After what seemed like an endless summer of heat here in the Inland Empire, fall has finally arrived! Our gardens are getting a much-needed break, and it’s time to start enjoying one of the best seasons in the garden.
Fall is actually my favorite time of year to grow vegetables. The temperatures are more comfortable, many of our favorite crops thrive, and although pests haven’t disappeared, they’re generally much more manageable.
It took me years before I was brave enough to try a fall and winter garden. Now, I wouldn’t miss it! If you’re a beginner gardener, I think fall is one of the best times to get started.
What Are We Picking?
If you still have healthy, productive summer vegetables, enjoy those last harvests!
Tomatoes are a great example. If your plants are still producing and look healthy, there’s no reason to pull them just because the calendar says November. However, if you notice signs of disease, remove the entire plant.
Once healthy tomato plants finish producing, I recommend cutting them at the base rather than pulling them out. Leaving the roots in the soil allows them to decompose naturally, adding organic matter and supporting healthy soil structure and microorganisms.
What Are We Planting?
November is a wonderful time to plant cool-season vegetables. Some of my favorites include:
Leafy greens: Lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, arugula and kaleRoot vegetables: Carrots, beets, radishes and turnipsBrassicas: Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels sproutsOther favorites: Celery, snap peas, onions and garlic
Don’t forget your herbs! Cilantro, parsley, dill, chives, thyme, oregano and sage are all wonderful additions to the fall garden.
Brussels sprouts, celery and marigolds in the fall garden. | Courtesy of Kim MalstromTwo Tips for Your Fall Garden
1. Choose broccoli if you’re limited on space.
If you’re deciding between broccoli and cauliflower, my recommendation is broccoli. After you harvest the main head, broccoli keeps producing smaller side shoots, giving you additional harvests from the same plant.
Cauliflower is beautiful and delicious, but it generally produces one main head and takes up garden space for quite a while, so I tend to save it for when I have extra room.
Kim Malstrom holds a freshly harvested head of broccoli. | Courtesy of Kim Malstrom
2. Keep those carrot seeds moist!
Carrots can be frustrating to grow because their tiny seeds need consistent moisture to germinate. One trick I’ve had success with is covering the freshly planted area with wet cardboard.
Sprinkle your seeds over loose soil, lightly work them into the surface, water thoroughly and cover with cardboard. Keep the cardboard moist and check underneath regularly. Once you see little green leaves emerging, remove the cardboard so your seedlings can get sunlight.
Covering a freshly seeded carrot bed with cardboard helps keep the soil moist until the seeds sprout. | Courtesy of Kim MalstromWhat to Watch Out For
Cooler weather doesn’t mean we’re finished dealing with garden pests! Keep an eye out for aphids, cabbage worms and slugs and snails, especially around tender new growth.
Also, remember to adjust your irrigation timer. As temperatures cool and daylight hours shorten, your garden generally won’t need as much water as it did during summer.
Gardener’s To-Do ListRemove diseased or exhausted summer vegetables.Add compost to replenish garden beds and help retain moisture.Plant your favorite fall vegetables.Get onions and garlic in the ground.Plant snap peas and establish your fall herbs.Adjust irrigation timers for cooler weather.Harvest regularly to encourage continued production.Don’t Throw Away Those Pumpkins!
As we transition from Halloween to Christmas, don’t be so quick to toss those pumpkins! Here are a few ways to put them to good use:
Pumpkins and winter squash make easy fall decor, and their seeds can be saved for next year’s garden. | Courtesy of Kim MalstromEat them! Pumpkins and winter squash are delicious roasted, added to soups or used in all kinds of recipes. You can also save the seeds to experiment with growing your own next year.Feed the animals! Chickens and pigs love pumpkins, and plain, cooked pumpkin can be a healthy, fiber-rich addition to your dog’s food. I’m always collecting pumpkins for our pigs!Compost them! If they’re past their prime, chop them up and add them to your compost pile.
Before sending those pumpkins to the landfill, remember they can still provide food for your family, treats for your animals or nutrients for your garden!
Leftover pumpkins can become a treat for backyard animals like pigs, or be roasted for the dinner table. | Courtesy of Kim MalstromClosing Tip
If you’ve never planted a fall garden, don’t let it intimidate you. You don’t need years of experience or a huge garden to get started.
After 25 years of gardening, I’m still learning and experimenting. That’s one of the things I love most about it!
Fall is forgiving, fun and one of the most rewarding seasons to grow your own food. Start small, choose a few vegetables you enjoy eating and see what you can grow.
And remember, you don’t have to figure it all out on your own! If you’re a beginner gardener and aren’t sure what to plant, when to plant it or how to get the most out of your space, I’d love to help.
Happy November gardening!
Kim Malstrom is a Riverside-based vegetable garden designer, installer, and educator who helps beginners and families grow their own food. Find her on Instagram @kitchengardensbykim or visit kitchengardensbykim.com.
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