Suggestions for a fall garden

[albert w]

My garden was a flop this year. Just too dry here, in Iowa. Very few tomatoes, few beans, small onions, small garlic, the lettuce bolted, etc. The only thing that looks ok is the melon patch (which I watered).

So, I'm thinking about a fall garden. I'm zone 5b. Since this would be my first time, ANY help is appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[canesisters]

(bump)

I'd be interested to see what suggestions you get. I didn't even attempt one this summer but a fall garden sounds interesting.

 

[wyoDreamer]

I just planted my second crop of peas and found some space for a bunch of beans. Don't know what I'll get for a crop, but heck, the seeds were just sitting there on the shelf.
Been told that Kale and chard like the hot summer to grow in and will grow well into the fall. Also carrots and radishes, my mom always planted a second crop of those for fall picking.
I have a cold frame type structure over the garden to extend the season out into fall, since I am officially a zone 4, but grow much closer to a zone 2/3 because of my elevation (7400 feet).
If you can shade the soil, you could start some lettuce. I have lettuce behind the tomatoes for shade. However, the spinach and one kind of lettuce has bolted due to the heat and death of a tomato plant. Oh, and I didn't know that Baby Bok Cabbage would bolt also, but 1/2 of mine sure did! Giving up on spinach until Sept.

 

[albert w]

(bump)

I'd be interested to see what suggestions you get. I didn't even attempt one this summer but a fall garden sounds interesting.

Canesisters, in the hobbies forum there is a thread "Green thumb itching, anyone else?". I asked about a fall garden there and got some great info! Scroll to the last page or two to find the start of that conversation. Have fun!

 

[albert w]

I just planted my second crop of peas and found some space for a bunch of beans. Don't know what I'll get for a crop, but heck, the seeds were just sitting there on the shelf.
Been told that Kale and chard like the hot summer to grow in and will grow well into the fall. Also carrots and radishes, my mom always planted a second crop of those for fall picking.
I have a cold frame type structure over the garden to extend the season out into fall, since I am officially a zone 4, but grow much closer to a zone 2/3 because of my elevation (7400 feet).
If you can shade the soil, you could start some lettuce. I have lettuce behind the tomatoes for shade. However, the spinach and one kind of lettuce has bolted due to the heat and death of a tomato plant. Oh, and I didn't know that Baby Bok Cabbage would bolt also, but 1/2 of mine sure did! Giving up on spinach until Sept.

Thank you! That's great help!

 

[galanie]

Around here, fall is the only time you can grow a lot of things and have them do well.

Like carrots, lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, garlic, spinach, peas, and kale. But we can still also plant tomatoes in August for a fall crop. But in august you have to shade them till it cools down some.

 

[mong7769]

In another couple of weeks, say the middle of august to the last week or so you can start planting the crops that like it cooler. Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, some of that, especially if you are willing to do a little work with PVC and plastic and cover your garden area some. Also all of the greens . . . lettuce, musclin, spinach, etc. If you want a fantastic book on the subject, see Elliot Coleman's 'Winter Harvest Handbook' and 'Four Season Harvest'.

My garden did not do well either. Been buying a lot from the farmer's market. Hopefully next year will be better!

 

[albert w]

Thanks mong. We've been hitting the farmer markets too. Normally I have about 15 pounds of my own beans frozen by now. This year... About 2 pounds.

 

[albert w]

Around here, fall is the only time you can grow a lot of things and have them do well.

Like carrots, lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, garlic, spinach, peas, and kale. But we can still also plant tomatoes in August for a fall crop. But in august you have to shade them till it cools down some.

I think that would be my main problem. It's pretty hot for new seedlings but I'll give it a couple of weeks and start planting!