What will be in your fall garden?

[Bandit26]

For the first time I got a great jump on my spring/summer garden that I'm considering doing a fall garden.

What does everyone like to grow for the fall? In zone 5/6 here and can keep things going to probably Mid Oct.. later if I move them into the greenhouse

 

[Chuck]

Here in Tx we have a 365 season. I have just planted brocolli, cauliflower and brussel sprout seeds and will set out about the first of Sept. About Oct 1 I will sow carrots, beets, lettuce, collards, chard etc. In Nov. if the soil is cool enough I will plant spinach. In Jan I will plant a second planting of everything I have previously planted and then in late March I will plant all of the spring vegetables and hope for rain in the meantime

 

[Bandit26]

I wish I could plant all year round.. by Jan 1 I'll probably have at least 2 feet of snow covering the garden

 

[Chuck]

I wish I could plant all year round.. by Jan 1 I'll probably have at least 2 feet of snow covering the garden

Yeah I know. But you can get a BIG start on the spring planting if you will fertilize and layer your planting beds with compost before the first freeze. You will be surprised at what this does especially if you use an overdose of molasses

 

[Whitewolf2578]

Carrots, lettuce and spinach most likely, I have my pumpkins already in so I am good to go. I am not much of a fall grower though. But I figured I would try Spinach again as I planted it earlier and it got way to hot and just ended up flowering out no matter how much I trimmed it up.

 

[Shellyann36]

Broccoli, cabbage, turnips and greens, collards, carrots, onions and peas. I am not sure how the carrots, onions and peas will go but I want to see if I can over winter them. I will also be adding some garlic rows as well.

 

[Rhondi]

Yeah I know. But you can get a BIG start on the spring planting if you will fertilize and layer your planting beds with compost before the first freeze. You will be surprised at what this does especially if you use an overdose of molasses

I'm planning on lettuces, collards and possibly carrots.

What do you mean "overdose of molasses"?

 

[Chuck]

I'm planning on lettuces, collards and possibly carrots.

What do you mean "overdose of molasses"?

Normally molasses is mixed 1-2 oz per gallon of water but when putting your garden to sleep for the winter you should use a higher concentration, I use 4 oz per gallon when I am over wintering. Lets take tomatoes, I determine exactly where my tomato plants will be planted. I will dig up about 2 shovels of dirt for each plant and put this dirt into a wheelbarrow. Then I mix in 2 cups of organic fertilizer and 2 cups of compost and then refill the holes. On top of each of these refilled holes I put a shovel of compost and on top of this I give it a good soaking of the molasses and then cover it with a thick layer of mulch. When tomato planting time comes I just spread the mulch aside and plant my tomato plant. You will be amazed at the lightness of the soil and how fast your tomato plants or what ever you wish to plant grows. If you are doing row crops in the spring it is basically the same thing but instead of digging a hole with a shovel you use a rake and incorporate the compost and fertilizer with that. Then add a good layer of compost and thourghly wet with the molasses

 

[Rhondi]

Very interesting! I can't imagine that I can use this for ALL my plants though (?) Do you know what the elements are that the molasses is adding? Since some plants need more of one thing than another, it would seem like this might leave some plants with too much of something or not enough of something else?

 

[claudine]

I'm always very busy during fall, because this is when a new semester begins, so I have to study. I'm a university student.
I don't plant anything, I spend September harvesting walnuts We have three really big walnut trees in our garden

 

[Chuck]

Very interesting! I can't imagine that I can use this for ALL my plants though (?) Do you know what the elements are that the molasses is adding? Since some plants need more of one thing than another, it would seem like this might leave some plants with too much of something or not enough of something else?

Mainly what molasses adds is carbohydrates which helps the microorganisms break down the organic matter in the soil thus allowing the plants to uptake the micro nutrients that the microorganisms provide. Also molasses provides a little nitrogen and a host of minerals.. Many years ago my parents had a vegetable farm and we used the residue from the production of Dr Pepper. This was before molasses was found to be so effective plus it was free We sprayed it and we poured it on just about everything and it worked wonders.
Molasses is not a fertilizer. It does not feed the plant. The nutrients in the soil feed the plants. All molasses does is enhance and magnify the growth of the microorganisms which in turn turns organic matter into micronutrients which feeds the plants. And yes, you can use molasses on every plant in your garden

 

[Raff_Out_Loud]

Considering I grow in pots on my small apartment patio I'm amazed I can squeeze 7 varieties of usable plants. But this year I've been trying new things so who knows, I may try to shove a couple more pots into the mix.

I have broccoli seeds already, probably do another round of carrots and leeks (both growing now) and maybe a winter squash (who knows, the zucchini growing now might still be producing up to early winter. )

I live in Reno. It's difficult to say how long I'll be able to keep the garden going... it will either not get to freezing temperatures until mid-January or it'll start snowing early, like closer to Halloween than Thanksgiving.

 

[Shellyann36]

Normally molasses is mixed 1-2 oz per gallon of water but when putting your garden to sleep for the winter you should use a higher concentration, I use 4 oz per gallon when I am over wintering. Lets take tomatoes, I determine exactly where my tomato plants will be planted. I will dig up about 2 shovels of dirt for each plant and put this dirt into a wheelbarrow. Then I mix in 2 cups of organic fertilizer and 2 cups of compost and then refill the holes. On top of each of these refilled holes I put a shovel of compost and on top of this I give it a good soaking of the molasses and then cover it with a thick layer of mulch. When tomato planting time comes I just spread the mulch aside and plant my tomato plant. You will be amazed at the lightness of the soil and how fast your tomato plants or what ever you wish to plant grows. If you are doing row crops in the spring it is basically the same thing but instead of digging a hole with a shovel you use a rake and incorporate the compost and fertilizer with that. Then add a good layer of compost and thourghly wet with the molasses

Now that is interesting to know. I have never heard of it before. I will have to look up exactly what the molasses does to the soil and show the information to hubby. Thanks Chuck!

 

[Chuck]

Now that is interesting to know. I have never heard of it before. I will have to look up exactly what the molasses does to the soil and show the information to hubby. Thanks Chuck!

I did a little summation of Molasses in the Organic Gardening forum here named Molasses The Wonder Drug. Might check it out and if you have any more questions I will try to help