At Home Living: Jamie Hancock oultines steps to plant a fall garden

Its the middle of July. The heat index is over 100 degrees. I have cracks in my yard. My grass is dormant. My water bill is growing faster than my flowers. My air conditioned living room is looking pretty good. Stick a fork in me, Im done! Is anyone else feeling this way?

July is a tough time even for the most diligent gardener. If you werent an early riser before you may be now just to beat the heat. Then, I come along and encourage you to plant a new garden for fall. Yes, digging, planting, watering. Ugh! Has she lost her mind? No, and I have not had a heat stroke.

The end of July and the first part of August are great times to get a new crop started that will be harvested at, before, or just after frost. Some crops may even carry into winter up until Christmas. Believe it or not, a little frost can greatly enhance the flavor of many of your favorite vegetables. Vegetable quality for preserving can be better also.

Summer Crops Continue

With care, many of your current crops, like tomatoes, okra, peppers, New Zealand spinach, eggplant, and sweet potato will continue to produce into fall. Cucumbers, summer squash, and beans can be grown as fall crops. Peas dont adapt well to the cooler weather.

Fall Crops

Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts are listed as fall crops. Broccoli and cauliflower may take a little more effort to nurture in the heat. Potato seed pieces from fresh potatoes will rot easily in warm soils. Use the older potatoes in your pantry that are beginning to sprout. Cut pieces 3-4 days before planting and allow them to heal over at room temperature. This will help prevent decay.

Adequate moisture is necessary for beets and carrots to develop properly. Cover them with light compost to help retain moisture and prevent crusty soil.

Various types of lettuce can handle a light frost. The outer leaves may burn slightly, but the center leaves may survive quite nicely. Bibb or head lettuce are two that seem to withstand that first light frost.

Spinach and kale have been reported to overwinter with a light mulch. This gives them a head start in your garden in spring!

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At Home Living: Jamie Hancock oultines steps to plant a fall garden