6 Fall Crops To Plant Now and Grow Through Winter
Summary
TLDRIn 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
🌱 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.
🥬 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.
🥦 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.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Asian greens
💡Zone 10b
💡Anthocyanin
💡Frost date
💡Cover crops
💡Winter onions
💡Garlic
💡Broccoli
💡Cabbage
💡Kale
💡Nematodes
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)
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