Are you ready for fall season vegetable gardening yet?
Summer is almost over and in Southern California it’s time to think about your favorite cool weather crops.
For many gardeners, autumn means cutting back on the amount of gardening you do and getting your garden ready for cold weather, but for us, that is not the case. Instead, we get ready for another growing season filled with delicious vegetables and fruits.
I have some recommendations for cool weather crops, but as we all know, in California, (especially for urban gardeners) space is at a premium. To make sure you get the most out of your garden, always choose the plants that you and your family will use the most, and it grows well in your garden. If your microclimate is not suitable for onions, even though you might love onions, it is not good use of space to plant onions for the meager harvest you’ll have. When space is tight, consider which veggies you truly want to grow in your garden, and which ones are easier or less expensive to purchase.
The plants listed here work for both late summer and late winter, so should be able to take at least two harvests from your garden.
My favorite plants are:
Beets
Broccoli
Cabbage – red and green
Carrots
Swiss Chard – all colors
Red Russian Kale
Lettuce – romaine, butter crunch, Sangria
Leeks
Peas
Potatoes
Radish
Spinach
Arugula
Brussels Sprouts
Cauliflower
Celery
Chinese Cabbage
Collards
Endive
Fennel
Garlic
Onions
Micro Greens
Turnips
To make sure you are successful, group these plants into zones so the soil type and watering requirements of the plants are the same. You might think this is not that important, but it will help prevent wasting water, fertilizer, and time. In the end, you will end up with a better looking and better tasting crop, and a bigger harvest, at a lower cost. Now get out there, roll up your sleeves, and get to work.
Happy Gardening!
Fred
Maximus Gardens
Southern California Aquaponics
2016
Maple Creek Farm PNW 