How many of you southerners plant a fall garden?

Growing up we always planted a huge garden in the spring right after the last frost. You'd pick it until about now, mid to late July, and then it was pretty much done. By that time we had everything we needed.

Now that I'm planting my own garden its a lot smaller, 30'x36' or so, and it has done great. Everything is pretty much done now except for our tomatoes.

I got to thinking, I've got plenty of time left until we see the first frost, typically right before Halloween, why not plant for round 2?

Picking beans and cutting okra in October sounds a lot better than doing it in June. I am looking at planting limas, pink eye purple hull peas, okra, and some more green beans. Longest maturity would be the peas at 70 days. If I planted August 8th (next weekend) that would put them being ready October 17th. That would give me 4 good pickings before the first frost.

Of course the limas, green beans, and okra would be ready before that.

Do you guys get 2 rounds in with our longer growing season?

In Oregon we always used to plant the second garden about now. Snap peas, broccoli, all the good greens, etc.

My bride wants to plant a second crop of green beans and beets. I dont know why as we still have beans from last year plus this years first crop. Pickled beets are always good and as a bonus it makes your pee red.

Yep, that peeing red sure can be shocking until you remember why.

Carrots are another good second crop.

Turnips, kale, rutabaga, onions

I haven't lately but used to put a late crop of carrots in...any greens are good too and don't get bitter or want to bolt...

Potatoes will keep pretty good in the ground.

We didn't have a "fall" garden just a garden that something was growing in year round. Now is the time to start the cabbage, collards, broccolli, onions, carrots, turnips, mustard, rutabegas. Many of those will get a second planting in February for a spring crop.

Fall gardens happen up north too. I don't really do it but have read about it. I plant after mothers day and eat out that garden all summer. Some people plant late June for it to be ready in fall for all the canning. The weather is more cool in the fall for canning, its not so hot and miserable.

I've planted lettuce and spinach, but that's it

Corn Salad, it will grow all winter here.

We are going to plant some more beets tomorrow. My wife pulled what came up, which wasn't many. I think it was too cold for them to take off good from the first planting. I have no clue how they will do, but what am I out a $3 pack of seeds? I had beets with supper that she pulled today.

Fall gardens are fun and much easier. Timing is what is important. Getting things in the ground according to maturity date and first frost date.

Your broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and greens will be fine. The spring crops you talk about planting for the fall can stunt due to decreasing sunlight.

Brussel sprouts are good to plant NOW!! They need a tremendous amount of fertilizer and need to be staked with three bamboo shoots.

All your greens will be good.

Just keep an eye on the weather and the temp in October. You may need some row covers on your broccoli and definitely on your cauliflower.

Start any carrots when the temperature is in the 70s maybe low 80s. Without cover they will germinate in about two weeks. With cover you can get 3-4 days. Youtube it.

You will enjoy a fall garden. It's easier and cooler.

Thank you bowhunter27569387612390, I'll let you know how it turns out!

Probably start planting this weekend. Peas will be longest to maturity. 70 days. If I get them in this weekend that will put them being ready October 11th. Should give a few good pickings before we get that frost

I've always struggled with peas, sugar snap/english not field/black eye. Seems like they're a goldilocks plant when it comes to heat and need to be timed just so to hit that window. Dad would grow sugar snaps and seems like he planted in February maybe January and they were done by mid April.

While I love our mild winter grow something all year long I hate our springs that go from frost to heat wave all in the same day, lol.

I typically do good with the pink eye purple hull peas. I haven't ever tried the english peas

Field peas are easy as they are so tough and can handle heat and neglect in stride.

English peas on the other hand dont do heat at all.

We can go from 30 to 80 in the same day and don't have a long spring or fall of cool weather.

Field peas are easy as they are so tough and can handle heat and neglect in stride.

English peas on the other hand dont do heat at all.

We can go from 30 to 80 in the same day and don't have a long spring or fall of cool weather.