What to plant in your garden… now!
A few folks from the Beach 91 Community Garden reached out to me with a great question: “What can I plant in the fall?” There are many cold-weather crops we can plant for harvest before the frost, especially now in late September, as well as options for early summer harvests. It’s a common misconception that our growing season here in NYC is short. Learning beyond the typical spring-summer vegetable plantings is a fun challenge. You will become a better gardener for it. Wanna give it a try?
Make soups or sautées with home-grown swiss chard. Plant now!
For late fall harvest until the frost:
Leaf Lettuce: Sow leaf lettuce seeds directly in the garden or containers now. Water, keeping the area moist until you see the first sprouts. Continue watering as needed. Harvest 30 days after planting. Lettuces prefer full sun to partial shade and the plants will thrive under these conditions through the first frost.
Swiss Chard: Plant swiss chard seeds in the soil and water regularly. This red leafy green prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Regular watering is essential to keep the soil moist for a productive crop. After about 50 days it’s time to harvest.
Spinach: Sow spinach seeds directly into the soil. Keep moist. Spinach likes full sun but can tolerate some shade, making it versatile for different garden spots. To promote strong roots, water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Harvest young leaves 30-40 days after planting for the best flavor.
Note: Harvest greens by clipping leaves from the base and moving upwards. Do not clip all leaves. This allows the plant to continue to absorb sunlight and produce more.
Radishes: Plant radish seeds directly in the garden and they will be ready for harvest 25 days after planting. Radishes require full sun for optimal growth and keeping the soil evenly moist is important, particularly during dry spells. This guide will produce crisp, tasty roots!
Sow leaf lettuce seeds directly in the garden or containers now. Water, keeping the area moist until you see the first sprouts.
Plant Now, Harvest Later:
Garlic: Plant garlic cloves in the fall, about 4-6 weeks before the ground freezes for a harvest in mid-summer. Garlic thrives in full sun and needs well-drained soil. Water at planting and then let nature do the rest. I have a full how-to on garlic planting and harvesting. Snap the QR code to learn more.
Shallots and Onions: Sow bulb sets in the fall and harvest in late summer when the leaves die back. Shallots and onions prefer full sun and benefit from consistent watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings to promote healthy development. You can ignore them in the cold winter months and continue watering in the spring.
Spring-Flowering Bulbs: Plant bulbs in the fall, 6-8 weeks before the ground freezes (which is now!) to enjoy beautiful blooms in the spring. Gardening teaches us patience. Most spring bulbs prefer full sun, though some can tolerate part shade. Water them when planting, then let natural rainfall do the rest. Try these: Crocuses, the first to bloom (plant 3 inches deep); next are Daffodils (6 inches deep); followed by Easter Hyacinths (4-6 inches deep); early summer Tulips (6-8 inches deep); and finally, the towering Alliums (5 inches deep).
For more on gardening know-how, follow me in the garden year-round on Instagram – @theglorifiedtomato.
