How to Extend Your Vegetable Garden Into Fall

 Recently, a relative said to me, "Your garden is about done, isn't it?" Readers, it's mid-September here in York County, PA and I am by no means, done. If I'm done harvesting food before Christmas, I'm going to be disappointed. Now, the point of this post isn't to brag but to let you know, you can have a productive vegetable garden all through fall too! Fresh, homegrown vegetables are delicious and so healthy so spreading out the amount of time you get them is a total win! Here are some things to think about. 

My garden in Mid September

1. Pick the right variety of plants. One of the main culprits of the season ending is that you're plants are either A) varieties that set fruit and die or B)highly susceptible to disease which they get and die. Knowing that, look for varieties of indeterminate tomatoes that will continue to produce until frost. Especially look for disease resistant varieties. I love my Martha Washington Indeterminate tomatoes which are still going strong and I've not sprayed them with anything all summer. 

2. Practice succession planting. I'm harvesting green beans this week because I planted more in the middle of July. You don't have to plant a lot, just a small patch here and there to continue harvesting for fresh eating. Some plants need too much time before harvest to do this but many, such as green beans and zucchini grow quickly and lend themselves to multiple plantings. 

3. Include some vegetable varieties that shine in fall. This is the time of year for pumpkins, winter squash, pop corn, Brussel sprouts, dried beans and more. Some vegetables take a long time to grow but it's worth it when fall comes and you're still hauling in delicious food. It's especially worth in February when you can get a winter squash out of your basement and enjoy the yummiest soup ever. 

4. Embrace cool weather crops. All brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, etc) love cooler weather. Spinach, peas, lettuce, carrots, and turnips love cooler weather. For more info on growing them, check out this link. 

5. Finally, stay on top of things. If you've kept on top of the weeds, watered when necessary, mulched as much as possible, harvested veggies instead of letting them rot on the plant (like my next door neighbors) and removed diseased material out of your garden through the summer, you are in a great place to relax in the fall. I'm only really out in the garden a few times a week this time of year and getting a lot out of it. 

So there you are, you can totally do this and maximize your vegetable returns. How is your fall garden? Feel free to comment below!