6 Fall Crops To Plant Now and Grow Through Winter

Summary

In this collaborative video, gardening experts Kevin from 'Epic Gardening' and Tony from 'UK Here We Grow' share their top fall crops for different climates. Kevin recommends Asian greens, cabbage, and broccoli/cauliflower for cooler temperatures, while Tony suggests winter onions, garlic, and kale. They offer tips on planting, protecting crops, and maximizing growth, emphasizing the importance of timing, soil preparation, and pest control.

Takeaways

• 🍁 **Asian Greens**: These thrive in cooler temperatures and offer a wide variety, including Mizuna Beni Houshi and Purple Lady Bok Choy.
• 🥬 **Cabbage**: A staple for fall, it requires ample space and high nitrogen content for optimal growth.
• 🧄 **Garlic**: Planted in well-drained soil, it benefits from being spaced appropriately and mulched to prevent weed competition.
• 🥦 **Broccoli & Cauliflower**: Requires staggered planting in warmer climates to ensure they form heads in cooler weather.
• 🌿 **Kale**: Prefers full sun and can be grown in various soil conditions, benefiting from poultry manure and chicken manure pellets.
• 🌡️ **Temperature Management**: For crops like broccoli and cauliflower, timing planting to align with the necessary temperature for head formation is crucial.
• 💧 **Watering Tips**: Suggests using mulch to maintain even soil moisture and advises against overhead watering once heads form to prevent rot.
• 🌱 **Planting Depth**: For onions and garlic, planting at specific depths (2 inches for onions, bulb depth for garlic) is important for healthy growth.
• 🐦 **Pest Protection**: Recommends using protective covers to shield crops like cabbage and onions from pests like cabbage loopers and birds.
• 🌱 **Succession Planting**: Suggests planting onions with consideration for future crop rotation, as they have a long growing season and require specific soil conditions.
• 🌳 **Organic Pest Control**: Highlights the use of nematodes as an organic method to control pests affecting brassicas like kale.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is discussing fall crops to grow, featuring a collaboration between Kevin from 'Epic Gardening' and Tony from 'UK Here We Grow', where they each share their three favorite fall crops.

What is the significance of the term 'Zone 10b' mentioned in the video?

Zone 10b refers to a USDA hardiness zone, which indicates the minimum winter temperature in a region. It is mentioned to provide context for the climate in San Diego where Kevin is located and how it affects what and when to plant.

What is the first crop recommended by Kevin for fall gardening?

The first crop recommended by Kevin for fall gardening is Asian greens, which include a variety of leafy greens that thrive in cooler temperatures.

What are some specific varieties of Asian greens mentioned in the video?

Some specific varieties of Asian greens mentioned are Mizuna Beni Houshi, Purple Lady Bok Choy, Pak Choy Dwarf, Joy Choy, and Purple Magic.

What tip does Kevin give for growing Asian greens?

Kevin suggests covering the plants with some sort of protective cover to protect from late summer and early fall pests like cabbage loopers and worms.

What is the first crop Tony recommends for fall in the UK?

Tony recommends winter onions as the first crop for fall. He explains that they are easy to grow and look after themselves over winter but have a long growing season.

How should onions be planted according to Tony's advice?

Tony advises planting onions two inches deep and four to six inches apart. He also suggests using an oscillating stirrup hoe for weeding between onions and covering them to protect from birds.

What is the second crop Kevin recommends for fall and why is it a favorite?

The second crop Kevin recommends is cabbage. He considers it a favorite because it is a quintessential spring and fall crop that can be grown densely and is a heavy feeder, especially of nitrogen.

What is the significance of the planting distance for cabbages mentioned by Kevin?

Kevin mentions that for smaller cabbages like Mini Kisaku 50, a planting distance of about 14 inches apart is suitable, while larger cabbages require at least 24 inches or two feet apart.

What is the third crop Tony recommends for fall and why does it take patience?

Tony's third crop recommendation is garlic, which takes patience because it requires a long growing season and typically isn't harvested until just before the summer.

What are some planting tips for garlic according to the video?

For planting garlic, it's important to plant it in well-drained, fertile soils with the basal plate facing downwards, about two inches deep, and with a spacing of four to six inches apart in rows 18 to 24 inches apart.

What is the third crop Kevin recommends for fall and why is it suited for a warm climate?

The third crop Kevin recommends is broccoli and cauliflower. These crops are suited for a warm climate because they need cold temperatures to form a head, and in Kevin's warm zone, he has to stagger his planting to ensure they get the required temperatures.

What is the final crop Tony recommends for fall and what are its ideal growing conditions?

The final crop Tony recommends is kale, specifically varieties like Cavolo Nero and Nero di Toscana. It prefers full sun and can grow in most soil conditions, benefiting from poultry manure and chicken manure pellets.

What is the purpose of using nematodes in the garden as mentioned by Tony?

Tony mentions using nematodes in the garden as an organic way to control pests that affect brassicas like kale, such as cabbage white butterfly, cabbage root fly, and white fly.

Outlines

00:00

🌱 Fall Crops with Kevin and Tony

In this collaborative video, gardeners Kevin from 'Epic Gardening' and Tony from 'UK Here We Grow' discuss their favorite fall crops. Kevin starts with Asian greens, emphasizing their variety and preference for cooler temperatures. He recommends specific varieties like Mizuna Beni Houshi, Purple Lady Bok Choy, and Pak Choy Dwarf, and shares tips on protecting them from pests. Tony then talks about winter onions, detailing their long growing season and care, including planting depth, spacing, and the use of an oscillating stirrup hoe for weeding. He also advises on protecting them from birds and ensuring they don't dry out in spring.

05:02

🥬 Cabbage and Garlic: A Transatlantic Gardening Chat

Kevin continues with cabbage, a staple in both spring and fall gardening. He discusses planting density, the need for high nitrogen fertilizer, and the use of protective frost covers to ward off pests like cabbage loopers. Tony shares his experience with growing cabbage and transitions to garlic, another favorite. He covers planting techniques, sunlight requirements, and watering tips, stressing the importance of avoiding wet soil. Tony also recommends mulching to prevent weed growth and protect the soil's nutrients.

10:04

🥦 Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Kale: Cool Weather Crops

The video concludes with Kevin discussing broccoli and cauliflower, noting the need for cold temperatures to form heads, especially in warm climates. He advises on planting timing and the use of mulch to maintain even soil moisture. Tony talks about kale, ideal as a follow-on crop after manured soil, and its preference for full sun. He suggests using poultry manure and liquid seaweed for feeding and discusses organic pest control using nematodes. The collaboration ends with both gardeners encouraging viewers to continue gardening in the fall and to explore Tony's channel for more gardening insights.

Keywords

💡Asian greens

Asian greens refer to a diverse group of leafy vegetables originating from Asia, known for their cold-tolerant and nutrient-rich qualities. In the video, they are highlighted as ideal fall crops due to their preference for cooler temperatures. Examples given include Mizuna Beni Houshi, Purple Lady Bok Choy, and Pak Choy Dwarf, showcasing the variety within this category.

💡Zone 10b

A gardening zone classification that indicates a region's average minimum winter temperature. Zone 10b, mentioned in the video, is characterized by a minimum winter temperature of 35–40°F (-1.7–4.4°C). This information is crucial for selecting the right plants and planting times, as it affects the success of crops like Asian greens.

💡Anthocyanin

Anthocyanin is a type of antioxidant compound that gives certain fruits and vegetables their red, blue, or purple color. In the context of the video, anthocyanin is appreciated for its nutritional value, with the presenter favoring varieties like Purple Lady Bok Choy for their higher anthocyanin content.

💡Frost date

The frost date is the last date in the fall when frost is expected, which is significant for gardeners as it affects the timing of planting crops. The video suggests that many Asian greens become sweeter as they approach harvest near the frost date, indicating the importance of this timing for flavor.

💡Cover crops

Cover crops are plants grown primarily to protect and enrich the soil. In the video, the presenter advises using a cover over crops like Asian greens to protect from pests, illustrating the practical application of cover crops in a fall gardening context.

💡Winter onions

Winter onions are a type of onion set that is planted in the fall and harvested before summer. The video emphasizes their ease of growth and self-sufficiency over winter, highlighting them as a key crop for fall planting in regions with suitable climates.

💡Garlic

Garlic is a widely used culinary herb known for its pungent flavor. The video discusses planting garlic in the fall, emphasizing the need for well-drained soil and the right planting depth, as well as the importance of sunlight and watering practices for successful growth.

💡Broccoli

Broccoli is a popular brassica vegetable that requires cool temperatures to form its signature head. The video explains the necessity of timing the planting of broccoli in warmer climates to ensure it receives the necessary cool weather for head formation, illustrating the importance of climate in gardening.

💡Cabbage

Cabbage is a staple vegetable in many diets, and the video discusses its status as a quintessential spring and fall crop. It mentions the need for ample spacing and high nitrogen fertilizer for optimal growth, underlining the importance of proper care for a successful harvest.

💡Kale

Kale is a hardy leafy green that is highlighted in the video for its adaptability to various soil conditions and partial shade. The presenter discusses specific varieties like Cavolo Nero and Nero di Toscana, emphasizing their taste and use in dishes, as well as their preference for full sun.

💡Nematodes

Nematodes are microscopic worms that can be beneficial or harmful to plants. In the video, the use of beneficial nematodes is recommended as an organic method to control pests that affect brassica crops like kale, showcasing an eco-friendly approach to pest management in gardening.

Highlights

Collaboration between Kevin from 'Epic Gardening' and Tony from 'UK Here We Grow' to discuss fall gardening.

Introduction of three favorite fall crops by Kevin and Tony.

Asian greens, like Chinese cabbage, thrive in cooler temperatures and have a wide variety.

Mizuna Beni Houshi is recommended for its beauty and ease of growth.

Purple Lady Bok Choy is highlighted for its anthocyanin content and nutritional value.

Pak Choy Dwarf is suggested for those looking for a smaller variety of Asian greens.

Joy Choy and Purple Magic are praised as excellent varieties of Asian greens.

Tips for growing Asian greens include using a cover to protect from pests.

Tony discusses winter onions as a crop that requires patience but is easy to grow.

Winter onions have a long growing season and should be planted considering future crop rotation.

Onions should be planted in well-drained soil that was manured the previous spring.

Use of an oscillating stirrup hoe for weeding between onions is recommended.

Protecting onions from birds with fleece or netting is advised.

Cabbage is described as a quintessential spring and fall crop.

Spacing recommendations for planting cabbage, with smaller varieties at 14 inches and larger at 24 inches.

Cabbage is a heavy feeder and benefits from high nitrogen fertilizers.

Protective frost covers are used to prevent pest damage to cabbage.

Garlic is recommended as a crop that pairs well with onions and has a long maturation period.

Garlic should be planted in well-drained, fertile soils with the basal plate facing downwards.

Watering garlic should be done sparingly to prevent wet soil.

Mulching garlic in the winter is suggested to protect the bulbs and soil nutrients.

Broccoli and cauliflower are highlighted as crops that need cold temperatures to form a head.

Timing fall planting of broccoli and cauliflower is crucial for achieving the right temperatures.

Using mulch to maintain even soil moisture is recommended for broccoli.

Broccoli is a heavy feeder and requires additional compost throughout the season.

Kale is introduced as a hardy plant that can grow in various soil conditions and prefers full sun.

Kale benefits from poultry manure and chicken manure pellets as nitrogen sources.

Nematodes are suggested as an organic method to control brassica pests.

Encouragement to continue gardening in the fall and to explore Tony's channel for more gardening techniques.

Invitation for viewers to suggest future collaborations or leave comments for improvement.

Transcripts

- What's up everyone, Kevin from "Epic Gardening" here.

Today, we're talking fall.

It doesn't feel like fall,

it's only starting to feel like fall

here in San Diego, Zone 10b.

So what I figured I would do

is collaborate with one of my favorite gardeners

from the UK, Tony over at "UK Here We Grow."

So today's video, we're doing a three and a three.

I'm giving you my three favorite fall crops to grow,

we're gonna flip across the pond and Tony's gonna give you

his three favorite fall crops to grow.

So, stay tuned.

(upbeat music)

So the first crop we're highlighting

is actually not one singular crop,

it is a family of crops, so to speak,

and that would be Asian greens.

Asian greens, like this Chinese cabbage here,

are a perfect fall crop

because they will thrive a little bit more in cooler temps.

So the beauty of Asian greens

is that there's simply so much variety.

As we open my seed pantry, I will show you

just some of the ones that I'm thinking about this fall.

So, the first one is Mizuna Beni Houshi.

This is a fantastic variety that I highly recommend

you all try out.

It's very beautiful, easy grower,

and works just so well in fall.

Next one is going to be a classic, we all know Bok Choy,

but this is Purple Lady Bok Choy.

So you can see a theme here, I like to go with the ones

with a little more anthocyanin content,

a little more deep nutrition in there.

If you'd like a more dwarf variety,

Pak Choy Dwarf, four inches, is a really good one.

This is Joy Choy, another fantastic Asian green

that I really like growing.

And then you've got a Pak Choy variety

called Purple Magic that I really, really like.

Now some tips for growing Asian greens,

many do actually tolerate heat

but most of them do really well and get nice and sweet

as they come to harvest closer towards that frost date.

So what I like to do, is if I'm planning them right now,

I like to throw some sort of cover over it

to protect from those late summer, early fall pests

like the cabbage loopers, the worms, et cetera.

That's my one pro tip, and now we're tossing it over to Tony

for a crop that takes just a little more patience

than these Asian greens.

- My first crop to grow in the fall is winter onions.

Autumn planted onion sets are very easy to grow.

They are fantastic and look after themselves over winter.

But they have a long growing season,

typically not being harvested till just before the summer.

So, it's really important

to consider where you are planting them

because you'll wanna be able to put crops out in spring.

But onions are really hungry plants,

but they don't need loads of nitrogen.

So plant them into beds or ground

that was manured the previous spring.

Just turn it over and then plant into that bed.

If you plant them into a bed that's just been manured,

then you're gonna find your onions will bolt.

Plant your onions two inches deep

and four to six inches apart.

Larger spaces are gonna allow you to use one of these.

Now, this is an oscillating stirrup hoe,

and they're fantastic for weeding between onions.

They can get rid of all those weed seeds as they germinate

which will make your life much easier keeping them clean.

Onions don't compete well with weeds.

Plant in time, water them in well,

and consider covering them over with some fleece

or some netting to stop the birds

because they'll see the little tops of these onions

and you'll come back the next day

and find your onions sets all over the surface

where the birds have pulled them out

thinking they're worms.

It's important that onions don't dry out

when spring arrives, because if they do,

then the plant will get stressed and they will bolt.

Now, if this happens, it's not the end of the world.

Simply cut off the flower tip

and harvest the onions at that point.

You can still use them in the kitchen,

they just won't be any good for keeping for long periods.

And at harvest time,

don't be tempted to leave the onions in the ground

longer than about two weeks

once the tops have died back or flopped over,

because if you do, organisms are gonna get in

and it could start rotting process

or even the regrowing process.

Anyway, that's it for my onions, back to you Kevin.

- Awesome tips Tony, you love it,

and I cannot wait to see your onion harvest.

My second crop, that is potentially

one of my favorite fall crops of all time is,

ready for the reveal, cabbage.

So cabbage is a quintessential spring and fall crop.

You can see I've got it in a new raised bed

that I've just put in,

and we're planting it somewhat densely.

These are gonna be a smaller cabbage,

this is a Mini Kisaku 50.

So for a small cabbage, you wanna go about 14 inches apart,

for larger, massive cabbages

like ones I've grown in the past

and ones Tony's grown in the past,

you wanna go at least 24 inches or two feet apart.

Cabbage are a heavy feeder, especially nitrogen.

So they're going to do really well if you amend your beds

with a high nitrogen for fertilizer,

some really nice compost, of course we'll do the trick.

You could use something like feather meal

or there's some other products

like well composted chicken manure,

chicken droppings will do really well for cabbage.

Another thing you'll notice is again,

I'm using these blankets, these protective frost covers,

that it's not for frost,

it's for the fact that cabbage gets decimated

by a lot of common pests.

You have cabbage loopers,

you can see I already have damage here

on some of these tender leaves

and I'm doing my best to prevent that

by creating a full physical barrier,

a full floating row cover that I pin down with close pins

to make sure that I have no pest damage.

Well, that's enough out of me and cabbage.

It's time to toss back over to you Tony

for one of my favorite crops of all time.

- Wow, brilliant Kevin.

Like Kevin, I love growing cabbage too,

and this one took me 11 months to grow from seed to plate.

My next vegetable that I'm gonna grow is garlic,

and garlic goes so well with onions.

It can be used in so many dishes and its pungent flavors

can really make a meal something special,

licking mid autumn in well drained, fertile soils.

When planting your garlic,

ensure that the basal plate goes downwards.

Plant close, four to six inches apart,

and in rows, 18 inches to 24 inches apart.

Make sure that when you're planting your bulbs,

they are about two inches in depth

or at least the depth of the bulb down.

Now, planting garlic in these conditions is ideal.

They typically love to get

around six hours worth of sunlight a day,

and when you do that,

they can take about nine months to mature.

Water garlic sparingly because they hate wet soil.

And as the weather warms up into summer,

then you wanna reduce watering a bit

because they need this dry environment

in which to produce large bulbs.

Garlic doesn't do well with weeds either,

so consider mulching your garlic in the winter.

Use straw or chopped up leaves to protect your garlic,

and this will also help you

get much larger bulbs at harvest time.

The added bonus here is that the straw or mulch that you use

will also protect the ground

from littering away its nutrients through the winter

with the onslaught of all the bad weather.

Back over to you Kevin.

- Epic tips Tony, thank you so much,

and I can't tell you how excited I am

to start my own garlic 'coz I just got my sea garlic in.

So stay tuned for that coming down the line.

But my third crop, again, it's kind of a family of crops

is broccoli and cauliflower.

Now you might be wondering, why am I in the shed?

Why am I not out in the front yard showing you my broccoli?

That's because my broccoli

is actually still being started from seed.

And that's because here in my warm climate,

broccoli and cauliflower, these heading brassicas,

they need cold temperatures in order to form a head.

Because I'm in such a warm zone,

I have to stagger my planting a little bit later into fall

to make sure that when they're coming to maturity,

they actually are getting those 60-ish degree temperatures

so that they do form a nice, tight, compact head.

So, that's my first tip with broccoli and cauliflower,

is to make sure that you're timing your fall planting

for a moment where

you're actually going to get the temperatures it requires

to grow well.

So broccoli is a crop that likes even temperatures,

we know that, and it likes even moisture,

which means if you're not using mulch in your raised beds

or wherever you're planting your broccoli,

now is the time to start.

I know Tony over on his channel

does a lot on making leaf mold

which can be a fantastic top mulch.

You can also use grass clippings, straw, wood chips,

whatever you want,

as long as you're providing a nice barrier

for that soil to remain evenly moist.

And you know, with broccoli,

you can do a little overhead watering.

It's okay, but I would refrain from overhead watering

as soon as those crowns start to form

'coz then you can really start to introduce rot.

But early on in its life, especially if like me,

you're in a warmer climate with hotter temperatures

during that fall transition,

overhead watering can actually be a really good way

to cool down the leaves

as well as penetrate water into that root zone

and keep it nice and cool.

Paired with the mulch, you're gonna have a really healthy

and evenly moist soil.

Broccoli, light cabbage, and many other brassicas

is a heavy feeder.

So you're gonna wanna give it a top dress or a side dress

throughout the season,

as well as prepare your bed really nicely.

So, if you've just harvested your bed out for summer

which I just did, I wanna give it a nice top dress

of a couple inches of compost,

as well as maybe throughout that season

in that middle phase of growing the broccoli,

I may give it another side dress of compost

just to make sure I've given it enough to thrive.

Okay, that's it for broccoli.

We're throwing it back to you Tony

for the final plant in our fall series here.

Give it to us, I am very excited,

another one of my absolute favorites.

- I certainly have saved the best for last Kevin.

And my last vegetable to grow in fall is kale.

Now Cavolo Nero and Nero di Toscana

are the only varieties that are grown in Italy.

And that's for good reason.

It's because they taste the best.

And their large leaves

would be fantastic in joining Kevin's Asian greens

in a stir fry, they are brilliant plants.

This plant will grow in most soil conditions

and evening partial shade, but it does prefer full sun.

And it's an ideal plant to use as a follow on crop

after potatoes or something else

because you can plant this into ground

that was previously manured last spring.

Kale will benefit from a sprinkling of poultry manure

around the roots, and chicken manure pellets

are an ideal nitrogen source.

It's perfect for leafy greens like kale.

Another good feed would be liquid seaweed

because this can really stimulate growth on leafy plant.

Now kale suffers with all the usual brassica pests,

things like cabbage white butterfly, cabbage root fly,

and also white fly, and I'm a big believer

in using nematodes in the garden.

It's totally organic which is how I prefer to grow,

and nematodes are fantastic.

Now there's good and bad nematodes,

but it's important to note

that all the nematodes you can buy in the store

are all good varieties, and they will really help you

in knocking back these pests.

Kevin, before I hand back over to you,

I'd really like to thank your viewers

for allowing me to introduce myself and for listening to me.

I really enjoyed the opportunity

to be able to put forward my knowledge

and my passion for gardening.

And I really hope that you guys out there

have got something from this.

Anyway mate, back over to you.

- Well everyone, I hope you enjoyed this collaboration.

Six new crops from the UK and the US

to learn and to practice and to grow this fall.

Don't give up in your garden, it's fall,

it is time to try to squeeze out as much harvest as you can,

and I highly recommend you check out Tony's channel.

I've learned so much from his channel,

making leaf mold, creative ways to grow.

You know, just the simple difference in climate

means different methods, different techniques,

and different knowledge to learn and apply

to your own garden.

So, there's so much to learn over there

and he's got a beautiful, amazing, amazing garden.

So, please go check Tony's channel out,

and if you'd like me to do more collaborations

or you have any suggestions,

always leave it down in the comments down below.

Until next time, good luck in the garden

and keep on growing.

(upbeat music)