Fall Vegetable Gardening is Fun and Rewarding

by Robin Pollack, Fulton County Master Gardener Extension Volunteer

This article is part of Garden Buzz, a series from Appen Media and the North Fulton Master Gardeners, where rotating columnists explore horticulture topics like herbs, insects, and wildlife conservation. Find all Garden Buzz articles here.

A lot of people think that the end of the summer means the end of their vegetable gardening for the year. But there are many vegetables that grow best in the fall weather and can be enjoyed all winter long. Try growing a second crop of cool season vegetables in your garden and pots. I like fall gardening because the temperatures are mild, diseases can be low if it’s dry, and insects can be less troublesome once the temperature drops.

In order to calculate the planting date, the average first frost date in North Fulton officially is Nov. 15, but that is the average. It may be earlier or later. All of Georgia is within hardiness zones 7-8.

To prepare your garden for planting, clear debris from summer planting. For existing beds add 1 inch of organic matter. For new beds add 2-4 inches. Remove rocks and sticks for growing root crops. Get a soil test for analysis of your soil and fertilize according to the recommendations. Some plants need more fertilizer than others, so refer to the info labels on the plants. Applying mulch at planting time helps conserve moisture, prevent weeds and moderate soil temperature.

In order to maintain your garden, apply mulch 2-4 inches deep and keep the mulch away from the crown of plants to avoid rot and mildew. Pests are less prevalent in the fall, but physical, cultural and biological controls will minimize them. Remember, follow the instructions of pesticide labels. More is not better and may be very harmful.

At the end of the season, add organic matter and be sure to clear debris from the beds that can shelter pests. It is also a good time to clean and store garden tools.

Winter vegetables such as beets, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale and spinach and an assortment of greens like arugula, lettuce and Swiss chard can be grown in the fall and winter. They can be grown in raised beds, containers or in the ground.

Crops for Your Fall Vegetable Garden

Beets

Beets are a southern favorite. They are quick growing and need full sun. They also need good root drainage and soil high in potassium. They can tolerate cold and some frost. Don’t forget the tops of the beets. Beet greens are edible and nutritious too. Harvest when the bulb shows on top the size you want.

Broccoli

Broccoli needs a sunny area with room to grow. Keep them evenly watered but avoid watering the heads, just the soil around them. Broccoli is also a heavy feeder and needs adequate, regular fertilization. Harvest when the heads of the buds are firm and tight.

Cabbage

Cabbage is a cool-season crop that can be grown in both the fall and spring. It can be harvested when the cabbage head is nice and firm. They are heavy feeders and will need to be fertilized regularly.

Cauliflower

Cauliflower has similar care requirements as broccoli, so plant them in a sunny spot and water evenly. They grow well in cool weather but don’t like temperatures below 60 degrees, so use frost cloth to extend the growing season.

Collards

Collards will withstand a wide range of temperatures. They are a very popular green in Georgia and exceed cabbage, turnip greens and spinach in fat and, protein and carbs. Some other cool-season greens include mustards and Swiss chard.

Kale

Kale is a member of the cabbage family. It’s not only a superfood, but also a super plant tolerating cold and frost and grows well in gardens and in pots. Harvest when the leaves are about the size of your hand. Choose the smaller tender leaves for salads and the large for cooking.

Lettuce

Lettuce is one of the most giving veggies you can plant since you can harvest the greens several times. Plant a blend of different types of lettuce for variety like romaine, butterhead and arugula. Because of its shallow root system, it is great to grow in shallow containers.

Spinach

Spinach is simple to grow. It prefers sun but is one of the few vegetables that can tolerate partial sun. It’s also tough in cold weather, even handling some frost. If you wait to harvest, the more bitter the leaves become. Pick the outer leaves giving the center ones time to grow.

Growing vegetables can be a year-round activity in the South. In addition to needing 6-8 hours of sun, be sure and add a layer of pine straw in winter to protect them. In case of a freeze, water veggies well and use a frost cloth for overnight protection. Growing your own vegetables is one of the most rewarding things to grow in the garden.

Happy gardening!

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Learn More

• Winter Vegetable Planting Demonstration by North Fulton Master Gardener Robin Pollack
• Fall Vegetable Gardening (UGA Extension)
• Fall Gardening: A Collection of Information and Resources (UGA Extension)
• Vegetable Garden Calendar (UGA Extension)
• Vegetable Planting Chart (UGA Extension)
• Soil Testing (UGA Extension Fulton County)

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