Time for fall planting

Summer is quickly going to be coming to a close as we wrap up the month of August and if you are like us you are scrambling to gather those summer vegetables to can and store away for the winter.  But the growing season is not over by a long shot, now is the time to get some of those greens and root vegetables planted.

Below is a list of what can be started from seed in our area and when to harvest.  Give yourself a plus or minus 2 weeks on the harvest time and even with some things like carrots, they can be left in the ground well into December if covered with a good amount of mulch.

What to plant from seed in Zone 5.

Siberian Kale - a cold hardy heirloom

Kale: Plant August and harvest in November.  It is even possible with the use of a low tunnel to keep harvesting Kale well into December.  Depending on the variety like Siberian Kale is frost hardy and can withstand several frost nights between 30-35 degrees.  Also with a tunnel it can protect the kale so that it is harvestable through the winter and give you a head start on year two before it flowers.








Lettuce: Plant August and harvest in October.  This is a great time to plant hardy leaf like romaine, bitter and reds.  They tolerate mild frost and will not typically bolt.  Use a tunnel to extend the harvest but by November they will typically die.

Look for cold hardy varieties like reds

Arrowhead Spinach

Spinach: Plant August and harvest in October. Spinach is unique in that depending on the variety, like arrowhead will tolerate moderate frost nights and again like kale using a tunnel can actually provide you with spinach well into January barring any deep freeze periods.





Broccoli: Plant August and harvest in November.  Now is an excellent time to start broccoli, but keep in mind they can be temperamental when starting with seeds.  Plants may be small but they typically produce and abundance of flowerettes at this time of year.  Tunnels can help protect till you can harvest but deep extended frost will kill the plant and leave rubbery harvest, but they are still great for stir-fry.

Carrot greens - not just for chickens

Beets and Carrots: Plant August and harvest in October.  Beets and carrots are well suited for colder climates.  Beauty is that you can harvest the greens for stir-fry, soups and more while the beet is still growing just leave a few greens in place.  Leaving them in the ground and cover with mulch will ensure that you can harvest them through the winter, in the even you don't have a root cellar to store them in.  Just make sure you don't allow the ground to freeze around them.  Cover with two to three inches of mulch or six to twelve inches of leaves and cover with plastic.  That will help keep the ground from freezing.




One word of warning when growing in raised beds, though they will typically start growing before the ground thaws, they are prone to freezing before the ground does.  Make sure you have a good mix of compost, and mulch in your raised beds and turn them completely before you plant your fall crops.

Next up - Start planning for the Spring, ground cover and get some seeds in before the snow flies!