Fall planting time is here
By Ann Briggs
WSU Chelan/Douglas County Master Gardener
What’s that you say, fall planting … now? It’s true! Even though we’re still in the heat of summer, now is the time to get started with your fall garden crops.
Our hot summer temperatures will moderate quickly in August as days become noticeably shorter. And, because the soil is warm, seeds planted in late summer will germinate faster than in the spring — many within a few days instead of the typical 10 to 14 days in the spring.
Leafy greens are good candidates for fall gardening. Those include lettuce, spinach, arugula, kale, Swiss chard and mustard greens. Many leafy greens will not germinate in temperatures above 85 degrees, but if you start them indoors you can control the temperature and then transplant the seedlings into the garden. Transplant them into an area that is sheltered from hot afternoon sun or use a shade cloth to protect them from high heat.
Cilantro is another good cool-weather crop. Instead of spindly growth that quickly bolts and goes to seed in hot weather, the plant slows down in cooler temperatures to produce leafy sprigs for all of your culinary uses.
Root crops such as carrots, beets, parsnips and turnips will also thrive in fall’s cooler temperatures and will benefit from a light frost, making them even more flavorful. That’s due to a process where the plant converts starches to sugar. It’s sort of a natural anti-freeze to help the plant’s root cells tolerate colder temperatures. That conversion means sweet goodness for you!
Fall-grown crops of peas and beans can be a bit of a gamble because germination is “hit and miss” in higher temperatures, but once they emerge, they’ll grow quickly. Try planting a couple of rows of snow or snap peas in late July or at the beginning of August for a late-season treat.
If you are going to be planting in a bed that you used for your summer garden, be sure to add some compost or vegetable fertilizer to replenish the nutrients in the soil. Another critical element for a successful fall garden is consistent watering. You’ll want to keep the top two inches of soil moist to aid in germination and help cool the soil. You might need to water daily or even twice a day to keep the young roots from drying out.
With a little bit of effort now, you can enjoy fresh garden vegetables well into the autumn months.
A WSU Chelan-Douglas County Master Gardener column appears weekly in The Wenatchee World. To learn more, visit bit.ly/MGchelandouglas or call (509) 667-6540.