It’s Almost Fall Garden Time

Fall Garden Time! IT’S ALMOST

story + photo by Leslie Worthy

Here we are in the dog days of

summer (and our last issue of the season!), thinking of cooler weather

ahead, and harvesting the last of our summer garden. I always have such a melancholy feeling when pulling the last of the vegetables from the garden. It seems to mark the end of wonderful times with family + friends— barbecues, outings at the lake, and marshmallows around a campfire!

But that does not have to be the end of the garden, or that summer feeling! Now is the time to plant a fall garden. What?! A garden in the fall? Yes! There are plenty of yummy vegetables that can be planted at the summer’s end to harvest and enjoy well into the fall months.

While summer is naturally considered the season for a traditional vegetable garden, fall’s cooler temperatures are ideal for growing as there are fewer diseases and pests to devastate plants. In addition, many varieties that would never grow easily in warmer seasons flourish in cooler (and even cold!) weather.

So, let’s get growing!

• plan to plant your fall garden mid to end of August • remove all dead and harvested vines and plants from the garden to make room for new seeds/seedlings • weed as needed • add some fresh compost or other type of fertilizer to give soil a boost of nutrition • plant seeds or seedlings according to directions given on packaging

shutterstock.com

Some vegetables that flourish in a fall garden: • arugula • beets • broccoli • brussels sprouts • cabbage • carrots • cauliflower • garlic • kale, collards • kohlrabi • lettuce • onions • peas • radishes • spinach • Swiss chard

Flower of the Month

Zinnia

shutterstock.com These beauties are one of the easiest annuals to grow! The Zinnia flower will add an explosion of color to any garden. These hardy flowers bloom late spring until the first frost in fall. Butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to the vibrance of the blossoms that boast nearly every bright color imaginable. They grow quickly and unfailingly, making them a great choice for first-time flower growers. Plant these lovelies and enjoy the endless magnificence they offer!

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GARDEN CENTER

7185 N. S.R. 13 North Webster, IN 46555 574-834-2249

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