Oklahomans are still in the heat of summer, but it’s not too early to start thinking about a fall garden.
Gardeners are accustomed to having fresh produce available and have developed an appreciation for nutritious vegetables. Fortunately, gardeners can extend the fresh taste of summer for several more months.
Some of the best quality garden vegetables in Oklahoma are grown and harvested during the fall season, said David Hillock, Oklahoma State University Extension consumer horticulturist.
“Warm, sunny days followed by cool, humid nights provide the perfect conditions for optimal garden production,” he said. “During this time, plant soil metabolism is low, which means more of the food manufactured by the plant becomes a high-quality vegetable product.”
Gardeners can grow crops like carrots, beets and green beans well into the fall. Another option is to do a second planting of fast-maturing summer vegetables, such as cucumber, green onion, zucchini, radish or turnip. Different varieties of lettuce are another good choice.
Successful gardening always comes back to the soil, and fall gardening is no different. But at this time of year, Hillock said, gardeners need to be aware of soil temperatures when planning fall gardens.
“Although fall officially begins on Sept. 22, fall gardening starts much earlier than the calendar indicates,” he said. “As gardeners in Oklahoma know, the climatic conditions of late July and into August involve high soil temperature, high light intensity and rapid drying of the soil, all of which increase the difficulty of obtaining a uniform stand of plants.”
Achieving a full stand of plants when the temperature is at or near triple digits may require special treatments, such as shade over rows when seeded or supplemental watering to reduce soil temperature and to help encourage germination. In addition, seeds need proper temperature, adequate irrigation and sufficient oxygen. Remember to soak seeds overnight before planting. This will speed up germination and seedling emergence when the seeds are most susceptible to death in the hot, dry soil.
When exposed to full sun, soil temperatures can exceed 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Because vegetable seeds shouldn’t be planted any deeper than three times the diameter of the seed, small seeds, such as carrot seeds, would be planted at a mere quarter of an inch. Due to the soil temperature, the seeds likely wouldn’t germinate. So, what’s a gardener to do?
“Apply mulch over the row following planting and watering,” Hillock said. “Gardeners can also use materials like screen wire strips, shade cloths or boards to cover the rows. This moderates both soil temperature and soil moisture. Remove the covers when the seedlings emerge. Another option is to sow seeds in a small seed flat, then transfer them to the garden. Broccoli, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, leaf lettuce, Brussels sprouts and cabbage respond well to this method of planting.”
Insects have long been a challenge for gardeners, and it’s no different with fall gardens. These pests can cause serious damage in a short amount of time. It’s a good idea to examine plants regularly — at least twice weekly. Look under leaves, along stems and at the plant base or crown for the insects themselves or signs of plant damage. OSU Extension has an informative fact sheet, EPP-7313 Home Vegetable Garden Insect Pest Control, available online to provide gardeners guidance with pest control.
Gardeners who find themselves with a bountiful harvest of some of their cool-season crops can extend the life of the produce by storing it in a cool, moist location. Root crops, such as carrots, beets, rutabagas, turnips and Irish potatoes, should remain in usable condition until late winter when stored properly.
Hillock suggests storing the vegetables in ventilated plastic bags in a cool basement or cellar. Another option for storage once these veggies reach maturity is to simply leave them in the ground. They’ll be fine until about January. To protect them from the cold, the soil layer over the mound should be 6 to 10 inches thick.
“Fall vegetable gardening is a great way to keep the taste of fresh produce in your kitchen beyond the traditional summer garden,” Hillock said.
PHOTO: Green Bean. Gardeners can extend the fresh taste of summer by planting a fall garden now. Home garden of Nolan and Donna Scheihing. (Photo by Todd Johnson, OSU Agriculture)
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