Recent surveys show that approximately 40% of Americans grow their own fruits and vegetables.
These surveys aren’t counting the massive farms and orchards that make sure you have sweet corn and apples. Instead, that statistic reflects an increasing number of hobby growers, which range from gardeners watching over a single tomato plant on their patio to individuals with a small greenhouse in their backyard. After the COVID-19 pandemic upended cultural norms and turned grocery shopping into an unexpected ordeal, many Americans looked into growing their own produce. And like the endless proliferation of Zoom calls in an office job, this uptick in home produce growing looks to be here to stay.
Many staple fruits and vegetables are harvested in the summer. Peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, and a whole gamut of berries are easy for hobby growers to nurture. But what happens once you’ve harvested your own strawberries and marveled at how fresh they taste? Do you just toss out the soil and tuck the pot into a corner of your garage? You could, but there’s still plenty of growing season left for some fall vegetables. Lettuce, carrots, cauliflower, and various other leafy greens and root vegetables do well and can tolerate cooling temperatures. While pumpkins are certainly associated with fall, they’re actually planted earlier in the summer (think May) as they take a minimum of 90 days to mature and are very sensitive to cold.
Once you’ve harvested your summer produce, remove the remaining plant from the soil. Take this time to thoroughly weed the area too. If you have a compost pile, you can add the leftover leaves, stems, and roots to it as long as they do not show signs of disease.
Interested in composting? Check out ARBICO Organics’ composting supplies for starters, supplies, and vermiculture.
The next step is to tend to the soil. Summer vegetables and fruits tend to take a lot of nutrients out of the soil, and those nutrients need to be replenished for fall vegetables to take root and thrive. Start by turning the top six inches of soil to ensure that it is properly aerated. If you have the aforementioned compost pile, dip into it and spread some on the newly turned soil now. Finally, add mulch to maintain moisture and to smooth out the turned soil.
radishes tend to grow quickly, and Brussel sprouts actually sweeten after a patchy frost. It’s important to realize that as the days grow shorter, there is naturally less sunlight, which in turn causes plants to grow slower.
If you’re looking to get one last harvest in before winter brings snow and cold, August is the last realistic month for planting. Don’t dawdle and we wish you the best of harvests! - Robin @ ARBICO Organics
ARBICO Organics was founded in 1979 in Arizona. Over 40 years later, ARBICO Organics continues to produce innovative means of natural biological pest control, disease management, and organic grow supplements for hobbyists and professionals alike.
