With summer coming to an end, you may feel like there is no time left to plant more vegetables. After all, didn’t you spend the last few months planting and caring for your garden? But there are quite a few vegetables you can plant in early September that will be ready for the picking before year’s end. So if you’re looking to extend your gardening season a little bit longer, here are some vegetables you can plant now for a fall harvest!
Optimal Late Summer Growing Conditions
The end of summer is the time when gardens are bursting with produce. But as the days get shorter and the nights get colder, plants begin to shut down their growth cycle in preparation for winter. It’s essential to provide them with optimal growing conditions, giving them plenty of sunlight, water, and nutrients to encourage your new plants to start producing through the late summer months and into fall. It’s also essential to protect them from extreme temperatures, whether providing shade during hot days or covering them with a frost blanket when overnight temperatures start to dip. You can enjoy a bountiful harvest well into the autumn months with a little extra care.
Vegetables You Can Plant Now For A Fall Harvest
While you may no longer be able to grow traditional summer crops like tomatoes and cucumbers, plenty of vegetables thrive in the cooler weather of late summer and early fall. Here are some of the best vegetables to plant in September:
Spinach
Planting spinach in late summer may seem counterintuitive, but with some planning, you can enjoy a delicious fall harvest. Spinach is a cool-weather crop, so it thrives in the cooler temperatures of autumn. You can take advantage of the cooler weather by planting in August or September and extending your growing season. Just be sure to select a variety of spinach suited to your climate.
Choose a heat-resistant variety if you live in a region with warm fall weather. And don’t forget to water regularly; even though the weather is cooler, your plants will still need plenty of moisture to thrive. With a little effort, you can enjoy a delicious fall crop of spinach.
Collards
Collards are another cool-weather crop that gets sweeter after a frost. Collards are also relatively low-maintenance and can be easily grown in most climates. Start with healthy plants from a nursery or garden center to get the best results. Once you’ve selected your plants, prepare the soil well before planting. Collards prefer well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. If you live in an area with heavy clay soil, you may need to amend the soil with sand or compost to improve drainage.
Once the soil is ready, plant the collards 18-24 inches apart in rows 2-3 feet apart. Be sure to keep the plants well-watered, especially during dry weather. With proper care, your collards should be ready to harvest in late fall or early winter.
Carrots
Summer may close, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to plant a fall garden. Late summer is the perfect time to sow seeds for many crops, including carrots. Carrots need a long, cool growing season to develop their signature sweetness, so planting them in late summer will give them plenty of time to mature before the first frost. When choosing a variety for planting, look for a “fall” or ” storage” variety known for its good flavor and storage qualities.
Once you’ve selected your seeds, sow them in well-drained soil and keep them moist until they germinate. Remember to protect them from extreme cold by covering the plants with a frost blanket or straw. With patience, you’ll be able to enjoy fresh carrots into winter.