We Are Planting THESE Essential Fall Crops in September

Summary

In this informative gardening video, the host transitions from summer to fall gardening, highlighting the optimal weather for cold-weather crops. They discuss removing spent tomato plants and replacing them with fall crops like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and lettuce. The video emphasizes the benefits of leaving plant stumps and roots in the ground for soil health. The host also shares tips on planting cucumbers, dill, and zucchini, and stresses the importance of considering the first frost date when planning fall plantings. The video concludes with advice on starting seedlings indoors for a successful fall harvest.

Takeaways

• 🍅 Transitioning from summer to fall gardening involves removing tomato plants and preparing the garden for cooler weather crops.
• 🌡 The current weather is in the low 60s, which is ideal for growing cold-tolerant crops.
• 🌱 The '10 fingers of Naples' tomato variety is highly productive but needs to be composted as the plants start to die off.
• 🥬 The first crops to be planted in the fall include brassicas like cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower.
• 🌿 Leaving the stumps and roots of previous crops in the ground enriches the soil and maintains its structure.
• 🥦 Succession planting of lettuce is done to ensure a continuous harvest throughout the season.
• 🥒 Pickling cucumbers are planted in the fall to be harvested before the first frost, paired with dill for pickling.
• 🥬 Leafy greens like mustard greens and cilantro are planted for their cool-weather tolerance and flavor.
• 🌱 Seedlings for fall crops like zucchini should be started indoors to ensure they have enough time to mature before the first frost.
• 🍃 Controlling powdery mildew is crucial for successful fall gardening, especially for cucurbit crops like zucchini.
• 🗓 Planting decisions should be based on the first frost date and the number of days to maturity and germination for each crop.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video script?

The main focus of the video script is transitioning a garden from summer to fall, discussing the weather changes, removing summer crops like tomatoes, and preparing to plant fall crops such as brassicas and leafy greens.

Why are the tomatoes being removed from the garden?

The tomatoes are being removed because as the weather gets colder, the flavor of the tomatoes starts to degrade, becoming more acidic and losing their full body flavor.

What is the name of the tomato variety mentioned in the script?

The tomato variety mentioned is '10 fingers of Naples'.

Why is leaving the stumps and roots of the previous crop in the ground beneficial?

Leaving the stumps and roots in the ground is beneficial because they decompose and add nutrients back to the soil, improving its structure and reducing the need for additional compost or fertilizers.

What are 'brasicas' and why are they being planted in the fall?

Brassicas are a group of vegetables that include cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and others. They are being planted in the fall because they are cold-tolerant and can thrive as the weather cools down.

What is the significance of the first frost date in planning a fall garden?

The first frost date is significant because it determines how much time is left to plant crops before the weather becomes too cold for them to grow. It helps gardeners decide which crops to plant based on their days to maturity and germination.

Why are cucumbers being planted in the fall, and what type of cucumbers are they?

Cucumbers are being planted in the fall because they can handle cool weather and mature quickly. The type of cucumbers mentioned are pickling cucumbers, which are intended for making pickles.

What is the purpose of using Bootstrap Farmer Cell Packs as mentioned in the script?

Bootstrap Farmer Cell Packs are used for starting seedlings indoors before transplanting them into the garden. They are praised for their quality, affordability, and root-pruning features that prevent roots from coiling and promote healthy root growth.

What are some of the leafy greens being planted in the fall garden?

Some of the leafy greens being planted include cabbage, kale, lettuce, Mauna mustard greens, and cilantro.

Why is zucchini considered a good crop for fall planting?

Zucchini is considered a good crop for fall planting because it matures quickly, taking only 45 to 50 days, and is a high producer of fruit, making it a valuable addition to a fall garden.

What is powdery mildew and why is it a concern for fall gardening?

Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that affects plants, causing a white powdery substance on leaves and stems. It is a concern for fall gardening because cool, damp conditions common in fall can promote its growth, especially on cucurbit crops like zucchini.