Planning Your Fall Garden

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Many home gardeners are getting ready to plant their fall garden or already are planting it. Now is the time to plant turnips, cauliflower, broccoli, beets, endive and carrots. Before you plant seed or break ground, follow these tips to ensure a healthy, disease-free harvest.

** Buy high-quality seed. Using your own seed, saved from last year, increases the chance of spreading soil borne diseases.

** Avoid planting in ground where you have grown vegetables for several years. Stay clear of sites that have suffered from disease problems in the past.

** If you plan to use last year's site, check for signs of nematodes on remaining plants or vegetables. Also check for nematodes on new sites, as well.

Taking these precautions prior to planting will aid you in harvesting quality vegetables.