- Aug. 7, 2023
Late-Season Vegetables: Plant Again Now for an Abundant Fall Harvest
As the warm days of summer come to a close, gardening enthusiasts have the perfect opportunity to extend their growing season and enjoy a bountiful harvest. Late-season vegetables present an exciting chance to revive your garden and keep it thriving well into the fall. Here are some of the benefits of planting late-season vegetables, along with a list of our favourite varieties for Powell River’s climate and some essential tips for a successful fall harvest.
Benefits of Planting Late-Season Vegetables in Powell River
As if gathering delicious homegrown crops wasn’t enough incentive, here are a few more benefits of fall planting to get you excited!
Extend Your Growing Season
Late-season vegetables allow gardeners to continue their gardening journey and prolong their harvest even as summer comes to an end. By planting certain crops in late summer, you can take advantage of the season’s final warm days and encourage your plants to produce well into the fall.
Better Quality
Fall brings milder temperatures, which are ideal for growing certain vegetables that don’t appreciate the summer heat. Cooler weather can enhance the flavours of certain crops, making your harvest even more delicious and rewarding.
Fewer Pests and Diseases
Late-season planting means less of those pesky pests and diseases that are prevalent during the peak growing season. Many troublesome insects decrease in numbers as the temperatures drop, giving your plants a better chance to thrive and resulting in a more bountiful harvest.
Less Watering
Cooler temperatures and increased rain during the fall often mean less demand for watering. This natural advantage can ease your gardening chores and help conserve water resources.
The Best Late-Season Vegetables for Powell River
Here are some of our favourite late-season vegetables that are perfectly suited to Powell River’s climate. Plant these varieties now for a late fall harvest that is both delicious and plentiful:
Brassicas
Cabbage, kale, broccoli, and cauliflower are all hardy brassica varieties that flourish in Powell River’s cooler fall temperatures. Start your brassica seedlings indoors and transplant them into your garden around mid-August for a plentiful harvest in the coming months.
Root Vegetables
Root crops like carrots, beets, turnips, and radishes appreciate the cooler weather. These vegetables also store well after harvesting, making them an excellent addition to your pantry for the winter.
Greens
You can sow lettuce, spinach, arugula, and Swiss chard seeds directly into the soil or transplant them as seedlings during late summer. They grow quickly and make nutritious additions to your fall meals.
Peas
Like the leafy greens listed above, peas can also be sown in late summer for a second round of delicious pods. Choose quickly maturing varieties like sugar snap peas to ensure a timely harvest.
Onions and Garlic
Plant onion sets and garlic cloves in the late summer or early fall for a robust harvest the following year. They will establish their root systems before winter, resulting in a hearty yield come spring.
Tips for a Successful Fall Harvest
If you’re ready to start planting for a super fall harvest this year, here’s how to guarantee some amazing results!
1. Choose the Right Location
Select a spot in your garden with good drainage and ample sunlight for your late-season vegetables. Raised beds are particularly good for late-season veggie patches, as they warm up faster and provide better drainage.
2. Soil Preparation
Well-prepared soil will give your plants the best start, so prepare your garden’s soil by removing any debris, weeds, and rocks and incorporating organic matter like compost to improve its fertility and structure.
3. Watering and Mulching
Keep your soil consistently moist, especially during the early stages of your vegetables’ growth, and mulch around your plants to help regulate your soil’s temperature, suppress weed growth, and retain moisture.
4. Protect from Frost
As fall progresses, be prepared for the possibility of frost. Covering your plants with frost cloth or old bedsheets in the evenings can help protect them on chilly nights.
5. Consider Cold Frames or Greenhouses
If you’re eager to extend your growing season and harvest even further, consider investing in a cold frame or greenhouse. These structures provide added protection against colder temperatures, allowing you to grow a wider variety of vegetables well into late fall and even early winter.
Late-season vegetables offer a wonderful opportunity for Powell River gardeners to continue their passion and enjoy a plentiful fall vegetable harvest. We at Mother Nature hope you embrace the magic of fall gardening and are here for all of your planting and harvesting needs any time of the year. Happy planting, we look forward to seeing you soon!
