UGA Cooperative Extension
Bryan County Extension
Agriculture & Natural Resources
No Time to Relax.....
It's Fall Gardening Time
You've survived another long, hot, dry, Southern summer complete with mosquitos, sand gnats and deer flies. I know that you really don't want to get back into gardening right now. It's still too hot and muggy. But, if you want to enjoy the fresh taste of turnips, mustard and collards, you have to get to work pretty soon.
A fall garden can provide wonderful vegetables and beautiful colors for you to enjoy. Most of the late season vegetables I would plant fall into two categories: (a) leafy green vegetables like collards, cabbage, broccoli, and (b) root crops such as carrots, radishes, and onions.
The following are a few cultural practices I would encourage you to follow to make your fall gardening experiences a productive and enjoyable adventure.
Make a Plan - In your plan select a site with plenty of sun, near a water supply, and with good texture and drainage. Select crops that you like best and that will produce an adequate amount with just a few plants. Make a map of your garden and keep it current so that the vegetables can be rotated from year to year.
Cultivars, Seeds and Plants - Use recommended cultivars for most of your planting. You may want to try new cultivars on a small scale to determine their worth in your area.
Lime and Fertilizer - A soil test should be run to determine lime and fertilizer needs. Do not add lime without taking a soil test. If you do not have a soil test run, remember that most fall vegetables are heavy feeders. A pH of 6.0 to 6.5 is recommended for all garden vegetables except Irish potatoes, which require a pH of 5.5 to 5.8. A general fertilizer recommendation is 1.5 pounds or 1.5 pints per 100 sq. ft. of 10-10-10. At least a portion of the fertilizer should be applied in a band three inches to the side and slightly below seed level. Another 1.5 pounds should be broadcast or added as a side dressing about three weeks after planting.
Soil Preparation - Spade or turn deeply to bury added organic matter such as compost, leaf mold or well-rotted sawdust.
Planting the Garden - A planting chart with information on cultivars, planting dates, and spacing can be obtained from your local extension office.
Cultivation and Mulch - Cultivate or hoe the garden as often as needed to control weeds and grasses. Do not cultivate or hoe too deeply, or root damage will result. A mulch of straw, dried lawn clippings, leaves, sawdust or pine straw will help conserve moisture, control weeds and reduce cultivation.
Watering - Water as often as needed to maintain a uniform moisture supply. Water early in the morning so foliage will dry off quickly. This practice will help prevent diseases.
Control Insects, Diseases and Nematodes - If nematodes are present, control measures must be taken before the crop is planted. Preventive control measures can be used for insects and diseases or can be started as soon as problems are spotted. Contact your local Extension Office at 653-2231 for assistance in pest identification and recommended control measures.
Remember that fall gardening can be beautiful as well as productive. Add a few of the ornamental cabbages and kales, some brightly colored mums, and pansies. These additions will bloom all winter long and can really make your time in the garden an enjoyable one.
I knew you wouldn't be able to resist the temptation to get out in the dirt and start digging again. Good Luck on a bountiful crop!
