February 2011 Articles

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It's time for fall vegetable gardening

It’s time for fall vegetable gardening By Dan Gill, LSU AgCenter Horticulturist
Although September weather is often still hot, vegetable gardeners begin to anticipate the cooler weather to come. It is now that we begin to focus on planting cool-season vegetables that will grow and produce during fall, winter and spring. September is a transitional month, however, and warm-season vegetables are also in the garden this time of year. Most warm-season vegetables, like tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers, should have been planted back in August for fall production. In south Louisiana, adventurous gardeners may plant warm-season vegetables as late as the first week of September and hope the first freezes hold off until December. Vegetable and herb gardening seasons can be roughly divided into the cool season and warm season. Vegetable gardeners must be especially attuned to the seasons and observe carefully the proper planting times. These times relate to a variety of factors, but temperature is a major consideration. Warm-season vegetables cannot withstand frost without significant injury or death. They are grown from March through November, divided up into the spring planting season (March, April), the summer planting season (May, June, July) and the fall planting season (August). Cool-season vegetables are grown roughly from September to May. They need cooler temperatures to perform their best and are able to tolerate the below-freezing temperatures of the winter cool season. Cool-season vegetables are planted primarily in the late summer and fall (September, October, November) and spring (February, March), although planting may continue through the winter – particularly in south Louisiana. Bush snap beans can be planted as late as the first week in September and still be expected to produce before the first frosts. Bush varieties produce faster and concentrate their harvest in a shorter period of time than pole beans, making them preferred for fall planting. As we move into the cool season, root crops such as carrot, radish, parsnip, rutabaga and turnip are an important part of the garden. Root crops are always direct seeded – never transplanted. The tiny root first produced by the seed eventually develops into the edible root. It is easily damaged by transplanting when the seedling is young, and this damage will cause a deformed, poor-quality final product. Plant seeds of bulbing onions, bunching onions and leeks this month. Sets (small bulbs) of bunching onions and shallots also may be planted this month, but do not plant sets of bulbing onions until early December. Onions, shallots, leeks and garlic (garlic toes are planted next month) are long-term residents in the cool-season vegetable garden. Those harvested for their bulbs will not be ready to harvest until late May or early June next year. Green onions (scallions) and green shallots are harvested through winter into spring. Work also must be done in the herb garden. Regularly remove the flower spikes of basil to encourage plants to continue to produce leaves. Ultimately, the plants will begin to wind down. Basil transplants could still be planted now for a quick, late crop. Herbs such as sage, lavender, thyme and catnip should begin to revive as the weather gets cooler. Remove any dead parts and fertilize the plants lightly to encourage new growth. Generously harvest herbs that have grown vigorously during the summer. Dry or freeze the extra harvest or share it with friends. Watering This month can be hot and dry, and with new plants going in, you should pay careful attention to the water needs of the garden. Newly planted transplants and seed beds are especially vulnerable to drought conditions and may need frequent – even daily – irrigation. As seeds come up and transplants become established, water deeply and less frequently to encourage a deep root system. Pest control High populations of insects are around now, so be vigilant and treat problems promptly. If a crop is about to finish up, such as okra is now, you generally should not be as concerned about controlling pests on it as on a vegetable crop that has more recently been planted. Caterpillars can be particularly troublesome in the fall garden. Regular applications of Bt will keep their damage to a minimum. Control white flies and aphids with a light paraffinic horticultural oil, such as Year Round Oil Spray or All Seasons Oil. The LSU AgCenter’s Vegetable Planting Guide is an excellent reference that includes year-round planting dates for vegetables. Contact your parish LSU AgCenter office for a free copy, or view it online at www.lsuagcenter.com in the Lawn and Garden Home Vegetable section. Vegetables that can be planted this month include beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, collards, English and snow peas, Irish potatoes (plant small, whole potatoes saved from the spring crop), kale, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, mustard, onion, radish, rutabagas, shallots (plant sets), snap beans, Swiss chard and turnips. Herbs to plant include rosemary, parsley, chervil, sage, thyme, fennel, oregano, French tarragon, chives, garlic chives, borage, burnet, cilantro, mints, lemon balm, lavender, catnip and dill.