Why Plant Cold Crops in Late Summer
Plant cold crops in the late summer and they will produce throughout fall and winter. Leafy fall crops taste better in the fall as the cooler temperatures release simple sugars in the plant making them sweeter. Also, once temperatures get cooler there are less pest to deal with.
Watch for the Cabbage White Butterfly
The Cabbage White butterfly has been prevalent this season and it is best to treat your plants with an insecticide that gets caterpillars. Just spray the leaves and small stems. Plants to treat to prevent an infestation are cabbage, kale, collards, broccoli, spinach, and any others that you spot the little green looper caterpillar eating. BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) works well in getting the green looper and is organic.
Site Selection and Planting Method
Best if planted out of winter winds and in part to full sun.
Transplants work well or you can plant seeds in early August directly in the soil but, understand soil temperature is the indicator of germination and they prefer cooler soil to do so. Cold crops that prefer cooler soil may not emerge for a time.
Planting Information
| Variety | Plant / Seed Spacing | Time to Start | Yield per 10' Row |
| Beet | 3" apart / seed | July | 14 lb. |
| Broccoli | 15" apart / transplant | July, August | 8 heads |
| Brussels Sprouts | 18" apart / transplant | July, August | 5 lb. |
| Cabbage | 18" apart / transplant | July, August | 7 heads |
| Chinese Cabbage | 18" apart / transplant | July | 10 heads |
| Carrots | 3" apart / seed or transplant | July | 10 lb. |
| Cauliflower | 24" apart / transplant | July / early August | 5 heads |
| Chard | 6" apart / seed or transplant | August | 20 plants |
| Collards | 18" apart / transplant or seed | July, August | 10 lb. |
| Mustard Greens | 12" apart / seed or transplant | August | 10 lb. |
| Kale | 15" apart / seed or transplant | July, August | 40 lb. |
| Leeks | 3" apart / transplant | August | 15 heads |
| Lettuce, Leaf | 8" apart / seed or transplant | August, September | 15 heads |
| Radish | 1" apart / seed or transplant | August, September | 60 roots |
| Rhubarb | 36" apart / crowns | Perennial | 20 stalks |
| Rutabagas | 4" apart / seed or transplant | July, August | 15 lb. |
| Spinach | 4" apart / seed or transplant | September | 7 lb. |
| Turnips | 4" apart / seed or transplant | September, October | 15 lb. |
Soil Prep and Fertilizing Fall Crops
With fall crops being root crops make sure that your soil mixed nicely to the depth of six inches.
Apply a fertilizer lower in Nitrogen, higher in Phosphorous and Potassium to root crops and one higher in Nitrogen and slightly lower in Phosphorous and Potassium, such as Espoma Garden-tone, on leafy crops. Keep in mind micro-nutrients should be included in fall fertilizers.
Succession Planting Tips
Plant fast growers like lettuce weekly so you have it available for longer harvest. Stagger turnip plantings as they will grow for most of the winter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do fall crops taste sweeter than crops grown in warmer months?
Cooler fall temperatures release simple sugars in the plant, which makes leafy fall crops taste sweeter than they would in the heat of summer.
How do I get rid of the Cabbage White butterfly on my vegetables?
Treat plants with an insecticide that targets caterpillars, spraying the leaves and small stems. BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) works well against the green looper caterpillar and is an organic option.
When should I start seeds versus transplants for fall crops?
Both work well. If direct seeding in early August, keep in mind that soil temperature drives germination, and cold crops that prefer cooler soil may take longer to emerge than expected.
What fertilizer is best for fall root crops versus leafy crops?
Root crops do best with a fertilizer lower in Nitrogen and higher in Phosphorous and Potassium, while leafy crops benefit from a fertilizer higher in Nitrogen and slightly lower in Phosphorous and Potassium. Micro-nutrients should be included in fall fertilizers either way.
Should I plant all my lettuce at once?
No, plant fast growers like lettuce on a weekly schedule instead of all at once, so you have a continuous harvest over a longer period.
