Fall Vegetable Gardening: Your Guide to Healthy Harvests and Edible Spaces

September in East Bay vegetable gardens is when we transition from the bounty of summer into the cozy embrace of fall and eventually winter. Whether you're a seasoned green thumb, or someone who appreciates the peaceful company of plants while working from home, fall is the perfect time to discover the more relaxed pace of cool-season edible gardening.

The Best Vegetables to Plant This Fall

The cool, crisp air of fall is ideal for veggies that not only thrive in cooler temperatures but also promise to enliven up your meals with fresh, homegrown flavors. Here are some of our top picks:

1. Leafy Greens: Think all kinds of Lettuces, Arugula, Spinach, Kale, and Swiss Chard. These leafy wonders are not just nutritious powerhouses but also incredibly forgiving if you're still honing your gardening skills. Plus, these greens grow quickly from seed, or you can use starts to get a jump on your season. Pretty soon you'll be making hearty salads and tender sauteed greens for dinner.
   
   
2. Root Vegetables: Carrots and Beets are often preferred to plant as starts, while Radishes and Turnips grow quickly from seed. They all love the cooler soil and as the weather gets chilly, they tend to get sweeter. As winter rolls in, their growth will slow down and they can hang out in the ground for a little longer until you’re ready to harvest.
   
   
3. Brassicas: Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage, and Brussels Sprouts are the superstars of autumn gardening. Because of their size they require more space between plants and will take several weeks longer to mature than other fall veggies, especially as the days grow shorter with the approach of winter solstice. For this reason we recommend planting healthy starts–-unless you started a tray of seedlings way back in August. Either way, the robust flavors of Brassicas are worth every effort.
   
   
4. Legumes: Peas, especially the Sugar Snap varieties, are a delightful addition to your fall garden. They thrive in cooler weather which is why they’re so popular in early spring. Pea seeds are easy to plant, grow fast, and are a satisfying snack straight from the garden. Remember to set up your trellis system when you plant them so their tendrils can grab on and your peas can grow happily undisturbed.
   
   
5. Herbs: Don’t forget about herbs like Cilantro, Parsley, and Chives, which can all be grown from seed or from starts. Many herb plants relish the cooler temperatures and will add bright, zesty flavors to all your kitchen creations.
   
   

Adapting to Smaller Growing Spaces

Not everyone has a sprawling backyard, and let’s be honest, sometimes those squirrels just don't respect property lines. But fear not, small spaces can still yield big rewards with container gardening and small-scale raised beds. Here’s how you can maximize your harvest, even in limited spaces:

• Choose the Right Containers for Your Space: The best part about container gardening is its flexibility. Use pots, window boxes, wine barrel planters, or even repurpose old buckets. Just make sure they have really good drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
  
  
• Use Quality Potting Soil For Containers: If you’re growing in containers, invest in a good-quality potting soil such as Fox Farm's Ocean Harvest that is designed for the job. It’s essential for retaining moisture and providing the necessary nutrients your plants need.
   
• Use Quality Soil Mixes for Beds: If you need to revitalize your summer beds for fall planting, start by adding organic compost to help replace soil nutrients. If you’re starting a brand new bed, or need to fluff up the soil volume in an existing one, we recommend E.B. Stone’s Raised Bed Mix.
  
  
• Companion Planting: Pair plants that grow well together. For instance, plant radishes alongside carrots; by the time the carrots need more space, the radishes will have been harvested and eaten. Also, interplant herbs among your slower growing veggies. They help with warm weather pest control and will brighten up your cooking.
  
  

Caring for Your Autumn Garden

Keeping your garden healthy and productive without resorting to harmful chemicals is vital for you and the pollinators we all cherish. Here are some tips:

• Feeding Your Plants: Depending on what your potting mix or raised bed amendments contain, your plants might still need some extra nutrition. One easy technique is to add a watery drench of fish emulsion and liquid kelp to perk up your starts right after transplant; it does wonders to reduce transplant shock. If your veggies are not growing vigorously with deep green leaves, they might need some food. Side-dress them gently with a granular vegetable fertilizer and water it in.
  
  
• Regular Watering: Fall can be deceptive with its cooler days, but your plants will still need consistent hydration. If September and October temperatures soar, protect your seedlings and starts by keeping the soil moist so the plants don’t fry. You can also rig up a makeshift shade cloth if the weather becomes unseasonably hot.
  
  
• Natural Pest Control: While the weather is warm, you can still introduce beneficial insects like Ladybugs before they go into their winter dormancy. They’re natural predators to pests such as aphids that may still be lurking in your garden. But, in general, pest pressure gets much lower as the temps get colder. This is one of the very best reasons to grow cool season veggies.
  
  
• Mulching: Organic mulch will help your new veggies retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and gradually adds nutrients back into the soil as the mulch components break down. But be very careful to not crowd or overwhelm your seedlings or starts with wood chip mulches. Veggies prefer smaller, finer textured mulches such as dried grass clippings, chopped straw, or crushed dry leaves. Save your valuable wood chips for your trees, shrubs, and perennials.
  
  

Embrace the Edible Fall Season

Fall vegetable gardening allows you to enjoy nurturing edible plants at a more leisurely pace than during the spring planting frenzy. Whether you're cultivating in containers or growing in garden beds, you can produce homegrown vegetables to make delicious fall and winter meals.

If you need advice about Fall Veggies or any of your garden plants, please come visit us at the nursery. Our friendly staff of plant lovers will be happy to help you out. Happy Fall Gardening from all of us at Evergreen Nursery!