket with Jute Rope Handle Garden Harvest Basket
- Nice Shears or Knife: Perfect for cutting fruits off plants. Shears are a necessity when harvesting thicker stemmed varieties in particular, such as squash, pumpkins, etc.….also, are great for not damaging plants when picking your bounty, to keep your harvest going. Make sure to sanitize garden tools to prevent disease spread. (Great article on this: https://bcmgtn.wildapricot.org/Cleaning-and-Disinfecting-Garden-Tools). We find Fiskars brand is one of our favorites for garden tools, they’re long lasting and hold up well to lots of use. In a large family with multiple gardens they get lots of exposure to weather :-0 and plenty of testing!
Fiskars Folding Knife for Produce Harvesting, Foldable Gardening Hand Tool with Ergonomic Design
Fiskars SoftGrip Bypass Pruner 5/8″ Tree and Branch Cutter – Bypass Pruning Shears and Garden Clippers with Sharp Precision-Ground Steel Blade (favorite all-around garden/landscape shears!)
- Harvest storage: One of our favorite new harvest storage tools is the mesh produce hanging bags! They work great for storing onions, tomatoes, garlic, apples, oranges, or even potatoes or ginger.
4-Tier Vegetable Fruit Basket Kitchen Storage Rolling Cart on Wheels with Pull-Out Baskets and Wood Top for Kitchen Dining room Pantry (favorite storage for veggies in the kitchen, has held up to 40 lbs. of produce, and withstood the usage of many cooks in the household!)
- Garden Harvest Apron: Very handy! Wish I’d known of these sooner.
Gardening Apron, Canvas Garden Aprons with 6 Pockets and Harvesting Pouch for Women and Men
Fruit Picking Bag, Vegetable Harvest Apron Storage Pouch, Outdoor Gardening Aprons
For more tips on gardening in the high heat areas, here are some great books:
–Florida Fruit & Vegetable Gardening: Plant, Grow, and Harvest the Best Edibles
–Grow Great Vegetables in Texas (Grow Great Vegetables State-By-State)
Our Favorite Books on Soil Amendment:
For more in depth seed saving instructions, these are our favorite books:
– The Complete Guide to Saving Seeds: 322 Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, Flowers, Trees, and Shrubs
– Seed to Seed: Seed Saving and Growing Techniques for Vegetable Gardeners, 2nd Edition
(As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases on books or products linked. If you prefer purchasing elsewhere, we completely understand! It’s just an easy all-in-one place to link some of our favorite products for you all. As always, we recommend you read descriptions, reviews, dimensions etc. to make sure our recommendations fit your needs. God bless!)
FAQ:
What should I do with my summer crops as fall approaches?
Harvest any remaining vegetables, collect seeds from heirloom plants, and remove spent or diseased plants to prepare for fall plantings.
What are the best heirloom vegetables to plant in the fall in Southern climates?
Cool-season crops like kale, collards, beets, carrots, radishes, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, turnips, and rutabagas are excellent choices.
How do I protect fall seedlings from lingering heat?
Use shade cloth, mulch heavily to retain soil moisture and reduce temperature, and water consistently early in the morning.
What soil preparations are needed for winter crops?
Amend soil with compost or organic fertilizers, ensure proper drainage, test soil pH, and consider adding mulch for insulation.
How do I control pests and diseases during the fall?
Monitor for pests like aphids and caterpillars, remove plant debris, encourage natural predators, and use organic pest control methods like neem oil.
When is the best time to plant garlic and onions in Southern climates?
Late September is ideal, as it allows these crops to establish roots before winter.
What herbs can I plant in the fall for winter use?
Cool weather herbs like cilantro, parsley, dill, chives, thyme, and sage thrive in the fall and can be grown in gardens or containers.
How do I save seeds from heirloom plants?
Collect seeds from mature, healthy fruits like tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans, and melons. Dry them thoroughly before storage.
What steps should I take to plan for next year’s garden?
Save seeds, document successes and challenges, plan crop rotation, assess garden layout, and prepare a planting calendar.
How do I maintain garden beds for winter crops?
Turn over the soil to aerate it, use cover crops or mulch for temperature control, and set up row covers or cold frames for frost protection.
