Fall Garden Planning

Time to start thinking about and planning the fall garden! I know it’s only the beginning of July, but if I am going to start plants from seed, the time is now and cabbage, broccoli and brussel sprouts are among my favorite vegetables so I was very disappointed to lose them to the cabbage looper.

The first predicted frost date for this area is somewhere between October 11 and 20. If I count back 12-14 weeks, I’ll need to put the plan into action by the week of 7/14.

The Plan

What are we planting?

• Broccoli
• Brussel Sprouts
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Carrots
• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Peas
• Radishes
• Garlic
• Shallots

Location, location, location:

We’ll be planting our fall garden in the raised beds. We purposely did not plant anything in the middle bed this summer except cover crops, which we will chop and drop up until the first week of planting.

Additionally, we will plant in our cold frames.

12-14 Weeks Before:

• Indoors, start the brassicas: cabbage, brussel sprouts and cauliflower
• Outdoors, direct sow lettuce and beans.

10-12 Weeks Before:

• Three weeks after starting the brassicas, set them outside–preferably on a cool day. If the rest of the summer is anything like June has been, I’ll probably push this step a little bit and keep the seedlings in the cool of the basement until the heat and humidity subside.
• Direct sow carrots, lettuce, peas, radishes and more beans.

8-10 Weeks Before:

• Direct sow spinach and more lettuce

6 to 8 weeks Before:

• Direct sow even more lettuce and spinach in the cold frames. I’m staggering the lettuce and spinach so I can harvest it for longer into the fall and (with any luck) winter.

The Week of the First Frost:

• Plant garlic (everywhere) and shallots. I think I will be more likely to take the time to plant a ton of garlic at this time. One, it will be cooler and two, I won’t be rushing to get everything in the ground.

That is the plan. I’m happy to be starting more broccoli and cabbage for the fall. I’m also excited to get the brussel sprouts going. The seeds I sowed directly did not even make an appearance so hopefully starting them indoors will temper their stage fright.

Planning for the fall
Cabbage loopers take a note
Victory is mine!