Midsummer Planting: It Ain't Over By a Long Shot!
Seeds germinate best in warmer soil; many crops thrive in cooler autumnal weather; and late summer planting benefits from reduced pest and weed pressure.
Cauliflower, radishes, and carrots are among the many crops that thrive in the cooler weather of late summer into early fall, one of the best growing seasons in Vermont. ILLUSTRATIONS BY WHITNEY LAMY
Did you forget to get your garden started in spring? Or perhaps critters treated your early summer veggie beds like their personal all-you-can-eat salad bar. Want to extend the growing season deep into the fall? If any of these ring true, you’re in luck!
Sometimes life offers a second chance, and that’s true with gardening. People often think gardens and farms close down after Labor Day, and nothing could be further from the truth! In fact, that’s when some of the best flavors emerge! With a little planning, you can get seeds in the warm soil of July and August and enjoy a rich harvest through the cooler days of September and October. Many crops that flourish in the spring are happy to make a return appearance in late summer.
Now’s the time to get motivated. Clean up a tired or spent section of your garden, refresh the beds with compost, and track down your seeds. Read the packet labels and look for quick-maturing varieties, or talk with the friendly and knowledgeable folks at garden centers who can provide worthy suggestions based on where you live. Once you get seeds in the soil, don’t forget to water regularly, especially when you hit a dry spell, and consider throwing a light layer of straw to protect the germinating seedlings from the August sun.
Sow what, sow when? Sow carrots and beets, peas, and some beans by early August. Leafy greens including lettuce, mesclun, arugula, spinach, chard, and kale can be seeded directly in the soil from mid to late August, as can radishes and salad turnips. And here’s why. Seeds germinate best in warmer soil; many crops thrive in cooler autumnal weather; and late summer planting benefits from reduced pest and weed pressure. For fast-maturing greens, consider sowing smaller rows every few weeks to spread out the harvest until those killing frosts.
By then, you’ll be craving winter squash and root vegetables!
