Fall in love with gardening in cool weather for a healthy and abundant homemade harvest • News Atascadero

By Bonnie Plants, Freelance Columnist

Shorter days and cooler temperatures mean gardeners around the world can flex their green thumbs for much longer to get the most out of the growing season. The cooler temperatures make it a pleasure to spend time outside in the garden. Plus, you’ll spend less time tending to the crops due to the favorable growing conditions in cooler weather. Plants grow quickly at first and gradually as the days get shorter and colder.

The destructive insects will not be as numerous and weeds germinate less frequently and grow more slowly than they do in warmer weather. Compared to hot, dry summers, fall typically results in increased precipitation, reducing another time-consuming chore: watering.

Here’s how to grow: Use grafts: For the fastest results, buy quality grafts that have already started, so that the germination process is complete. You’ll harvest six weeks earlier than growing from seed, with time to spare before cold weather sets in.

Make friends with the gel: Cabbage crops (German cabbage, as in coleslaw), such as cauliflower, cabbage, and kale grow well in cooler temperatures; and they taste even better when pinched by Jack Frost, as the gel encourages cabbage crops to produce sugar, which makes them sweeter. Unlike cabbage crops, although tomatoes can still grow profusely in the fall, they are vulnerable to frost.

Location, location, location: plan your fall garden with enough sun (six to eight hours a day) to grow and thrive, while allowing for some afternoon shade. Spend time noting the sunniest spots and planting accordingly. Prepare the perfect soil. Just like humans, plants need their own brand of nutrition to thrive. Working in compost can be beneficial, as well as removing used plants and weeds. Freshen the garden soil by removing any mulch, then replace it. Straw makes an excellent cover; it is easily dispersed and is also a favorite home for spiders which naturally control pests.

Think about containers. Container gardening is a quick, easy, and economical way to grow your own food at home, and it’s also great for small spaces or city dwellers who may not have green spaces. Choose your plants. From showy lettuce to hearty cabbage crops, fall offers a cornucopia of choice. Here are some good choices for cooler days: Georgia Cabbage: These green vegetables are popular for their sweet, cabbage-like flavor and are rich in vitamins and minerals.

Spinach: A cool weather favorite is fast growing, producing many leaves in a short time. Art Broccoli: This variety is unique; instead of producing a large head of broccoli, it produces tender, dark green side shoots with bite-sized buds and long edible stems, perfect for stir-fries and stir-fries.

Hybrid cabbage: Cabbage is particularly rich in beta-carotene, vitamin C, K, and fiber. Water wisely. It is best to water in the morning at the base of the plant (ground level), keeping the foliage dry – water when the first 2 inches of the soil becomes dry to the touch. To test, poke your finger or pencil about 2 inches into the ground. If the soil is dry, 2 inches deep, it’s time to water; if wet, wait until the soil is dry. Fertilize faithfully.

Plants need extra nutritional support for proper growth in the form of high quality fertilizer. Always follow the manufacturer’s label directions for rates and intervals, as too much fertilizer can harm the plants. Prepare for the harvest. Once your plants start to show results, have a plan in place for eating fresh or storing.

Who knows, maybe now is a great time to try your hand at canning or freezing to maximize freshness and time.

All it takes is proper preparation and planning, and soon your garden will produce a delicious garden-to-table feast before the first frost hits the ground.

For more information on fall gardening and varieties, visit bonnieplants.com.

Bonnie Plants is a freelance columnist for The Atascadero News and Paso Robles Press; you can email them to bonnieplants.com.

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