Fall & Winter Gardening On The Central Coast
If you’ve never gardened before or you are a seasoned gardener, you’ll soon figure out that fall is a great time to grow your own produce. Cooler temperatures & milder sun can spell success for any gardener who takes up the trowel as autumn approaches.
Growing cool weather crops is easy, with less watering and care needed for a successful garden. Cool crops will start out strong, growing quickly and then slow their growth as days become shorter and cooler. You’ll also need to work less to protect your garden from pests, as both insects and animal populations will taper off in fall. And since weeds will germinate less frequently and grow slower, weeding won’t be a time-consuming task. Finally, more rain and less sun and heat mean you’ll need to water less.
Once you decide what you’ll be planting, it’s time to get the ground ready. Remove any garden debris from the past season’s garden and remove weeds before they go to seed. Loosen compacted soil, fluffing it up with a garden fork. Adding a two inch layer of bagged compost is always good practice. Plants will need an inch of moisture per week, either through rain or supplemental watering. Most vegetables need full sun – at least six hours per day. When frost threatens, cover your plants with something to keep them warm.
You can start out with starter plants or seeds. Of course, starter plants are faster but if you prefer seeds you can germinate them easily on your windowsill and move them outside or you can plant them directly in the garden soil.
Choose crops that your family likes to eat.
Popular fall favorites include:
Brussels Sprouts
A cousin of the cabbage, these globes need room to spread out, so space them 18- 24 inches apart in an area that gets six or more hours of sun daily. Lay down a 3-inch layer of mulch to retain soil moisture and prevent weeds. Harvest when heads are firm and green. They should be 1 to 2 inches in diameter.
Kale
A cold-hardy vegetable, kale leaves sweeten after frost. Kale is a super food, and kale leaves extend excellent health benefits, lowering cholesterol, fighting cancer and decreasing inflammation.
Broccoli
Many greens love the fall, and broccoli is no exception. Plant stalks 18 inches apart and get ready for an easy, hearty harvest. Broccoli is high in fiber and calcium.
Cabbage
Cabbage is the quintessential fall vegetable. From salads to stews, cabbage adds a punch of flavor and nutrients like beta-carotene, vitamins C and K, and plenty of fiber.
Romaine Lettuce
Romaine packs a big punch with more vitamins, minerals, fiber and phytonutrients than other popular types of lettuce. Rich in fiber, vitamin C and beta-carotene, romaine is especially good for heart health. Space transplants 18 inches apart.
Beans
Beans of all types grow quickly and can produce abundant harvests up until frost. This makes them ideal for succession planting, meaning planting at intervals throughout the growing season. Sow outdoors directly in the soil. If you’re growing pole beans, add a trellis; if you’re growing bush varieties, no trellis is needed.
Beets
Beets are an ideal fall crop. Sow seeds directly outdoors; you can pre-soak seeds to help with germination. In warmer climates especially, sow seeds in late summer under taller crops like tomatoes or peppers to provide a little shade.
Radishes
Radishes are one of the quickest maturing crops at four weeks from seed to harvest. Like beets, you can sow under taller summer crops to provide a little shade. You can stagger plantings to get a couple harvests of radishes from late summer through fall.
Artichokes
Artichokes are considered a cool season crop but can be grown as a perennial. They require lots of sun, plenty of water, and occasional protection from frost. During the growing season, the artichoke needs to be irrigated about once weekly. The best time to plant is in September–October. Two crops per year can be expected. After spring harvest, cut off the old stalks just below ground. New shoots will develop and produce a fall crop.
