An autumn garden can bring extraordinary rewards. As summer comes to a close, morph your summer garden into a lovely tapestry of greens for a delicious fall harvest that will grow well in cooler temperatures. Brussel sprouts, cabbage, radishes, mustard greens, and spinach are great ideas for a fall garden.

Fall is also a great time for beginners to get started. Fall gardens can provide seeds with faster germination in warm soil, and the cooler weather is enjoyable to work in outside. It also will give beginners a chance to try their hand at gardening in preparation for spring. Whatever your motivation for fall gardening, here are a few tips to help get you started.

First, you will want to select a planting date. Next, determine the number of days to maturity for the type of vegetable you choose to plant. Then, count back the number of days from the first average frost date to determine the date to plant.

Once you’ve determined your planting date, you’ll want to remove any summer garden plants that are no longer growing well or have already harvested. After your current garden is clear, work in some compost or fresh soil to give your new plants a good start. It’s essential to keep your newly planted seeds well watered during this time, giving them plenty of time to germinate in a moist bed. Even short bursts of drought can damage the growth of many fall plants.

Now that your vegetables are underway, watch for pests and diseases. These little seedlings can attract a long list of pests! Look specifically for holes or spots on the leaves and deal with pests or diseases immediately to minimize damage.

When you want to start getting ready for your fall garden, visit us at the Garden Center to get all the supplies you’ll need for a successful garden. Even though we are building our new Garden Center, you can still come in and get some great deals! We hope to see you soon!