Plant a Fall Garden (2024) #29

[@ladyofthewest_5512]

I feel so validated by you saying we have had a challenging growing season. I’m just a few miles from you and I was starting to feel like a bad gardener, and I know I’m not. It’s just nice to hear from an expert that I’m not alone in the struggle.

[@eileen1157]

I felt the same!! I'm nowhere near Washington, but same zone!

[@SusansInTheGarden]

No, you are not a bad gardener! I think this has been the most challenging season I've ever experienced and I'm very willing to admit it! Hang in there.

[@eigleenalegri2664]

Thank you for the advice for extended use of the garden

[@SusansInTheGarden]

My pleasure!

[@eileen1157]

Thank you, Susan! I got an alert during work about this video and was excited to get to it this evening! As always, you gave such helpful information!!

[@SusansInTheGarden]

Hi, Eileen. Thanks so much! I appreciate your taking the time to let me know.

[@dustyflats3832]

Thank you Susan. Many of us have had a difficult growing season. I had a great start using low tunnel for very early brassicas and it is a lot of work to monitor the different covers. Then the rain just didn’t quit at a critical time for tomatoes and they were stunted. Most other plants did ok unless they were susceptible to mildew/fungus. I just noticed yesterday that salvia were rotting in the middle. I guess this swamp season is almost over.

[@SusansInTheGarden]

What a season this has been! I'm still hoping things will turn around, although it's looking a bit better out in the garden now.

[@francesmacdonald-davis5207]

Thank you Susan! Very helpful information and I really appreciate the crop recommendations.

[@SusansInTheGarden]

I'm so glad it was helpful. Thank you, Frances.

[@michellefraser4588]

Great video thank you Susan.

[@SusansInTheGarden]

Thank you, Michelle!

[@annettevanderklippe1653]

In my garden the trees cast more shade in September, before the leaves fall. And with shorter days also, I find I need to add 10 days or so to the days to maturity, or focus on the sunnier parts of the garden. Good ideas here, Im going to try starting more peas - thank you!

[@SusansInTheGarden]

Sounds good!

[@vernamcguire6759]

Thank you, Susan! We had gophers decimate everything, I have to start over with building raised beds, This gives me a second chance at having something for this year... I love your videos and all you share to teach us all! Ive followed since 2019, Again, Thank you! I had thrips last year that hit my cucumbers, all squash and pumpkins, during 100 plus days, Alaways seems to be a new pestilance every year. Im in 9B Murrieta Ca

[@SusansInTheGarden]

Hi, Verna. It's nice to meet you. Thanks so much for your kind comments. Yes, definitely plant a few crops for the fall.

[@KristySmith-e3z]

Thank you, Susan! You always give us wonderful information for the garden!

[@SusansInTheGarden]

Thanks for your kind comment!

[@annijohnson6210]

Thanks, Susan!

[@SusansInTheGarden]

My pleasure!

[@joannechack8433]

Great video. Lots of good info for fall challenges. Thank you so much!

[@SusansInTheGarden]

Thank you, Joanne!

[@lucieengen7046]

Good morning Susan, thank you for another great video. My pea crop was dismal this spring so I’m going to try starting some in my greenhouse to plant out. 😁

[@bettymaupin6169]

Thanks Susan, Another great video.

[@SusansInTheGarden]

Thank you so much, Betty!

[@joycedagostino8869]

Great tips Susan. I am starting some for the fall garden, such a struggle this year with the first cold and overcast conditions and then the immediate and extreme heat. Good tip too about the peas, trying to work around the high temperatures even for a time when we normally could plant outside is a good recommendation. I have some of the white turnips and looking forward to trying them out. Hope you have great results with your fall plantings.

[@SusansInTheGarden]

Thanks, Joyce. Yes, this year's weather has been so challenging. On the positive side, I think you'll really like those white turnips!

[@barbkenas5663]

Great info, might try a few of these suggestions!

[@SusansInTheGarden]

Sounds good!

[@michellenye1493]

Do you plant cauliflower? I’ve had poor outcomes and would love to learn from you how to be successful with this crop.

[@SusansInTheGarden]

Hi, Michelle. To be honest, I gave up trying to grow cauliflower years ago. I think our climate here in Spokane, Wash. is just too hot and dry. I'm not sure where you live but I found an article for you that might be helpful: extension.umn.edu/vegetables/growing-cauliflower.

[@do4699]

I'm surprised that you don't have quick maturing cabbage on your list.

[@SusansInTheGarden]

Yes, that's a great idea! I'm out of cabbage seeds so I didn't think to include them. Thanks.

[@dustyflats3832]

@@SusansInTheGardenlol, and I’m finding I plant too many as there is only so much I can do with it.

[@lindykidder4698]

I harvested some turnips and carrots this past spring and had some holes in it. Is that worms? So how do I treat pest that attacks my root crops( turnips and carrots).

[@SusansInTheGarden]

Yes, those were probably caused by root maggots, which I know sounds disgusting. Here are some tips to avoid that happening again next year: 1. Don't plant root crops in the same area, if that works for your garden. 2. Don't use manures in the soil as that attracts both the adult flies and their larvae. 3. Always clean up plant debris by the end of the season so they won't overwinter in it and cause problems next year. 4. Consider covering your seeds as soon as you plant them with floating row cover. That will keep the flies away and works because the carrots and turnips don't need to be pollinated. 5. You also can sprinkle some wood ashes or diatomaceous earth (available at garden centers) around the base of the plants. I hope this helps!

[@dustyflats3832]

I’ve heard the carrot fly doesn’t fly very high and raised beds could help if you are growing in ground. They say to thin carrots when it rains to lessen the scent that draws them in. We’ve had them also growing in ground.

[@brianbarker2670]

Good information Susan. You mentioned that it can be too hot for peas right now. Is that for sprouted plants or does the heat adversely affect germination?

[@SusansInTheGarden]

Hi, Brian. Great question! Heat adversely affects both seed germination and how sprouted plants grow. The main problem is that it reduces the moisture in the soil, which in turns makes it more difficult for seeds the sprout. But hot temperatures puts stress on the seedlings of cool-season crops, which can cause those the plants to bolt to seed rather than go through their normal growth process.

[@susi1550]

Susan, would you consider for next fall seeding and planting over winter purple sprouting broccoli? I'm in Boise. We've grown this the last 4 yrs, to have a wonderful harvest during the hunger gap. I'm curious because the varieties I've grown say down to approximately 15°f. We have made it to almost 0°f with minimal protection. It would be fun to watch your progress on KZbin. Vary little to no information about this variety in the US on KZbin.

[@SusansInTheGarden]

Hi, Susi. I'm afraid I haven't had any experience growing purple sprouting broccoli because our winters are too cold here in Spokane. It sounds like you might be able to pull it off, with a bit of row cover once the temperatures really start to drop. Good luck!

[@HelenT-xv6zm]

My zone is 7a-7b, I had wonderful success with Cascadia peas. They are a treat. We are trying to figure what works for us as some things are totally disappointing. Had what looked to be a really good potato crop but mice came in and ate it all, except for 1 bucket that I grew leftover potatoes in. We got one meal from that, lol.

[@HelenT-xv6zm]

Also, how do those turnips,that you suggest, taste? I think the purple topped ones are beautiful but they have a bitterness that I don’t appreciate.

[@SusansInTheGarden]

Oh, that is so annoying. I'm sorry to hear that.

[@SusansInTheGarden]

We love eating these white turnips raw because they're so crunchy and slightly sweet. But they're also wonderful when cooked and mashed. I add some sage leaves to the dish.

[@HelenT-xv6zm]

@@SusansInTheGarden That sounds yummy. Thank you. I really enjoy your videos.

[@dustyflats3832]

@@SusansInTheGardenthx, I just ordered some to try.

[@nicolechew1029]

Good morning Susan! I was wondering what the tallest is that you've ever made your black poly tubing hoops. I'm having critter pressure, and they're eating my entire vegetable garden! I want to net my bed, but I have a couple of things on trellises that are about 3 ft tall. Do you think the black poly hoops will hold up at that height? Thank you so much for all of your great videos and knowledge!! 😊

[@SusansInTheGarden]

Hi, Nicole. Well, that is really frustrating. I believe the black poly sprinkler pipe would be sturdy enough at that height but you'll want to give them a bit of support. By that, I mean pounding in some rebar stakes to slip the hoops onto. You'd probably want to use stakes that are about 2 to 2 1/2' tall. I hope this helps.

[@DavidBrown-vx6fb]

Do you plant mustard greens?

[@SusansInTheGarden]

They are certainly an option for fall gardens but I'm not going to be planting them this year.