Transitioning Your Summer Garden to Fall: A Beginner's Guide to Harvesting, Soil Prep, and Planting
When I started gardening I really prepped for spring. I planned for summer. I could figure those seasons out because that's the growing season right? Wrong!
In our area we have 4 full seasons. Spring, summer, fall, and winter. And because out winters are mild, we can actually grow things outside with very little to no intervention. I had no idea! Through my own learning trajectory, I found out that fall is one of the best times of year to keep your garden thriving and to plant additional cool crops, while rotating in cold weather crops as your summer ones become finished. This transition from summer to fall became a new exciting step in the process. One that started in July with planning, and then ended with our hard frost. And when I say ended, I just stopped planting, but trust me things are growing!
If you're new to the idea of fall gardening, don't worry!
With the right techniques, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest well into the cooler months.
Let's dive into how to make this transition smoothly, from harvesting your summer plants, to prepping your soil and planning your next round of crops.
Harvesting Your Summer Plants: Savor the Last of Summer’s Bounty
As you are interplanting your fall crops, you'll be wrapping up your summer seasons by harvesting your remaining crops. Timing is key here—harvesting too early can leave your veggies underdeveloped, while waiting too long can lead to overripe, less flavorful produce.
Pick Regularly: Check your garden daily as summer comes to an end. Tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers tend to ripen quickly, so keep an eye on them and harvest as soon as they’re ready. This will also encourage your plants to continue producing right up until the first frost.
Harvesting Techniques: Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to snip herbs and leafy greens, cutting them above a leaf node to promote regrowth or doing the good old "pony tail" chop. For any remaining root vegetables like carrots or beets, gently loosen the soil around them before pulling them up to avoid breaking the roots.
3. Use It All: Don’t let anything go to waste! Herbs can be dried or frozen, tomatoes can be canned or made into sauce, and extra veggies can be shared with friends or neighbors. If you’ve got more produce than you know what to do with, consider donating to a local food bank.
Soil Preparation: Setting the Stage for a Thriving Fall Garden
Once you have space in your summer garden by pulling out spent crops, it’s time to focus on preparing your soil for fall planting. Healthy soil is the foundation of a successful garden, so don’t skip this step!
Clean Up Debris: Remove any leftover plant material, weeds, and old mulch from your garden beds. This helps prevent pests and diseases from overwintering in your garden.
Add Compost: Summer crops can take a lot out of your soil, so replenish its nutrients by adding a generous layer of compost. Compost not only feeds your soil but also improves its structure, helping with water retention and root growth. This should be well rotted so it isn't too hot for your seeds.
Work the Soil: Lightly turn the soil with a garden fork to mix in the compost. This also aerates the soil, which is beneficial for root development.
Check the pH: Fall is a great time to test your soil’s pH levels. Most vegetables prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0-7.0). If your soil is too acidic or alkaline, amend it accordingly to create the optimal environment for your fall crops.
Planting Your Fall Garden: What to Plant Next?
With your summer plants harvested and your soil prepped, it’s time for the fun part—planning what to grow next! Fall gardening offers a unique opportunity to plant cool-season crops that thrive in the cooler temperatures.
Choose Your Crops: Start with easy-to-grow vegetables that are well-suited for fall, such as spinach, lettuce, radishes, and carrots. These crops love the cooler weather and will give you a quick and rewarding harvest. Additionally, consider planting garlic this season, which you can harvest the following summer.
Succession Planting: Extend your harvest by planting in succession. For example, plant a row of lettuce every two weeks to ensure a continuous supply throughout the fall.
Interplanting: Maximize your garden space by interplanting fast-growing crops like radishes with slower-growing ones like broccoli. This way, you’ll harvest the radishes before the broccoli needs more room to grow. This is key to plant your fall garden before your summer one is completely spent.
Consider Cover Crops: If you don’t plan to use all your garden space for fall veggies, consider planting cover crops like clover or rye. These plants improve soil fertility, prevent erosion, and suppress weeds, setting the stage for a more productive garden next spring.
Row Covers and Cold Frames: To extend your growing season even further, use row covers or cold frames to protect your plants from early frosts. These simple structures can make all the difference in getting a few more weeks of growth from your fall garden.
Ready to Start Your Fall Garden?
Transitioning from a summer to a fall garden is an exciting journey that offers a fresh start and new challenges. Whether you’re looking to extend your harvest, experiment with new crops, or simply enjoy the cooler weather in your garden, fall is the perfect time to dive in. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to start, I’m here to help! Book a fall garden consultation today, and let’s get your garden prepped and planted for a bountiful fall harvest. Your future self will thank you!
