Extend the Garden Season
It is high summer now in my zone 6b garden. All the hopes that were poured into planting those seeds and seedlings back in April and May are coming to fruition now in a bountiful harvest of squashes, cucumbers, lettuces, peas, potatoes, green beans, and onions, plus delightful herb offerings.
My plan for gardening intensively (more plants in smaller areas) and organically, with straw mulch six inches deep, has paid off in virtually no weeding chores and very little watering. My losses to the bugs consist of 2 squash plants, one summer, one winter, to the, what else?, Squash Bug. It is mid-July and the weather has consisted of plentiful showers, hot, sunny days, and not-so-hot, agreeable nights.
My efforts have been rewarded trying some new things in this “first” garden of the growing season. I followed my Uncle Bob’s advice in harvesting onions while the roots were still firmly attached so they would not rot. Propping the cucumber vines onto a trellis prevented them sprawling everywhere and made harvesting easier. A new variety of potatoes fulfilled its promise of resistance to the voracious potato beetle.
Since the season this year has been good for gardens, and since Uncle Bob told me his daddy always planted his “second” garden on June 21st, I have decided to plant a “second” or fall garden. Usually, at this point in the summer season, I have no desire to go out in the heat and humidity and work in the garden. This year, however, I know the garden’s potential still lies in unharvested plantings of fall vegetables. It is just as exciting to plan this garden as it was to plan the spring garden.
I have made space for the fall garden by removing the dried snow pea vines, pulling up the stalks of bolted lettuce plants, and determining what can grow in between the rows of corn and dying potato vines. This is accomplished through diligent searching of gardening websites, contacting the local county extension office, and talking to Uncle Bob. I knew I could plant cool season crops again such as spinach, lettuce, peas, and beets but was not aware that second plantings of tomatoes and squash would result in harvesting these foods well into the fall.
So, I’ve ordered the seeds for the fall plantings of beets, kale, lettuce, and spinach. I’ve set out my little cabbage plants. I’ve planted two short rows of seed onions left over from the spring planting. I’ll mulch and water, if necessary, and I’ll watch my fall garden grow.
And soon it will be time to start my winter garden.
Diane Artz Furlong - gardenthroughtheseasons.blogspot.com - is a contributing Author of Jetfly Blog. For more related articles and reviews visit Jetfly Home & Garden Blog now. Also, for the Best up-to-date related Online Products, check out Jetfly Gardening & Plants Shop for Todays Current Online Deals.
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Comments
Thanks for this optimistic article! I really feel sad when my garden begins dying back, but I never thought of some of these ideas to extend my happy gardening days. I will definitely make plans to do some later gardening this year.
I enjoyed your article. I’d like to start a vegetable garden in my back yard, so this article is very timely for me. Thanks for all the useful information!
I have never realized that you can do a winter garden. Living in a snowy winter state can prohit even grass to grow. I like the ideaof 6 inches of straw. I wonder does it harbor mold and disease?
I am the worst when it comes to growing a garden! I do not know if I just was not born with a green thumb or I can’t get the concept down lol. This year, I actually managed to grow some tomatoes and I was so proud of them I have been eating them in EVERYTHING!
Sheila, I left a thin layer of straw mulch over much of my garden last winter. I did not have a winter garden. The mulch was left from the summer. When I planted my spring garden I just raked back the mulch and planted. I have had no problems with mold or disease.
I love fresh from the garden vegetables but alas I am no gardener.
I could almost taste the beets, lettuce, squash, snow peas all my favorites. I have just about convinced myself that I could do this.
I’d like to know more about the straw mulch. Is the main benefit no weeding? If so that’s wonderful because I absolutely detest weeding a garden! I think I’ll do a little research. Thanks!
I so much want to do a second garden too! But where I live it’s been in the humid nineties every day and I just can’t get out there! But if we get some days in the upper seventies, I am THERE! Great advice - Thanks!
I am Diane’s mother-in-law and I can attest to Diane’s bountiful vegetable and flower gardens. They are great. Many, many years ago I used to garden and I found when I spread a thick layer of straw among the tomato plants, the fruit did not get the bud rot. Coincidence maybe, but I say just try it, you’ll like not having to weed so much.
Very good article.I didnt realize you had time for the fall garden.Going to get mine planted today so hoply will have tomatoes this fall.
Oh how I would love to grow my own fruits and veggies! I need to learn some more about gardening. Sounds like a great hobby with a lot of work, but I have loads of free time.
Great post! I am thinking of making my own garden too. I really want to grow some herbs and fruits. I think food just costs too much these days and if I’ll get to trade it with friends and neighbors then that’s a plus. Thanks for the post!
Great article. I am growing my first vegetable garden and just that one simple idea of planting something in between rows of corn have given me some ideas. There’s still time for fall planting, so I can extend the life of my garden thanks to your article.
In Florida we are used to multiple plantings. But I did not realize how significant it was to plant certain plants for spring/summer and fall/winter. And I appreciate your suggestion about the mulch. I am definitely going to try it when I do my next planting.
What a nice post. I love my garden, but in the heat of the summer often don’t want to go out and take care of it. I only grow flowers at the moment, but your article makes me want to branch out into fruits and vegetables. My children would love that I think.
I have always wanted to get into gardening but I have had no luck. I live in California so I think I can get away with planting anything anytime but with my past experience of buying herbs and putting them in my kitchen window, everything died within a week. I tried this twice and the same thing happened both times. I dont think I would take a chance and invest in an outdoor garden because of my past experience.
I enjoyed your article. I’d like to start a vegetable garden in my back yard, so this article is very timely for me. Thanks for all the useful information!
I would love to have some raised beds in my garden to grow herbs and maybe some salad vegetables. Unfortunately i never seem to find the time or the energy to make a start in turning this ambition into a reality. Your article really inspired me! Speaking as a non-gardener (as yet), i always thought that the reason some cabbages grow so big is so that there is enough food for the bugs and also for the gardener too! 
Thanks everyone for the wonderful comments. It’s great to hear that there are so many of you who want to start gardens or try new things in the ones you already have. I think it is a natural human inclination to get down and dig in the earth and plant seeds that will grow into foods that will sustain us.
A terrific article — and funny! It almost makes me want to go into MY garden and plant something! But it’s too hot.