Gardening Tips Archives - Page 8 of 8

With the arrival of fall, the days get shorter and the weather gets colder. It is the perfect time to garden outside, as it can provide you with fresh produce all year round! By getting a start on a fall garden, you'll enjoy a longer growing season with fresh, delicious veggies that you've grown yourself. Fall is the perfect time for planting; you can plant vegetables to get an early start on next season’s harvest. Planting during this period gives your plants a head start before winter sets in. And while some plants may seem like they are dormant now, many will have leaves or blooms that provide color through the winter months. With a little planning and preparation now you will be able to enjoy plenty of healthy food from your own backyard for an extended season! Here are four tips for starting your own fall garden: Why Fall is a Great Time to Plant a Garden Fall is the perfect time to plant a garden. This is because many plants grow well in the fall and winter, so this time of year offers great soil conditions for planting. Vegetables like carrots, radishes, spinach, green onions, and more are perfect for fall planting. It is also a good time to winterize your garden. You can plant bulbs near your house or fence for color in the winter months. You can also store seeds for next year, by drying them out on paper towels or putting them into an envelope with rice and placing it in the fridge, so they don't get moldy or eaten by rodents. What Kind of Vegetables Can Be Grown in Fall? Autumn with its cool weather is a perfect time for growing vegetables. It usually has some of the best weather for vegetable gardening. The following fall vegetables can be grown in many places: Broccoli Cabbage Carrots Lettuce Kohlrabi Green Onions Kale Brussels sprouts Tips for Choosing the Right Vegetables for Fall Garden Many vegetables can be used when you plant a fall garden, but it is important to choose the right ones for your area and your tastes. Here are some tips on how to do so: 1) Find out what fall vegetables grow best in your area 2) Consider what you like to eat. For example, if you want to eat salads all winter, then you should grow lettuce and spinach. 3) Make sure that the fall vegetables are an appropriate size for your family. It is better to plant a little of many vegetable varieties than a lot of just one. 4) Consider what will taste good together or with other foods that you already have in the kitchen or would make a good side dish with dinner. What are the Best Tools for Planting a Fall Garden? Tools are necessary for planting a garden. You need to invest in the right tools before you start. If you're not sure what you need, here are some of the best tools for planting a fall garden. One of the most important things that you will need when gardening is a shovel. A shovel can help you move soil and other materials around your garden with ease. Plus, they come in different sizes, so there is one that will suit any size project. A spade is another great tool for all sorts of gardening needs. For instance, you can use it to break up the soil, dig out weeds, and cultivate the soil. Another great tool that is very useful for planting a fall garden is the rake. A lot of people don't realize how important rakes are for all types of gardening. They are mainly used to smooth out the soil after digging and making it ready for planting. Of course, any serious gardener needs a good pair of gloves! Good gardening gloves should be made with leather or suede, which is essential for protecting your hands from cuts and scrapes. Sizes also vary, so make sure to get a pair that fits you properly. How to Prepare Your Fall Garden Before the Ground Freezes Preparing your fall garden before the first frost means that you are going to be able to get the most out of it during the winter. If you want to prepare your fall garden before the frost date, make sure that you do these things: 1) Mulch your plants with leaves or straw. 2) Water your garden at least twice a week to keep it hydrated, especially if there are other factors that would dry it out, such as winds or sun. A good fertilizer will help as well and can be used in the fall or the spring. 3) Keep all of your tools and supplies ready to use. 4) Remove all of the dead foliage, branches, and other materials that are leftover from the summer. 5) Pick all of the vegetables that you can before they freeze. This gives more time for them to last in storage if necessary. In addition, it will allow room for new plants to grow. Watering Challenges of Fall Gardeners The fall season is one of the most important times for gardeners. Many gardeners are faced with the challenge of watering their fall crops in a new and different way to make sure that they are still providing the plants with enough water when there is no rain. Some gardeners have found that using a simple water timer and sprinkler is helpful in getting their gardens watered. This is because the sprinkler automatically waters on specific days and times, which means less time spent on this task. Another popular solution for fall gardeners is having a drip irrigation system, which waters plants slowly by putting water directly to the roots instead of spraying it over top of them. Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Fall Garden Fall is the perfect time to plant your own vegetable garden, and with these tips, you can have a successful harvest! Start by preparing the soil. Till the soil to loosen it up and add in any amendments that are needed, such as manure or fertilizer. Your soil should contain a lot of organic material like manure or compost. You can also purchase a bag of high-quality potting mix from your local home store. You want to make sure that you are adding enough organic material so there is at least six inches of quality topsoil for your plants to grow in! Next, add in any seeds or seedlings that you have selected for this year’s garden. Plan out what vegetables you would like to grow and how many plants will be needed for each one. The best way to accomplish this is to figure out the number of plants per person in the household. Consider how much space you have available for planting, and take into account the time the plant needs to mature before it can be harvested, usually 12-24 months. Harvesting Your Garden's Bounty to Store in Freezer Harvesting your garden vegetables is an annual event that is both rewarding and necessary. Your freezer or pantry will come to rely on the fruits of your labor in order to survive the long winter months. The process of harvesting and storing food for the following year can be tedious, but it's worth it when you're able to enjoy a home-cooked meal at a moment's notice during those cold winter nights. When you're ready for the fall harvest, make sure you practice good sanitation. It’s easiest if you harvest near a water source so that you can easily rinse off any dirt or debris on produce before storing them in the freezer. Check out some of these tips for harvesting and storing produce this fall: To freeze fresh peppers such as jalapeños, onions, and carrots, first, slice them into thin circles or strips. Next, place on a cookie sheet and place in your freezer until frozen solid. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag and store for up to 12 months. For individual vegetable servings of broccoli or spinach, blanch the vegetables in boiling water. For broccoli, it takes about 60 seconds to cook thoroughly. Spinach is done when its leaves are wilted. Immediately remove from the boiling water and place into an ice bath. This will prevent the vegetables from sticking together and make it easier to remove them once they are frozen. Once everything is frozen, transfer into freezer bags or containers. Label with the date of freezing and store in a deep freeze for up to 12 months at 0 degrees F/-17 degrees C (or lower). Planting a fall garden now can save you time and effort later! A fall garden is a nice way to enjoy the season while providing fresh vegetables for your family. There are many things you can plant now that will take time to grow and be ready for the fall harvest. The fall garden is a great way to get kids involved in gardening, as well! What's your favorite fall vegetable to grow? Let us know in the comments!