Extension

Summertime in Oklahoma is heating up, but gardeners should be getting their plans together for fall gardening.

 

Some of the best quality garden vegetables in Oklahoma are grown and harvested during the fall season. Warm, sunny days followed by cool, humid nights provide the perfect conditions for optimal garden production. During this time, plant soil metabolism is low, which means more of the food manufactured by the plant becomes a high-quality vegetable product.

 

Gardeners can grow crops such as carrots, beets and spinach well into the fall. Varieties of lettuce are other good choices. Another option is to do a second planting of fast-maturing summer vegetables such as cucumber, zucchini or green beans.

 

Gardeners need to be aware of high soil temperatures when planning fall gardens. The climatic conditions of late July and into August involve high soil temperature, high light intensity and rapid drying of the soil, all of which increase the problem of obtaining a uniform stand of plants.

 

Achieving a full stand of plants when the temperature is at or near triple digits may require special treatments such as shade over rows when seeded, or supplemental watering to reduce soil temperature and to help encourage germination. In addition, seeds need proper temperature, adequate irrigation and sufficient oxygen. Remember to soak seeds overnight before planting. This will speed up germination and seedling emergence when the seeds are most susceptible to death in the hot, dry soil.

 

Some seeds require shallow planting, which exposes them to high soil temperatures. Gardeners may need to apply mulch over the row following planting and watering. Shade cloths or boards may also be used, then remove when seedlings emerge. Another option is to sow seeds in a small seed flat, then transfer to the garden. Broccoli, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, leaf lettuce, Brussels sprouts and cabbage respond well to this method of planting.

 

Insects can be a challenge for gardeners in the fall. These pests can cause serious damage in a short amount of time. It’s a good idea to examine plants regularly – at least twice weekly. Look under leaves, along stems and at the plant base or crown for the insects themselves or signs of plant damage. OSU Extension has an informative fact sheet, EPP-7313 Home Vegetable Garden Insect Pest Control, available online to provide gardeners guidance with pest control.

 

Gardeners who find themselves with a bountiful harvest of some of their cool-season crops can extend the life of the produce by storing it in a cool, moist location. Root crops such as carrots, beets, rutabagas, turnips and Irish potatoes should remain in usable condition until late winter when stored properly. Store the vegetables in ventilated plastic bags in a cool basement or cellar. Another option for storage once these veggies reach maturity is to simply leave them in the ground. They’ll be fine until about January. To protect them from the cold, the soil layer over the mound should be 6 to 10 inches thick.

 

Fall vegetable gardening is a great way to keep the taste of fresh produce in your kitchen beyond the traditional summer garden.