This will be one of those blogs that’s half article, half public service announcement. It’s very easy to get swept up in the joys and chores of summer gardening. Our veggies are really coming into their own, our lawns all need care, and there’s landscaping to do. Also, weeding—it seems like we’re all behind on weeding this year! With all that going on it’s sometimes difficult to remember that autumn gardening season is sneaking up on us and now’s the time to start planning our fall gardens. So, take this as both a helpful guide and a call to action; both a gentle reminder to start planning your fall gardens now and a brief guide/checklist of things to think about as you do. Let’s dig in and get our fall gardens underway!
Whether you’ve been working with it for years or you’re new to the space, the first thing to do is consider what fall conditions will be like in your garden. The sun will be lower in the sky and the days will be getting shorter. Where will the sun fall? How much sun will you get each day? Parts of your garden that get full sun in summer may get more shade in fall and winters, so take note and adjust accordingly. No matter the season, all plants need appropriate conditions and part of garden planning is anticipating how conditions change throughout the year.
Speaking of garden conditions: when was the last time you had your soil tested? Now could be a good time to take some samples and have them tested by a local soil testing service or your local cooperative extension office. Good soil testing will tell you about your soil conditions and what type of fertilizer or amendments you may need to add in order to keep your plants healthy. As with sun and temperature, your soil conditions will need to be right for the plants you install so plan ahead and amend your soil as needed ahead of planting time.
Now is also the time to start considering what you’d like to plant in your fall garden, especially if you plan on growing fall veggies this autumn. What you plant will depend greatly on your location, but popular choices include greens like collards, kale, and spinach, peas and beans, or fast growing root veggies like radishes. Most of us don’t need to start our fall seeds just yet, but that time is approaching quickly and it’s very easy to get behind. Take a moment now and think about what you’d like to plant and start the process of gathering seeds and seed starting supplies; you’ll save yourself the rush and frustration of trying to do it all last minute!
We’ll leave you with one final thought: we know this sounds like a lot to do so right now take a deep breath and remind yourself that this is your garden. It can be as big or as small as suites you, it can contain the veggies or flowers you want to grow, and you can invest as much time into as you want and your schedule allows. Don’t feel the pressure to create the perfect fall garden or do it all correctly this autumn season—we’re all still learning and adjusting along the way. Whatever it is you do with your fall garden, make sure you enjoy it and that it works for you!
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