Before preparing the soil for your fall garden, you have to make a decision about what to do with the remnants of your spring garden. In the majority of cases, the choice is not hard to make, since the cool-season plants have matured and the warm-season vegetables are starting to look raggedy. Get rid of the previous crop remains and any weeds. Get the soil ready by spading or tilling six to eight inches deep.

Crops that were fertilized a lot in spring might not need a first pre-plant fertilization. Otherwise, use one to two pounds of a total fertilizer such as 10-10-10. Completely mix the fertilizer into your soil. Follow the directions on the bag of fertilizer.

Planting Your Fall Time Vegetable Garden

Seeding for crops like cabbage, collards, and broccoli are frequently used in fall. However, the success of this technique depends on having a sufficient source of water to keep the new seedlings vigorously growing after they germination. If there were no irrigation source available, you would be better off buying a vegetable transplant from a garden center.

In the fall plant seeds 1 to 2 times deeper then you would in the spring for the same type of plant, because there is less moisture in the soil, and the surface temperatures are higher.

When summers are, dry and hot soils might form a solid layer over seeds that can get in the way of seed germination, especially in clay soil. Spinach and lettuce seeds will not germinate when soil temperatures exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit. You may have to place a covering over the seeded area with newspapers, boards, or burlap to keep the area moist and cool. Shade the soil or use light mulch over the seed row to help keep temperatures down for germination to take place. Remove the shading material when the seeds start to germinate. New transplants will also profit from some shade for the first couple of days after transplanting.

Watering and Fertilizing Your Fall Time Vegetable Garden

Nearly all vegetables require at least one inch of water a week. A deep watering is better than repeated shallow waterings. New germinating seeds and seedlings might need repeated, gentle waterings. Do not leave seedlings to dry out. New transplants will also profit from repeated gentle waterings until they grow new roots.

Numerous fall maturing vegetables profit from side dressing with nitrogen just like spring maturing vegetables. Nearly all leafy vegetables will profit from a treatment of nitrogen three weeks after planting and then another treatment six weeks after.

Insects and Diseases in Your Fall Time Vegetable Garden

It is common for diseases and insects to be more prevalent in the fall. The majority of problems caused by diseases and insects come from a rise in their numbers throughout the spring and summer. You can keep these pests at an acceptable level by following a couple of simple rules. Do your best to keep fall vegetables fit and vigorously growing; fit plants are less vulnerable to diseases and insects. Inspect your plants frequently for disease and insect damage. If you find a large amount of damage, use a pesticide. The vegetables that are most at risk for diseases and insects during the later part of summer and fall are corn, cucumbers, and squash. Keep a close eye on these vegetables.

Frost Protection For Your Fall Time Vegetable Garden

You can increase the growing season of your vegetables by providing them with protection from the first frost. Cover rows or beds with burlap or a row cover held up by sticks or wire to prevent the material from coming in contact with the plants. Separate plants can be protected from frost by covering them with paper cups or milk jugs and containers.