We tried our hand at planting a fall garden this year. Well, sort of. We actually planted things we thought might produce just prior to the first frost. Having never done this before, we were not sure what would happen.
One thing you can pretty much grow, year round, in the Southern United States, are tomatoes. We have always been able to produce these. Apparently, Lettuce, Onions, and Broccoli require way more attention and cooler temperatures than we are able to provide. So the lettuce is growing in pots inside the house and every once in a while Mr. K picks a few leaves for a salad. The onions were a flop. Same with the broccoli and the Brussels sprouts.
We determined that the pumpkins and winter squashes would have done better if planted where they would get more sun. Since we have only been in the house 2 years and this is our first (feeble) attempt at a garden, we at least were able to learn more about where the sun is shining throughout the day and which plants would do better where.
The one surprise in this experiment was the bush beans. They are growing like wildfire. So, perhaps over the next few years we can figure out what works in a Southern garden and what does not. For now, I am going outside to carve the $4 pumpkins I just purchased from Wal-Mart…
It’s the rocks….all we can grow are rocks, LOL!! The bush beans look great as do the tomatoes. Corn and blackeyed peas do well out here too. Of course they need longer to mature. We do best with raised beds…when we have the time!
My mother managed to grow a bumper crop of Brussels sprouts in ALASKA, so you might be a wee bit south (or maybe it’s a winter crop?)…
Our growing season in DC officially ended last night, when the temps dipped into the 30s overnight. Not freezing, but close enough!
You should check out Pattie, the “garden girl”.
She got a wonderful garden, actually I would call it an “urban farm”.
http://www.youtube.com/user/GardenGirltv
AND she knits. Of course this is after she sheared her own angora rabbits, carded and spun the yarn, geeze, talk about jealous!!
http://www.gardengirltv.com/fiber_arts_hand_spinning_rabbit_shearing_rabbit_to_hat_spectacular.html
Broccoli and Brussel Sprouts are winter crops here in South Louisiana. Plant them again, later in the year. Ask your local plant nursery for a bit of advice. I know we can get flyers from the Ag Extension agent for free at the nursery.