13 Veggies You Can Start in August RIGHT NOW! | 2023

Summary

In this gardening video, the host debunks the myth that August is too late for planting. Featuring insights from expert gardeners, the video suggests 12 plants suitable for various climates, including celery, Brussels sprouts, and winter squash. Tips on planting, germinating, and caring for these plants are provided, ensuring a bountiful late-summer harvest.

Takeaways

• 📝 August is a great time to start planting for fall gardens, debunking the myth that nothing can be planted late in the summer.
• 🌲 The video offers advice from various gardeners, including Jacques and special guests Dagny and Meg, who share their expertise in different climates.
• 🌱 12 different plants are recommended for planting in August, proving that there are still many options for late summer gardening.
• 🍀 Celery, known to be challenging to grow, can be successfully grown by starting in August with the right variety and method, such as the Utah variety.
• 🌺 Brussels sprouts, a vegetable that matures slowly, benefit from being planted in August to avoid hot springs and pests.
• 🌷 Tendergreen mustard, part of the chicory family, is a cold-hardy plant that matures quickly and is perfect for fall gardens.
• 🍋 Beets, often disliked in childhood, are highlighted as rewarding and simple to grow, with Golden being a sweeter variety.
• 🍆 Carrots thrive in cool fall conditions and are ideal for planting in August, with varieties like Shin Kuroda and Danvers 126 recommended for dense soils.
• 🍌 Swiss Chard is a versatile plant that withstands moderate freezes, making it suitable for cooler climates and providing both visual contrast and edible stalks.
• 🍎 Winter squash, such as the Lakota variety, is a great storing squash that can be planted in August and harvested later with a hard skin for winter storage.
• 🍍 Radishes, especially French Breakfast and Daikon varieties, are quick to grow and can be harvested in as little as 21 days for smaller varieties.
• 🍕 Snap peas are a delicious addition to any fall garden, with varieties like Sugar Daddy and Purple Sugar Magnolia requiring proper trellising and about 70 days to harvest.
• 🍇 Endive, with its unique texture and flavor, is recommended for partial shade and improves after light frosts, adding a touch of class to salads and meals.
• 🌿 Snapdragons are not only visually appealing but also attract bees and have edible flowers, making them a valuable addition to any garden for both aesthetics and pollinators.

Q & A

What is the main message of the video?

The main message of the video is that August is a great time to plant certain crops despite the common belief that the gardening season is over. The host provides recommendations for what can be planted in August across different climates.

What is the first plant recommended by the host for August planting?

The first plant recommended by the host for August planting is celery, specifically the Utah variety, which is suitable for warmer climate zones.

Why is celery sometimes difficult to grow?

Celery can be difficult to grow because it requires consistently mild temperatures and can suffer from being too stringy, salty, or dry if not grown under the right conditions.

What is the significance of starting Brussels sprouts in August?

Starting Brussels sprouts in August is significant because they take a long time to grow and produce. Planting them in August ensures they will be ready by springtime, avoiding the heat and pests of early spring.

Why is Tendergreen mustard a good choice for a fall garden?

Tendergreen mustard is a good choice for a fall garden because it is part of the chicory family, grows quickly, is cold hardy, and prefers cooler temperatures.

What is special about beet seeds mentioned in the script?

Beet seeds are special because they are compound seeds, meaning one seed can sprout multiple plants, sometimes up to four.

Why are carrots a good choice for planting in August?

Carrots are a good choice for planting in August because they love cool fall growing conditions and are used in many comfort meals during the colder seasons.

What is the benefit of soaking parsnip seeds before planting?

Soaking parsnip seeds before planting helps speed up germination, which can otherwise take more than two weeks, by preparing the seeds to absorb water more readily.

How does Swiss Chard provide contrast to a garden?

Swiss Chard provides contrast to a garden with its large, luscious, deep green leaves and the fact that the whole stalk is edible, adding both color and texture.

What is the advantage of growing winter squash like Lakota in August?

Growing winter squash like Lakota in August is advantageous because it allows the squash to mature and harden its skin before winter, making it suitable for long-term storage.

Why are snap peas recommended for the garden?

Snap peas are recommended for the garden because they are vigorous vining plants that add texture, can be used in various dishes, and are also a perfect garden snack.

What is unique about the way snapdragon seeds should be handled during germination?

Snapdragon seeds are unique in that they want to be exposed to light as they germinate. They should be pressed into the soil surface and slightly depressed but not covered up.

Outlines

00:00

🌱 August Gardening: What to Plant

The script begins by dispelling the myth that August is too late for gardening. The host introduces the video's purpose: to recommend 12 plants suitable for August planting across different climates. They feature insights from gardeners Jacques, Dagny, and Meg. The host shares their experience with celery cultivation, emphasizing the Utah variety for warmer zones due to its need for mild temperatures and long germination period. They also discuss the challenges of growing celery, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage, attributing these to incorrect planting times.

05:01

🥦 Cultivating Celery, Brussels Sprouts, and Tendergreen Mustard

The host details the process of growing celery, including starting seeds in a cell tray and transplanting them after germination. They address common celery issues like stringiness and bolting. Moving on to Brussels sprouts, they recommend the 'Long Island Improved' variety, explaining its long growth period and the strategy of planting in August for cooler fall growth. The host also introduces Tendergreen mustard, highlighting its cold-hardiness, fast maturity, and preference for cooler temperatures, making it ideal for fall gardens.

10:02

🥕 Planting Beets, Carrots, and Parsnips in August

The host discusses the benefits of planting beets in August, favoring the 'Gourmet Blend' and 'Golden' varieties for their sweetness. They reveal a beet seed's ability to produce multiple plants and suggest direct sowing for ease. For carrots, the host recommends 'Shin Kuroda' and 'Danvers 126', suitable for dense clay soil, and shares two planting methods: in neat rows or a 'chaos' method for a higher yield. The script also covers parsnips, noting the need for loose soil and the benefit of soaking seeds to improve germination.

15:05

🍲 Sowing Swiss Chard, Winter Squash, and Radishes

Swiss Chard, particularly the 'Ruby Red' variety, is highlighted for its versatility, ability to withstand moderate freezes, and decorative value in gardens. The host describes direct sowing as the preferred method. For winter squash, especially the 'Lakota' variety, they explain the planting technique involving mounds and suggest nicking the seed coat to speed up germination. Radishes, both 'French Breakfast' and 'Daikon', are recommended for their taste and quick growth, with advice on soil preparation and planting间距.

🥒 Cucumbers, Snap Peas, and Endive for Late Summer

The host encourages planting cucumbers, specifically 'Marketmore' for pickling, in August for a late harvest. They note the direct sowing method and the plant's 60-day maturity period. Snap peas, favored for their taste and nutritional value, are discussed with a focus on trellising and germination techniques. Lastly, the host introduces Olesh Endive for its texture and flavor, recommending partial shade planting and highlighting its resistance to pests and improvement after light frosts.

🌸 Adding Snapdragons to Your Fall Garden

The final paragraph focuses on incorporating snapdragons, particularly the 'Tall Maximum Blend', for their aesthetic appeal, ability to attract bees, and edible flowers. The host shares tips for successful germination, including the unique need for light exposure and the unconventional method of freezing seeds to aid in sprouting. They emphasize the plant's value as both an ornamental and a culinary addition to the garden.

Keywords

💡August planting

August planting refers to the practice of sowing seeds or starting plants in the month of August, often with the intention of harvesting in the fall or winter. In the video, the concept is central as the host discusses various vegetables and plants that can still be planted in August, despite common misconceptions that the garden season is over. Examples include celery, Brussels sprouts, and beets, which are highlighted as suitable for late summer planting.

💡Germination

Germination is the process by which a plant grows from a seed, beginning with the seed's swelling and the emergence of the radicle (root) and plumule (shoot) from the seed coat. The video script mentions germination multiple times, emphasizing the timing and conditions necessary for successful sprouting of seeds like celery, which can take two to three weeks, and the use of tricks such as nicking the seed coat to speed up the process for winter squash.

💡Transplanting

Transplanting is the act of moving a plant from one location to another, often from a seed starting tray or small pot to a garden bed. The video discusses the careful process of transplanting, particularly in relation to celery, where the host advises against direct sowing and suggests starting the seeds in a cell before transplanting into the ground to avoid common problems.

💡Varieties

Varieties refer to different breeds or strains of plants, each with distinct characteristics such as taste, growth patterns, and resistance to diseases. The video script introduces several plant varieties, such as 'Utah' for celery and 'Long Island Improved' for Brussels sprouts, emphasizing the importance of choosing the right variety for the climate and planting time.

💡Zone hardiness

Zone hardiness is a horticultural system used in the United States and Canada that groups geographic areas together where plants are expected to survive the average minimum winter temperature. The video mentions different zones, such as Zone 10b and Zone 6b, to provide recommendations on what plants can be grown based on the viewer's location and its climate.

💡Seed sowing

Seed sowing is the method of planting seeds directly into the soil. The video script provides detailed instructions on direct sowing for various plants, including beets and carrots, and explains the spacing and depth required for optimal growth.

💡Soaking seeds

Soaking seeds is a pre-planting technique where seeds are placed in water for a period to help speed up germination. The script mentions soaking parsnip seeds overnight to improve their germination rate, which is a common practice for seeds that have a hard outer shell or are known to germinate slowly.

💡Mulching

Mulching involves covering the surface of the soil around plants with organic or inorganic materials to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil health. The video script advises using mulch for parsnips to help lock in moisture and improve germination, illustrating its importance in the gardening process.

💡Frost tolerance

Frost tolerance refers to a plant's ability to withstand freezing temperatures. The video discusses the frost tolerance of beets, which can still be planted in early August and will taste sweeter after exposure to cold, indicating that some plants thrive or improve in quality with cooler weather.

💡Gardening zones

Gardening zones are geographical areas defined by their climatic conditions, particularly their minimum winter temperature. The video references gardening zones such as warmer and colder climates, providing recommendations for planting based on the viewer's zone, which is crucial for knowing which plants to grow and when to plant them.

💡Endive

Endive is a type of leaf vegetable valued for its slightly bitter taste and crisp texture. The video script introduces 'Olesh Endive' as a plant that can be grown for its unique texture and flavor, which becomes sweeter after a light frost, making it a suitable choice for fall gardening.

💡Snapdragons

Snapdragons are flowering plants known for their unique flower shape that resembles a dragon's mouth. The video mentions 'Tall Maximum Blend' snapdragons as a plant that attracts bees, blooms more in colder weather, and has edible flowers, adding both aesthetic and functional value to the garden.

Highlights

It's possible to plant and grow a variety of plants in August, even in colder and warmer climates.

Celery can be successfully grown in warmer zones by starting seeds in August and transplanting in the fall.

Brussels sprouts should be planted in August to avoid heat and aphids during early spring.

Tendergreen mustard is a cold-hardy plant that matures quickly and is perfect for fall gardens.

Beets are easy to grow and can be harvested when the weather gets colder for a sweeter taste.

Carrots thrive in cool fall conditions and can be planted in August for a late-season harvest.

Parsnip seeds benefit from soaking overnight to improve germination times.

Swiss Chard is a hardy plant that can withstand moderate freezes and is great for fall gardening.

Winter squash, like Lakota, can be planted in August for a winter harvest.

Radishes grow quickly and can be harvested in as little as 21 days, making them ideal for late summer planting.

Cucumbers can be started in August, especially in warmer climates like Zone 10b, for a fall harvest.

Snap peas are a great addition to the garden and can be used as a snack or in cooking.

Olesh Endive adds texture to the garden and has a unique flavor that can be used raw or cooked.

Snapdragons are not only visually appealing but also attract bees and have edible flowers.

Many plants can be grown from seed to harvest, and a series on this process is available for educational purposes.

Transcripts

- It's August, it's hot.

You might think the garden, it's over, it's done.

There's no time to plant anything.

You couldn't be further from the truth.

I'm here in the greenhouse starting some stuff for August,

and in this video,

we're gonna give you not only my perspective,

but Jacques and two special gardeners,

Dagny and Meg, (screen whooshes)

who grow in different areas.

You guys, have been asking us for colder climate,

warmer climate recommendations from around the country.

So in this video,

we're giving you 12 things you can still plant in August.

So get out your seeds (upbeat music)

and let's get growin'.

My first selection isn't this 20-pound sunflower head

that I literally smashed my head into.

But in fact the plant that was growing in this bed

that I've had some struggles with in my life,

sometimes it's a little bit stringy,

sometimes it's a little bit salty,

sometimes it's a little bit dry.

But I think I've finally figured out

how to grow it in my climate.

And that plant of course

is celery. (upbeat music)

If you've struggled to grow celery like I have,

I've also struggled to grow things

like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage,

and it all stems from not knowing the right time

to get the plant in the ground.

The variety I have for you guys is called Utah.

It's a very, very classic celery variety.

It's about 100, 120 days or so.

You might be thinking that's kind of a long time

if you're starting in August.

That's why this is my warmer zone pick,

because it's gonna take two or three weeks to germinate,

get it in the ground.

And the reason why it works right now

for us in higher zones,

is because it wants a consistently mild temperature,

which I just personally do not get in the summer.

So, what I would be doing here is not direct sowing it.

So the seeds are actually quite small.

I do about three per cell, start those.

It'd take about two or three weeks to germinate.

Then I'd transplant that into the ground,

grow it into my mild fall in winter,

keep it well watered,

and you'll avoid all the common problems

that happen with celery where it's too stringy,

it has sort of gaps in the actual stalks themselves,

or it just quite frankly, bolts and doesn't grow that well.

- Many people grew up (screen whooshes)

absolutely hating this vegetable

only to learn that you just have to cook it the right way

to love it.

But it's still an extremely challenging one to grow,

and that is Brussels sprouts.

Here I have the Long Island Improved variety.

And the tricky thing with Brussels sprouts is that

they take a very long time to grow and produce.

So when you're looking for a variety,

you wanna look for one

that has something like 85 to 110 days,

which is what this one has.

There are varieties that even go up to like 200 days.

And the reason why you wanna plan it in August,

is because if you think about it,

especially if you're somewhere like Zone 10b

or even maybe eight plus,

it gets really hot in early spring.

So what you want to do actually

is start your Brussel sprouts at the end of summer,

have them growing in the garden by fall,

so that by the time you get into springtime,

you'll have tons of Brussels sprouts starting to form

and then they won't get too hot and covered in aphids

and turn to trash.

So right now is the best time to start Brussels.

And actually, all of your brassicas.

I even have my first round right here.

- Tendergreen mustard (screen whooshes)

is also called mustard spinach.

But even though it's not actually related

to mustard or spinach,

it has some of the best characteristics of both.

So let's get into why I think this plant is a must grow

for your fall garden.

First of all,

Tendergreen mustard is part of the chicory family.

It's a really productive and easy to grow plant,

and it's going to give you a harvest really fast.

It's fast to mature,

so you'll be picking this in just under three weeks.

But most importantly for me,

this one's really cold hardy.

In fact, it prefers cooler temperatures

and can survive down into the 30s,

which here in zone 6b,

as we're planting for the fall,

it's super important that I'm being mindful

of the fact that we're going to be getting

these cooler nights soon

if I wanna continue to have dark, leafy greens

all fall and winter long.

Now, this one is pretty sensitive to transplant stress

that can cause it to bolt.

So we're going to want to direct sow this

directly into the ground

when the soil temperatures

are still between about 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

And we can just do three seeds

about every four to six inches,

and then we'll turn that down to one seed

every four to six inches once they come up.

But soon enough,

you're gonna have a bushy plant

that's packed with nutrients and ready for fall.

- My next pick is one that I actually hated as a child,

and some people genetically hate.

I believe some people just think it tastes like dirt

based on the way that their DNA works.

It's kind of like the whole cilantro and soap thing,

but it's a plant that is extremely rewarding,

very simple to grow,

and honestly, one of the more satisfying things

to pull outta the garden,

and that would be beets.

Varieties wise, if you want to keep life simple,

go with the Gourmet Blend.

But for me, one of my personal favorites

for just one cultivar would be Golden.

I prefer it to the purplish beets like Detroit Dark Red.

I really like a golden beet.

I find it's a lot sweeter,

it's a little bit more palatable for myself,

especially growing up as a kid who hated beets.

But growing them could not be easier.

In fact, beet seeds have a bit (seeds rustling)

of a little special secret in them

that you may not be aware of.

Beet seeds is more than one seed.

It'll sprout maybe two, up to four,

out of the same exact seed.

So it's is a compound seed.

So what I'm saying here

is when you're spacing out your beets,

and I do recommend direct sowing your beets in your bed,

you just come in, boom, boom, boom,

about four inches apart or so,

and you only need to put one in each hole.

So I'm gonna come in, drop, drop, and drop.

Keep it well watered.

In fact, over at Epic home setting,

we did one where we just kind of threw them on the ground

and dragged a rake over.

We had some of the best beets we've ever had.

It's a perfect time to plant them right about now,

in early August.

Actually, in many zones,

I would say,

perhaps even down to about Zone 6, 7, or so,

you can get a nice harvest

'cause beets are quite frost tolerant

and the cold will make them taste even sweeter.

- Carrots are perfect to plant in August

because they love those cool fall growing conditions,

and they're one of my favorite things to plant for fall

because they're used in all of the comfort meals,

like soups, and stews, and holiday dishes.

Two of my favorite varieties to grow

are Shin Kuroda and Danvers 126.

And these varieties are really good

for the dense clay soil that we have here in North Carolina,

especially if you're trying to grow in ground.

There are a couple ways that I like to plant carrots.

And for both methods,

you wanna make sure that you have a nice, loose loamy soil.

If the soil's too dense,

it's gonna be hard for those carrots

to push through and form nicely.

But that's why I like to grow these varieties, just in case.

Also, if you over fertilize carrots,

it can lead to forking and a lot of really crazy root hairs.

So it's best to just work in some gentle, organic,

slow-release fertilizer right before planting.

The first way you can plant carrots

is to plant them in nice, neat rows.

I just div it out a little trench like this,

about a fourth of an inch deep,

and line the little trench with carrots.

And then just very lightly cover.

Now, another method is what I like to call

planting chaos carrots.

I put some carrot seeds in this pepper shaker,

and I just gently shake them

all throughout the planting area,

and then I just take this little rake

and lightly rake them through,

gently covering them with soil.

It can take carrots up to three weeks to germinate,

so you just wanna make sure

that you're keeping the soil nice and moist

until they start to sprout.

- In this bowl of water here, (screen whooshes)

I have my seeds soaking.

And it's the seed that looks kind of familiar

but a little different.

And it's actually the humble parsnip,

something that looks like a carrot,

grows like a carrot,

but is not a carrot.

They're actually quite delicious though.

And the reason why I'm soaking them

is that they can take two weeks plus to actually germinate,

and soaking them overnight makes a huge difference.

Now, the other thing that's important about root crops

and parsnips especially, is having nice loose soil.

So what I'm doing here is I'm just taking my CobraHead,

and just kind of disturbing the soil

and getting it nice and loose

so that I can throw my seed in here.

So what I'm going to do is take some of these soaked seeds,

and just try to kind of flick them onto the soil

where I want them.

I'm going to overs soak

because the germination just isn't that good in general,

they can take a long time.

So it's better to do a little bit extra

rather than doing less.

Now, once they're in the ground,

make sure that you get your mulch and cover them up.

And the reason why you wanna start these in August

is because by the time they're ready in about 120 days,

will be close to January,

which is our coldest month here in San Diego,

and that's gonna make them really sweet and delicious

instead of kind of bitter and uninteresting.

And the mulch is gonna help lock in the moisture

to help improve that germination even more.

- One variety (screen whooshes)

that I cannot live without is Swiss Chard.

And I'm growing this Ruby Red type

because I wanted to add

some really nice contrast to my garden.

Now this is going to be a really large, luscious,

deep green leaf, like all Swiss Chards,

and it's going to be really versatile to use

in all sorts of cooking.

It's gonna mature in about 60 days

and reach about 24 inches tall and 18 inches wide.

This is a great way to add some contrast

and color to your garden,

and the whole stalk is also edible.

This plant is great for me in Zone 6b

because it's known to withstand moderate freezes.

So even though we're gonna get

temperatures down into the 30s,

I'll continue to be able to grow this one.

And the way that I'll harvest it

is just picking those outside larger leaves

and letting the center ones continue to grow.

Now you can grow Swiss Chard from transplants.

A lot of people do.

It's just a little bit more dramatic.

It needs time to harden off.

And when you do transplant it out,

you're probably going to find that it gets kind of droopy.

Just give it a good drink and it should perk right back up.

But I like to direct sow mine. (seeds rattling),

So when I direct sow it,

I do about two seeds every eight inches or so,

and we're gonna plant that about a half an inch deep.

Once these germinate,

you're gonna wanna thin that down

to just one seed per eight inches,

and before you know it,

you'll have an abundance of Swiss Chard.

- This next plant (screen whooshes)

is one that honestly gets made fun of a lot

especially as you get into late summer.

It's one that people recommend

ditching at your neighbor's doorstep.

But I highly encourage you to give it a second chance.

In fact, right down here,

I'm growing a version of this plant

in this giant pumpkin that you may have seen recently,

but I'm not in fact talking

about the giant pumpkin version of this plant.

I am, in fact, talking about a winter squash.

The variety I've chosen for you is the Lakota winter squash,

once a staple of the Lakota Sioux people.

It is a fantastic storing squash.

Winter squash, generally speaking, means you grow it out,

you don't harvest it young,

you let the skin get nice and hard,

and you can actually store it through the winter.

It doesn't mean a squash you literally grow in winter,

which is a really common misconception.

But the way to grow these squash,

and it's really quite simple,

it's very akin to how you might grow a pumpkin.

So take a look down here.

If I was to plant my little squash here,

I'd mound a little hill up.

So let's just pretend I've done that.

And what I'll do,

is you kinda make a little (tool rustling)

depression in the soil,

and you wanna plant this in a mound.

So what that means is take a few,

one, two, three, seems good,

and then you would cover that up.

Now, there is one little hack you can do

to speed up the germination a little bit,

and that would be to come

to the pointy end of the squash seed

and give it a quick clip,

right there at the very end.

You can see I've just nicked a tiny little bit,

but mostly I've just allowed water to get in.

That can be a really good tip

for end of season squash planting

because you wanna direct sow it in the ground,

but you want it to sprout up really quickly.

And believe me, that little nick on the seed coat

will let the water get in and it'll germinate a lot faster.

So you'll plant about three per mound,

you thin it to about one or two per mound,

and you just let that thing rip.

This is also kind of an interesting time

to put squash in the ground,

because the squash vine borer,

which is one of the most common,

and destructive, and annoying pests for squash,

really, its season has sort of passed.

So you won't be worrying about that disease

and you'll get a beautiful,

nutty, sweet winter squash you can store until next season.

- Another great fall crop (screen whooshes)

to start in August are radishes.

Radishes are absolutely delicious roasted,

especially this French Breakfast radish.

And it can also be used in soups,

or salads, or even on toast.

Or my favorite way to use this Daikon radish

is in homemade kimchi.

And if you're someone like me

that loves near instant gratification when gardening,

you'll love growing these smaller radish varieties

because they are ready to harvest in as little as 21 days.

Before planting,

I like to amend the soil with a gentle organic fertilizer.

Like carrots, radishes prefer loose soil

to help their roots develop easily.

I'm gonna make a little trench,

about a half an inch in depth.

And French Breakfast radishes are small,

so I'm just gonna drop a seed every one to two inches.

For the Daikon radishes,

I'm gonna plant them a little further apart.

They can grow quite large,

so I'm gonna give them about three to four inches apart.

And it's important to keep the soil moist

until they start sprouting.

While the smaller varieties like French Breakfast

usually take about 21 days.

The larger varieties like this Daikon,

can take 65 plus days.

But I promise,

they're well worth the wait.

- When it comes to summer crops,

the tomato is my absolute favorite,

but a close second this year has been the cucumber.

And yes, you can start cucumbers,

especially somewhere like Zone 10b San Diego

because you wanna choose a variety like the Marketmore

that takes about 60 days to maturity.

Now I'm not starting like salad cucumbers

or anything like that.

I'm starting pickling cucumbers.

The idea behind that is that right now,

at the beginning of August,

I could get these in the ground.

And at some point in October,

I'll start getting cucumbers,

and then I'll be able to actually produce a bunch of pickles

and store them through my "hard winter" here.

And this is a great way to do it

because there's not really that much

that you wanna start at this kind of interval,

especially when it comes to fruiting plants.

So pickling cucumbers are great,

and I start them directly in ground

at this point of the year.

- Another perfect crop to start growing in August

are snap peas.

Snap peas make the perfect addition to any stir fry,

but honestly, a lot of them

don't even make it inside the house,

because they also make the perfect garden snack.

Two of my favorite varieties to grow are Sugar Daddy

and these really, really fun Purple Sugar Magnolia.

Snap peas are pretty vigorous vining plants,

so they do need proper trellising.

What I like to use is this big tall tomato cage that I have,

or you can always use an arch like this one here.

Like carrots and radish,

peas don't need much fertilizer,

so I just went ahead and amended it

with a gentle organic one.

I'm gonna use this little chopstick

to divvy out one inch holes about two inches apart

all the way around the trellis.

Just gonna pop a pea in each hole and cover them up.

One thing you can do to get a headstart on germination

is to soak your peas overnight in water.

But personally, I just like to keep the soil nice and moist

until they sprout.

And snap peas usually take about 70 days

from seed to harvest.

- I wanted more texture in my garden this fall,

so I'm reaching for this Olesh Endive.

This endive has a raw, crisp texture

that's going to be kind of bitter when it's not cooked.

So you can use it uncooked in a salad

or you can cook down into a soup or a stew

where it's going to mellow out, sweeten up,

and get in this more of a nutty flavor.

Now, this plant is going to mature in about 70 days,

and it's going to mature into a rosette shape

that's about six inches tall to six inches wide

with these broad crinkly leaves.

Endive is just going to be a little bit more upscale

than your regular lettuce.

And it doesn't taste good to pest,

so it's gonna be an easy one to grow.

The flavor also improves after a few light frost.

So that will be great

as we're headed into these colder months.

And I don't need to put it into direct sunlight.

So this one can be put in partial shade,

and you can harvest the whole head or individual leaves.

Now, endive is a plant

that's sensitive to temperature fluctuations

that can cause it to bolt.

So it's a good idea to get this one in the ground

when your temperatures are still relatively stable,

which for us here in the northern climate,

that's going to be in between mid to late summer.

Now for this one, we just need to plant it

about an eighth of an inch deep,

and I'm going to do three seeds every six inches or so,

and we'll thin that down.

Because with this one,

keeping it consistently moist is really important.

Keeping that soil moist, and damp, and cool.

But that of course means

that the plant is going to be more susceptible

to certain fungal diseases and root rot.

So we want to make sure

that we're giving the endive plants proper spacing

so that there's that good airflow.

- I told you I'd give you 12 plants,

but I actually wanna give you just one more

because I cannot resist growing flowers.

I've really gotten into it over the last,

maybe season or two of my gardening career, so to speak.

And this is what I've never talked about before,

which would be the Snapdragon.

The variety I have for you is called Tall Maximum Blend.

I just personally loved

going on these garden tours recently here in San Diego

and seeing these beautifully tall

snapdragons lining garden pathways.

So I wanted to add it to my fall garden.

I encourage you to do the same for many different reasons.

Number one, it's an absolute bee magnet.

You'll see bees kind of nestling their way into the flowers,

almost getting a little bit lost in them,

which is really cool to see.

It blooms more in colder weather.

So if you plant it in early August

and stream that plant into the fall,

you're gonna get beautiful, beautiful blooms

because of course the temperatures

are getting a little bit lower.

And then thirdly, the flowers are actually edible.

You can throw 'em in a salad,

you can throw 'em on a drink.

You can just use them as a garnish to pretty up a plate.

To me, not something I knew until very recently,

that you could actually eat snapdragon flowers.

So a beautiful thing that also provides some edible benefit.

But a couple interesting tips on germinating these

that will help you out a lot.

First, this is one of the very few plants

that actually wants to be exposed to light as it germinates.

I do recommend doing this in a seed starting tray

and then transplanting it out

just because it's a little bit of a persnickety start.

You could press it into the surface of the soil

and just sort of depress it slightly but not cover it up.

It's also said that freezing the seeds for 48 hours

is a really good way to aid germination.

So I have not tested that.

We'll be doing that with my fall snapdragons.

So there are so many things

you can still grow in the garden,

even in August,

even all the way down to the lower growing zones.

But we've just given you a quick taste

of how to grow these amazing varieties

which you can of course, buy, by the way,

at our seed company, Botanical Interests.

But if you want to know how to grow them

all the way from seed to harvest,

well we did that.

We have a whole series here,

growing plants all the way from germination

to a final harvest.

So check those out.

Good luck in the garden,

and keep on growing.