Fall Is Near

There is frost on my tomatoes in the morning. All the summer veggies have slowed down or died back. I just did some major cleanup- pruning and composting dead plants. The weather forecasts for the next two days predict 92 degrees Fahrenheit.

After that, it should cool down to the 70s. I am itching to start planting peas, carrots, and brassicas. Because my climate is relatively mild, I want to experiment. ‘Tis the season for alliums. I’ve also started Parsley, Kale, Cilantro, Collards, Lettuce, Spinach, Chard, Radishes, and Beets. A couple of years back, I started “ Spring crops “ in March and April, and they bolted, so I’m starting my Bok Choi this week as an experiment. I will sow a succession if they sprout because they are one of my favorites.

I am also attempting some high-yield gardening methods for my newly built garden beds. My planting space is not very big, but I know I can fit quite a bit. I have 3 4ft by 4ft raised beds. I designed them to be 15 inches deep to allow for more root expansion and less stress on the crops looking for nutrients. I also have the wonderful and amazing GreenStalk garden towers! Their Original Tower has 5 tiers with 6 10-inch deep pockets, that’s 30 plants with a footprint of about 2 feet! I have 2! And 1 of their Leaf Towers has 7 tiers with 6 7-inch pockets for a total of 42 plants.

This past season, I used containers to grow my paste tomatoes for homemade tomato sauce and summer squash, but everything else grew in the towers and beds.

This will be my first Fall growing season I am looking forward to a bountiful harvest!

Snapdragons, Dahlias, and Basil from my garden.