The Time Has Come to Plant Fall Vegetables

Late summer and early fall is the best time to plant many cool season vegetables in Alabama. Days are getting shorter and cooler, and it is the ideal time for leafy vegetables that tend to bolt or send up flower stalks during the warm months of late spring and early summer.

Cool season vegetables, such as turnips, rutabagas, collards, kale, mustard, spinach, Swiss chard, cabbage and kholrabi can be planted from mid August through September. In areas of the state such as ours, we do not receive early killing frosts, leafy greens will continue to grow. In fact, some leafy greens are sweeter tasting and more tender after they have had some frost on the leaves.

Plant broccoli and cauliflower from seed in August. Transplants can be set out in the garden in September.

Fast-growing, cool-season vegetables, such as leaf lettuces, arugula, and radishes, can be planted every two weeks to extend the harvest period in the fall.

Fall is also a good time to plant onion seed. They are slow-growing and won't be ready to harvest this fall, but by planting seed in warm soil, they will continue to grow. Onions overwinter in the soil when temperatures do not get extremely cold. Remember to plant short-day varieties, such as Granex 33 or Texas Grano 502. Onion seed should be planted in mid
October. Start onion seed in an open flat using a soilless growing media.

If you prefer to plant onion transplants, or white, yellow or red sets, plant them in late December or January. However, prepare the soil in the fall when soil moisture is just right (not too wet or too dry).

Fall gardens may need more attention than spring gardens. Water the garden to compensate for unusually dry periods in the fall. Control weeds with the help of mulches. Scout your garden weekly, or better yet, even daily, for insect pests. After the summer growing season, some pest numbers may be high in or around your garden.

The same pests that feed on cabbage leaves, cabbage worms and cabbage loopers, also enjoy feeding on other members of the Brassica family (broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and collards). The caterpillars are so well camouflaged, the same color of leaves, they are hard to see. But you won't miss the feeding they have done on your leaves or the frass they leave behind. Start early when you first detect their feeding by using Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis), a naturally derived insecticide that is safe to you, but makes caterpillars sick. Plant members of the brassica family in an area where a vegetable in a different family was planted for the last few seasons. This will reduce chances of some soil-borne diseases and root maggots.

Use fertilizer prior to planting according to soil test recommendations. Members of the brassica family have a higher than average need for nitrogen. Apply higher levels of ammonium nitrate (34-0-0 during the growing season. We have several publications on fall gardening and a fall planting guide with dates and varieties available in our office or through our website at www.aces.edu.

Wildlife Food Plots

Although it's still hot and it feels like the dog days of summer, hunting season is right around the corner. Now is the time to begin preparing for wildlife food plots this fall and winter. Deer require an abundance and variety of natural food for proper growth and reproduction.

However, in areas where deer populations are high or all the natural vegetation has been eliminated for one reason or another, supplemental food plots can be planted.

Small grains and clovers are planted as a winter grazing source for deer. Seeds of corn, grain sorghum, beans and peas are energy rich foods that are suitable for food plots and are planted during the summer. Clovers, such as Regal Ladino, Osceola Ladino, and Crimson are well suited for this area and should be established from September to October.

Begin site preparation now by first taking a soil sample of the area to determine lime and fertilizer recommendations. Even the most expensive, specially designed "deer mixes" will perform poorly if there is improper soil pH or fertilizing is estimated.

Next, prepare the plots as you would a seedbed for a vegetable garden if possible. This will include plowing to remove roots, stumps and vines, and then disking to smooth and level the ground. If liming is needed, apply and incorporate into the soil during seedbed preparation. And last, plant the seeds at proper depth when soil temperature and moisture are at best. Many of the clovers need to be planted at 0 to ½ inch deep, while peas, beans and rye grass can be planted a little deeper. We have planting guides with all this information at the Tallapoosa County Extension Office.