October 06, 2008
Well, this is it, this is what we have been waiting for ..FALL! Yes wonderful fall here in the desert. It’s time for home gardeners to rejoice that now we have 8 glorious months of perfect weather to plant in our gardens to our hearts content. Forgive me for being so enthusiastic, but, I am glad summer is finally over. You should now be planting your fall garden.
NOW IS THE TIME! Your cool season transplants are arriving at the local nurseries and you can get your seed in the ground. If you are not sure what to plant here in the desert, most competent nurseries can direct you on what grows well here this time of year.
Here are some tips of how to keep your garden healthy and long producing.
1. Keep Picking. Don’t give up and leave your leafy vegetables. Pick the outer leaves and that will stimulate growth.
2. Water regularly. Vegetables need regular,consistent watering. Going too long between watering results in diseases like blossom end rot, cracking and bitter tasting vegetables. Plants need water too, just like us humans. Allowing the plant to dry out stresses it and result in poor yields.
3. Control insects & diseases. Stop problems before they get out of hand.
4. Feed your plants lightly. A tablespoon or two of Miracle-Gro in 5 gallons of water every 3 weeks goes a long way to nourish your plants.
5. Let the sun shine in. Make sure the vegetables are getting enough sunlight. The sun is further south during the winter months, so be sure you plant your vegetables where they can get maximum sun. Most vegetables ripen faster in more sunlight and have a better tasting flavor.
6. Weed. It’s easy to let things slide, but weeds like good soil as much as our vegetables. Letting them grow rob your vegetables of the nutrients that they need. Get rid of them as soon as they appear. A good rule of thumb is “A weed is a plant out of place in your garden”.
7. Succession Planting. Plant your vegetables about 2 weeks apart. If your want lettuce all season plant one row in two weeks plant another row and so on..Just an example!
Now is the time to get out and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Experiment with new varieties and try things you have not grown before. It is good for the stress in your life.
Good luck and good planting! May the Force be with you!!!
Farmer Darrell
[ ] Posted on 10.06.08 under Farmer Darrell's Tips
6 comments for Farmer Darrell’s October Gardening Tips
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October 06, 2008 at 8:43 pm
[...] Farmer Darrell’s October Gardening Tips [...]
October 07, 2008 at 9:59 am
Great post, thanks! I’ve been trying desperately to get to soaking my seeds so I can transplant them outdoors. It just seems by the time I’ve got the time to do it, I’m too pooped to try and figure out what the heck I”m supposed to be doing;, and how to organize and keep track of what I’m soaking. I’m hoping I’ll have a crop this fall….if I ever plant the seeds
YOu keep me inspired. Thanks!
October 08, 2008 at 11:14 pm
Hi Mary, I know that trying to organize a garden can be a chore. Remember to take little steps, rather than trying to tackle the whole garden at once.
Find a vegetable you like best and say plant one or two rows. The next day another row and before you know it..Viola.. Your garden is done!
Planting a garden is sort of like raising kids, I guess. Planting it and watching it grow. Then picking and eating your first vegetable you grew all by yourself is a reward like no other. Good luck! You can do it! Farmer Darrell
October 09, 2008 at 6:00 am
I have been enjoying this website, thank you for putting it together! I have an 8 year old son, and we are in charge of a new raised vegetable garden this year. We have it located against the west wall of our back yard. I actually have a couple of questions. If I get some 9 month old steer manure this weekend & put it in how long do I need to wait before I actually plant? Do I need to keep the soil moist during this time? And…for planting this time of year, what “kid” friendly (new gardener friendly) vegetable plants do you recomend? And…one more thing, tomatoes? This time of year? Will that work & how?
I know, lots of questions!! Thank you for your time, much appreciated
syndie & ryder
October 09, 2008 at 8:55 am
Hi Syndie, You have raised a couple of good questions. Get enough manure to spread it about 3-4 inches thick on top of your soil and dig it in about 9-10 inches deep. If you have some mulch, dig it in at the same time. You should have something else besides manure in your garden. Manure provides organic matter and a small percentage of nitrogen in your soil. Mulch will keep your soil loose and retain water. The reason you don’t want to much manure is it contains a slight degree of salt, and urea which adds to the soil and takes time to leach out. So, that being said, try using a 50/50 mixture of manure and mulch for your soil. After you dig this in, then water your soil and try to keep wet for about a week. Let your soil dry for 3-4 days after that and then turn it again. With out getting to complicated, there are aerobic and anerobic organisms in your soil that turn your manure and mulch into useable nutrients for your plants. Now you are ready to plant.
The one greatest thing for a kid friendly vegetable are radishes. While they might not be taste friendly, you can plant them and they will be up in a week. Litttle kids are not as patient as us big kids and you can have fast results.
Carrots are always a big hit too, however they take a little longer to produce. Remember with carrots you can pick and eat them when they are little as well as big. My grandkids always have a great time pulling up thier own veggies and eating them right out of the garden. I hope this gave you some insight to your questions..Good luck, you have a great adventure ahead of you!, Farmer Darrell
October 09, 2008 at 9:13 am
Syndie, sorry I got so envolved about answering your question about soil, I clean forgot about the tomato question. Right now forget about tomatoes.
Here in the desert the days are getting shorter and the nights longer.
Tomatoes need warm soil and warm temptures to produce fruit. Stick to cool season things like beets, carrots, letttuce, cabbage, broccli, etc.
Save tomatoes, squash, corn,peppers and melons for spring. February 15 is the target day for tomatoes around here. I will explain in detail in future gardening tips. We do tend to get frost here from the middle of December until the first of February and it will wipe out your tomatoes. So ,although they will look good in your garden for awhile , you will not get the yeilds from them that you will get in the spring. Farmer Darrell