As fall approaches, Southeast Texas gardeners are being encouraged to make the most of the transitional season by planting a secondary crop of vegetables. David Oates, a gardening expert, shared insights on how to navigate the shift from summer to fall gardening.
“We’re very fortunate here in Southeast Texas to have kind of a mini season,” said Oates. “We’re not quite fall, but we’re inching out of the summer season, so we’re cooling off. We can actually do a secondary crop of some fall vegetables.”
Oates highlighted tomatoes as a prime crop for this period, noting that they can be planted in the small window before the first frost. “Tomatoes are a good crop that we can do right here in this small window before the frost comes,” he said. “You might be able to squeeze in maybe a few more cucumbers and squash.”
Gardeners are advised to assess their current plants and decide whether to start fresh or continue with existing crops. “If they’re damaged, you know, from disease and things like that, it’s probably better just to go ahead and pull those out and start fresh,” Oates explained. “If your plants still look healthy, you can provide some of your tomatoes back and give them a second start.”
Oates also emphasized the importance of soil preparation during this transitional period. “Now’s a good time to really focus on upgrading that soil in your garden,” he said. “Adding compost soil amendments now, in the cooler season, gives those spring gardens a time to kind of, you know, let that material kind of work itself into the soil and get established.”
With unpredictable weather in the region, Oates advised gardeners to take advantage of cooler days to work in their gardens. “In between the rain showers, you know, it’s a great time to work in the garden when it’s cooler,” he said.
For those without a garden, Oates reassured that gardening in Southeast Texas is a year-round opportunity. “If something doesn’t cooperate or you don’t get a good crop, just wait a couple of months and you can start again and try something different,” he said.
As the fall season approaches, local feed stores and hardware stores are expected to have a variety of transplants available for gardeners looking to make the most of this transitional period.
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