What Can Wait a Little Longer
Not everything needs to be planted immediately here in August. We have fresh cole-crops arriving throughout September into October at our stores These fast-growing greens and cool-loving vegetables can often wait until temperatures begin to moderate a little bit more if you want to start your early fall veggies first.
Lettuce
Lettuce prefers cooler conditions, and excessive heat can make germination difficult or cause plants to bolt.
If your garden is still experiencing hot summer weather, wait for a cooler stretch or start seeds somewhere protected from intense afternoon sun. Once temperatures become more comfortable, sow additional rounds every couple of weeks for an extended harvest.
Spinach
Spinach loves cool weather and can tolerate surprisingly chilly conditions once established. In many climates, waiting until late summer heat begins to fade will give you better germination and healthier plants.
Radishes
There’s no need to rush radishes. Many varieties mature in only three to five weeks, making them perfect for filling small gaps in the fall garden.
Plant a small batch at a time and repeat every week or two for a steady harvest.
Arugula & Other Quick Greens
Arugula, mustard greens, baby kale, and Asian greens such as mizuna and tatsoi are excellent choices for cooler weather. Because many can be harvested young, you don’t necessarily need a long growing window.
Don’t Pull Out the Summer Garden Too Soon
Planning a fall garden doesn’t mean clearing everything out at once.
Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, herbs, and other warm-season crops may continue producing for weeks if they’re healthy. Instead of starting over, look for unused spaces where fall crops can gradually move in.
Remove plants that have stopped producing or are struggling with pests or disease, refresh the soil with compost, and use those spaces for your first fall plantings.
This gradual transition lets you keep harvesting summer favorites while your fall garden gets established.
Succession Plant for a Longer Harvest
One of the easiest ways to avoid having 20 heads of lettuce ready on the same day is succession planting.
Instead of planting an entire seed packet at once, sow smaller amounts every one to three weeks. This works particularly well for:
- Lettuce
- Radishes
- Arugula
- Spinach
- Cilantro
- Baby greens
As one planting reaches harvest size, another is coming along behind it.
