Fall mimics coastal weather in much of the Bay Area, allowing us to grow cool weather crops during September, October and November and to overwinter some of them until Spring. Fall is the time to plant the Mustard (Cabbage) family vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, collards and kale, as well as peas, carrots, beets and leafy greens. Many of our favorite herbs thrive during this period as well and don’t forget to intercrop with flowers.
Webinar Outline
Vegetable Garden
Soil Preparation
Rebuild soil with compost and manure and use a balanced fertilizer
In containers, use a good potting soil and refresh with compost and manure, fertilizer
Triage the Summer plants like tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, short-lived greens, bin the non- performers to make room for soil preparation and Fall crops.
Brassicas (Mustard/Cabbage family)
Broccoli, Cauliflower, Collards, Kale, Brussels Sprouts, Kohlrabi, Mizuna, various
Mustards
Prefer cooler weather, can tolerate cold nights
Nutritious, need well-drained, rich soil, full sun (6 hours/day)
Kale
Toscano (also called Dinosaur or Lacinato)
Red Russian, Scarlet
Blue Vates (sometimes called a Collard)
Broccoli
Plant in September and again in early to mid-Spring
“Early” 60-70 days, “Overwintering” 90-120 days
Brussels Sprouts
August is ideal time to plant for Christmas harvest
September latest, takes about 100 days
Leafy Greens
Throughout the Fall, into Winter, Lettuce, Kale, Swiss Chard, Mizuna, Mustards,
Arugula (a quick, 30-day crop, so keep planting regularly)
Peas
Plant snap, sugar, and shelling peas now for Winter/Spring crop. Easy to start seeds.
Root Crops
Carrots, Beets, Turnips now
Hardy Herbs
Sage, Parsley, Cilantro, Chives, Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano, Marjoram, Mint
Ideal time to plant berries, start looking for fruit trees
Flowers that bloom through Fall into Winter
Alyssum
Calendula
Chrysanthemum
Aster
Salvia gregii
Primula (primroses)
Sweet Pea
Cyclamen (shade)
Winter/Spring blooming shrubs/vines
Camellia
Azalea
Rhododendron
Pink jasmine
Hardenbergia (Happy Wanderer vine)
General Ornamental Garden
Clean up, trim spring/summer flowering shrubs/trees.
Fertilize with 0-10-10 if you have been fertilizing with a nitrogen fertilizer throughout the growing season, or use a balanced fertilizer, i.e., 5-5-5, if you haven’t fertilized much. At least 2 months to go before rain, so check the irrigation to make sure it is functioning as you want. These are the most stressful dry months. Think about fire protection, trees, shrubs not touching the house, limbing up trees, making a true zone 1 around the house.
References:
Pam Peirce, Golden Gate Gardening, 30th Anniversary Ed., 2023, Sasquatch Books, Seattle WA
Mel Bartholomew, All New Square Foot Gardening, 2006, Cool Springs Press, Brentwood TN
