Fall vegetable gardens

Even though here, in mid-July, most of our gardens are on the decline, now is the time to begin planning our fall gardens. A fall vegetable garden is a challenge, but well worth the effort if some basic gardening principles are followed. A well cared for fall garden can be quite rewarding, but it may require more attention due to increased pressures from insects, diseases and weeds. And don’t forget the deer! They seem determined to get their share of our garden bounty.

Even in mid-July, several warm season vegetables can be planted from seed. These include okra, squash, field peas and lima beans. Some cool season crops that can be planted in August are beets, cabbage, collards, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, lettuce, English peas, kale, mustard, turnips and Irish potatoes. Now is the time to do some careful planning for these later maturing crops.

Preparation for the fall garden, as for any garden, is most important. All dead and dying plant material should be tilled under to discourage disease buildup and encourage plant decomposition. If diseases or nematodes are evident, the infected plants should be removed from the garden and burned rather than tilled under. When tilled, the soil should be worked to a depth of 8 to 10 inches or deeper if possible. The area should then be raked smooth in order to create a good seedbed.

Beware of soil fungi such as Rhizoctonia when establishing the fall garden. These pathogens can inhibit seed germination or kill the young seedlings after they germinate. One way to prevent this is to coat the seeds with a fungicide such as Captan or Thiram powder. Put the seeds in a bag and add a small amount of fungicide (about a teaspoon per pound of seed) and a few drops of water. Shake then plant.

Fertilizer and lime should be applied according to soil test results. Remember, most vegetables prefer a pH of between 6.0 and 6.5. One way to make the most of your fertilizer is to split the applications in two or three separate applications. To do this, apply one third of it at planting and offer the rest in one or two side dressings.

Watch weeds! They are very persistent this time of year and will take over the garden if you are not careful. Use herbicides, such as Treflan, at planting or cultivate as shallow and as often as possible, being careful to avoid plant roots. Mulch if possible.

Watering the fall garden is also an important consideration. On light, sandy soils, about three fourths of an inch per application twice per week is recommended. On heavier, clay type soils, it is best to water, in the absence of rain, once per week about one to one and one half inches.

Insects are a major concern for the fall gardener, since their numbers tend to be greater this time of year than in the spring. Stinkbugs and leaf-footed bugs are particular nuisances. Pesticides containing pyrethroids are relatively effective for controlling these, but must be applied every seven to 10 days for best results. These include products containing permethrin, bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, beta-cyfluthrin or fenpropathrin as the active ingredient.

Flea beetles can be a real problem on leafy greens. Inspect plants carefully every few days for signs of infestation and spray or dust when necessary. Remember to protect pollinator bees by refraining from applying chemicals early in the day while the bees are active.

The July heat, I am certain, is taking its toll on your beloved tomato plants. So, in order to keep the harvest coming past next month, why not propagate some of your best plants now? Do this by taking healthy stem tip cuttings, about 6 inches long, removing the bottom one-third of the leaves, dipping the cut ends in rooting hormone, and placing them in small pots. Water well and place in bright, indirect light. Rooting should occur in about two weeks. Once healthy roots are formed, transplant the plants in the garden for a late crop of tomatoes.

Cooler weather is not that far away, and with it comes the promise of good quality vegetables, fresh from the garden. Better get started!

Tim Lewis is a Georgia Green Industry Association certified plant professional, gardening writer, former Perry High School horticulture instructor and former horticulturalist at Henderson Village and Houston Springs. He and his wife, Susan, own and operate Lewis Farms Nursery located on Highway 26, two miles east of Elko, where he was born and raised. He can be reached at (478) 954-1507, timlewis1@windstream.net and at LewisFarmsNursery.com.

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