5 CROPS FOR A SOUTHERN FALL OR WINTER GARDEN


Abby Ketchum
SunSouth
Did you know that you can actually have a garden year-round? In fact, it is an excellent resolution for keeping the tilth and richness of your garden's soil at its peak levels. However, there are certain crops that can only be grown during the winter and fall.
  1. Beets-This vegetable is actually tastier when it can mature during cooler weather. They only take about two months and can handle a light frost. Beets are perfect for a fall southern garden because of how late our winters are.
  2. Onions-Green onions can grow all winter throughout the South, and can be planted any time after the first of August. Here in the Deep South, sweet onions are typically planted in the fall for harvest the following summer.
  3. Turnips-For a quick turnaround crop, try planting turnips. Greens will be ready for harvest in a month while the roots will be ready in six weeks. The perfect time to plant them is after Labor Day.
  4. Lettuce-Looseleaf and butterhead lettuce varieties are best for cool-weather culture. Red lettuces and those with frilly leaves are more tolerant to cold than other types. It is best to try several new cultivars to find those that work best in your garden.
  5. Mustards-Asian mustards work great with the cool weather cultivation in the South. Bok choy should be started in cell trays and moved into the garden after Labor Day. With a fairly quick turnaround, it will be ready it a little over a month.
Don’t forget that just because it isn’t as hot outside, your plants still need to watered regularly.


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