There are a few things I'm almost certain I want to grow, like spinach, which is so wonderful fresh from the garden, especially compared to grocery store spinach. Other Fall crops I love include beets, kale and chard. Because I like to experiment, I got some artichoke seeds so I can try a Fall planting just to see what happens. But that still leaves some space in my garden for several more crops. (I have three smallish beds with varying levels of sun exposure, plus lots and lots of containers.)
So, any suggestions? What are your favorite Fall crops, and what tasty or unusual cool-weather vegetables to you like to grow?
we are in new york. we put our artichoke plant in early this season not knowing what to expect. it got enormous and is producing beautiful artichokes. as far as i know the plant is perennial.
i have put in a second planting of beets, arugula, and spinach and i am hoping to get some broccoli and cabbage in the ground before too long.
Kohlrabi is a fun, weird thing to grow. Also brussel sprouts get a bum rap, but they're really good from the garden.
I love brussel sprouts! I tried to grow them a couple of years ago, but started too late, I think. I think I will try again this year. What variety have your grown? Any tips?
I'm sure you know fresh broccoli is sweet. I recommend it. I'm going to seed some in a couple weeks, keep it in part shade, then move it into raised beds when my watermelon finishes. Last fall/winter I also had delicious bok choy. I liked our cauliflower but didn't find it all that much better than store bought so I'm going for more broc this year.
Of course, lettuces, too.
where do you get your seeds from? I've seen seeds offered at the local hardware store or even at the grocery store but is there a better place to get them, maybe of heirloom varieties?
That's so funny! I was just going to ask that question. In the past, I've ordered seeds online from SeedSavers.org, SeedsofChange.com and Botanical Interests. At the moment, I'm looking for some California-based seed companies, because I'd like to get some varities that I know work well in my climate. Any suggestions?
artichokes from our garden in santa monica area are great. broccoli and cauliflower are definitely on our list this fall.
hopefully some of our pumpkin, squash and cantaloupe will be ready to harvest too.
I'm in your area, I believe (northeast L.A.) and I have to remind you that August through September tends to be the hottest time of the year. We usually have a good couple of weeks over 100 degrees. So don't start seeding too early, particularly if you're direct-sowing. You can probably start seeds indoors, but bear in mind a planting-out date when the scorching days have passed. I think you can start direct-sowing by mid-to-late Sept., with snap and snow peas, for example, which is the kind of crop with which you will undoubtedly have success and will relish beyond expression. If it's the first time you're planting them and it's in an area that has not recently grown other legumes (beans, favas, etc.) then you might try to use an inoculant this first time when you sow. Likely a mail order item. Perhaps Burkart's (Pasadena) or Sunset Nursery (Silver Lake) has innoculant. Peaceful Valley Farm and Garden supply is in CA, but I'd get seeds from Territorial Seed Co (Oregon), which has an excellent catalog.You can also order onion and garlic bulbs to grow from them. We've had unbelievable success with both. Be prepared to plant them where they can stay for 10 months. Leeks and various alliums, broccoli raab and other cole crops, kohlrabi, as someone mentioned, which can be expensive in the market, some herbs and flowers that attract beneficials (scabiosa, calendula, feverfew, chamomile, borage, etc.), carrots, radishes, turnips, etc. Check the L.A County Extension gardening website, which tells you what to plant month-by-month. But also take it with a grain of salt, since it doesn't differentiate by region. We simply don't have the growing conditions as someone would in the South Bay, for example. Extreme heat for us is as bad as frost for others in more seasonal climates. Also, don't forget to go to local nurseries (I'm partial to Sunset Nursery) for seeds. They tend to carry the ones we can grow in our region. Sunset carries Seeds of Change (which is owned by M&M Mars, so don't be too sentimental about them), Renee's, Botanical Interest, and the Italian seed co whose name escapes me. I'm all for heirloom and organic varieties and make a special effort to preserve seed, but you will undoubtedly have success with some hybrids in, for example, the cole crop. My feeling is that I've little space to grow vegetables and can't afford crops that are spartan producers or which are prone to disease and insect attack. You will still be a good person...
Botanical Interests is a great company. It's family owned and very small. I go out of my way buy their seeds. I admit I did work for them many years ago for a short time, so I know for sure how passionate they are about their seeds.