Hi all,
Hope that the summer heat is helping and not hurting your vegetables. I know for my family that keeping up with the watering can be a task sometimes, especially if you all of a sudden remember – “Oh no, I have to water the plants.” Then you look at the clock and it is already 10am, and you sigh as you know that outside it is going to be warm to say the least.
Well, autumn will soon be here. The temperatures will cool down, especially for us in Pennsylvania as a northeastern state. Up where I live in Lackawanna County it will be a little cooler than in Schuylkill, but have no fear, there are still plants that you can grow by seed this time of year. Some plants actually like the cooler weather. The biggest factor to consider is the sunlight requirements and days required for growth from that particular vegetable. Many of the winter squash that we started earlier this year hopefully (fingers crossed) have some fruit on the vines. For our more northern climates, it is a little too late to get them started and get a productive harvest before the snow flies. However, a more summer squash, like zucchini, could be started now and still give a harvest as we continue. The biggest piece there is to watch for potential early frosts, which could damage these more delicate plants. Even some cucumbers can do well in the more southern parts of the state. Cucumbers actually do like the cooler temps, though we often think of them as a hot summer crop.
The crops to focus on though are members of the Brassica family, like cabbage, collards, broccoli and cauliflower, who love the cool to cold temps and actually can be better tasting with a frost. Lettuce also loves the cool temperatures of fall. Also, radishes, beets and carrots can thrive in this next season and can help extend your growing season. Also, you can do small pots of herbs that you can start outdoors and bring indoors as the temperatures drop. Basil, oregano and thyme are great potted plants that can also love being in your home during the winter.
Within the Penn State Schuylkill Seed Bank & Library, some great choices for fall include the following options:
- Cherry Belle Radishes
- Slenderette Green Beans
- Bouquet Dill
- Georgia Collards
- Cilantro
- Snowball Y Cauliflower
- Waltham Broccoli
- Scarlet Nantes Carrots
- Chioggia Beets
- Rainbow Beets
- Green Onions
- Sugar Snap Peas
- Bloomsdale Spinach
Herbs, as I mentioned, are great indoor plants and do not need large containers to thrive. Within the seed bank, we have some additional options:
- Basil
- Parsley
- Chives
- Italian Oregano
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Sage
So if any of these seeds sound of interest to you, then please email Mary Ann Smith, mvs14@psu.edu with your requests and we’ll get them shipped to by mail to you.
If you’re looking for a quick science project with the kids, growing some small root vegetables or herbs can provide a great basis for many children, while also providing an educational setting to explain how our food grows and then makes it to the table.
I’ll soon be sharing some methods for saving seeds, so keep an eye out for those updates as well.
Happy Gardening!