I've just started gardening this year in May and live in gardening zone 7b. I've set up raised beds and planted a variety of veggies like cucumbers, eggplant, tomatoes, and a few others, but some of my crops, like broccoli and beans, didn't turn out well. Recently, I've planted more cucumbers, radishes, and watermelon, hoping to harvest something before the frost hits. I'm curious about what plants or strategies others use for the fall and winter months. Do gardeners typically do nothing during this time, or do they specifically plant fall crops? If it's nothing, do you just clear everything out when it starts to look bad?
2 Answers
You're actually a bit late for watermelon and cucumbers since they need around 85 days to mature. But don't worry; you can still plant plenty of fall crops! Consider direct sowing carrots, peas, daikon radish, beets, and cilantro. You can also transplant broccoli, kale, and cauliflower. These varieties can thrive in the cooler months, so there's still time to maximize your garden!
For fall, I love planting cool-season crops like kale and lettuce. Garlic is also a great option to plant in the fall for a summer harvest. One thing I've noticed is that bok choy tends to do better in the fall for planting than in spring. If you're in 7b, kale can survive the frost, and in some cases, it even lasts through winter! You should definitely give those a try.